How many times do you use Babysitting Services?

[NotUrsula]

"Bonded" is normally a reference to a surety bond posted by a third party to cover losses due to cover vandalism or theft of private property. When your housecleaner or your plumber is bonded, the idea is that they can be trusted not to rip you off if they are left alone in your home. It is a type of insurance.
Note that it normally only covers property crimes, and is designed to pay replacement value of whatever is lost or damaged. Normally hotels will require bonding of any third-party employee allowed to work inside their guest rooms.

Generally, people with a criminal record or a record of drug abuse will not be able to be bonded. A Bonding agency will do a VERY thorough background check, not just a check for convictions. They also pull credit records, phone records, tax records, etc.

Also, just can't resist the rhetorical question about strangers and your life savings. Every one of us who uses a bank or brokerage firm does that every single day. At any such organization, there are many people who have the power and expertise to move your money; but most of the time their professional ethics and their fear of getting caught stop them from doing so.