Posted by anotaryinva on 8/9/12 12:05pm
Msg #429888

GNW

I received an email yesterday from someone, let's say Sally, via activerain looking to get a couple of docs notarized. I replied back to her to try her bank or the UPS store. I get an email back at midnight that she is in a wheelchair and from what I could figure out she is in the basement of a home close by.

I emailed her back that I was going in that direction today and I could stop by on the way out or the way back at 111am or 12:30pm.

She just emailed me and told me to let myself in through the garage and come downstairs.

While i feel bad about her circumstances I'm not comfortable walking into a strangers house without being let in.

What would you do?

Reply by CopperheadVA on 8/9/12 12:09pm
Msg #429889

Nope, I personally would not do it.

Reply by Priscilla Witman on 8/9/12 12:13pm
Msg #429891

I would personally feel very, very uncomfortable with the whole situation. Maybe it's just me, but the whole thing smells very weird. At any rate, I wouldn't just let myself in. Who knows what you're walking into. Not that I wouldn't want to help, but I have to think of my own personal safety first.

Reply by Karla/OR on 8/9/12 12:21pm
Msg #429892

This is a difficult situation at best. If safety is your concern, I'm with you. Understanding that a professional notary does not take another person to a signing with them, this is one of the few instances that I personally would (male friend or relative)!! I believe in being safe than sorry. I would be sure to get the signers permission to bring along another person. Sounds like she lives in a basement apartment and perhaps her caregiver/helper is not available to be there OR the signer does not want them to be there!!! Good luck.

Reply by anotaryinva on 8/9/12 12:40pm
Msg #429897

Thanks, now I don't feel quite as guilty not going. I wish she had called me, I gave her both of my numbers. I'm going to email her back and let her know I'd be happy to come some other time when my husband can come with me.

Reply by Belinda/CA on 8/9/12 12:51pm
Msg #429899

Or it could be a boogyman. You have no idea if this person is in a wheelchair although they may well be in a basement... Wasn't it Bundy who got women to help him by pretending to have a broken arm or other handicap? You don't even know if this is a woman writing you.
AnD, how the heck did a wheelchair person get into the basement and can't get out. Sounds like a real fire hazard to me! I can't believe people on the board aren't telling you to report this. :o)

We are not obliged to walk into the unknown. You do not need the money on this one. No way.

Also, if I feel the need, I do not ask a GNW person if I can bring someone along. I just do. I have them stand back from the door in full sight while the signer answers. If they should be uncomfortable with it (and they never have been), after I have assessed the situation, my sidekick could wait outside. I have to say, I have never encountered anyone that questioned my sidekick being there and they often think it is very wise.

Reply by RonnieB/NC on 8/9/12 1:29pm
Msg #429902

Agree with you Ms. Belinda. I had a couple called after 9pm, just as I was
getting in from a long day. Now I live in the country you know how it is pitch
dark out there. So, my husband decided to go with me. I was overly glad. Those people
were nice and human.

But In this world we are walking amongst Werewolves,
Vampires, demons and such. I do praise worship in my truck, whenever; I am on the roads.
I pray daily for all of our going outs and comings and for protection against storms, high winds and rain.

We have a good support group system going on this Notary Rotary website. Keep up the good
work sisters and brothers.

Reply by anotaryinva on 8/9/12 4:13pm
Msg #429919

Thanks for all the advice! I really appreciate it.
The lady called me, sounded older, I asked her what it was that she needed notarized. She said it was a will and a medical directive that she made up herself.
I asked her if there was a place for witnesses and she said yes. I asked her if she had witnesses available and she said no she was just going to cross those lines out. I told her I wasn't a lawyer and could not advise her but that I couldn't notarize those docs without the presence of the witnesses.
She said she's moving next week and witnesses will be available.
Pure speculation on my part but I guessing she is leaving one relatives basement for a happier place. I do plan on helping her when I'm back from IN next week with no charge other than the notary fee.

Thanks again, I really do appreciate all valuable input from this forum.

Reply by Karla/OR on 8/9/12 4:39pm
Msg #429926

Thanks for the update - Glad you got to speak with her and I'm feeling you feel more comfortable with her - still be cautious. I sometimes ask myself if I would feel comfortable sending my daughter to the signing or not. That tells me a lot.

I love that you are giving her a reduced fee!!!

Reply by Notary1/CO on 8/9/12 7:51pm
Msg #429947

You can also look up the property address in the online county real estate records to find the owner's name. This would tell you if the home is owned by her or someone else.

If she is leaving the door unlocked, that is a security risk for her.

Reply by MW/VA on 8/10/12 8:21am
Msg #429992

Glad it will all work out in the end. :-) n/m

Reply by RonnieB/NC on 8/9/12 1:01pm
Msg #429900

Please, please listen to Priscilla, Karla and all the other Notaries don't do it.
You know all kind of crazies are out these days. Like some woman that answered
the Craigslist ad for a Babysitting job. The young man was 19 years old and shot her
just for the fun of it. Call the police. Maybe, she is being taken advantage of by a family
member. You never know.

Reply by FeliseSoCal on 8/9/12 2:06pm
Msg #429908

I would not do it.

I would ask her to make arragnements to have someone escort her outside.

Reply by MW/VA on 8/9/12 2:14pm
Msg #429910

No way! That whole thing says "danger" to me. You

have no idea who is sending that email, and someone is using sympathy to draw someone in. Frankly, if you have an address, I think I'd report it to the police.

Reply by SharonMN on 8/9/12 2:29pm
Msg #429911

Re: No way! That whole thing says "danger" to me. You

Apparently, I'm in the minority here, but why is letting yourself in any more dangerous than having someone answer the door? I do agree that general notary work is a bit scarier than loan work, because the person hasn't prequalified and you don't have all their personal info. However, if you DO normally make house calls for general notary work, I don't see why this one is any different. Go, call her when you get there, she'll say "Come on in," enter, notarize, go home.

Reply by MW/VA on 8/9/12 2:32pm
Msg #429912

If you read the OP, this was all done via email, which

is why I said you really have no idea who is sending that. I'd be extra suspicious at the late night emails, too. Yes, if you've spoken with this person on the phone, that might be a different issue. I still think it's a lure! & I'd vote on the side of safety.

Reply by jba/fl on 8/9/12 2:35pm
Msg #429913

The fact it was only email is enough to deter me....esp.

since you gave a phone number and this person has elected not to use it. If you have a computer in the basement, you have a phone as far as I'm concerned.

Reply by Martha/AL on 8/9/12 4:22pm
Msg #429921

Re: The fact it was only email is enough to deter me....esp.

Someone had to give her the forms. I say don't go

Reply by anotaryinva on 8/9/12 4:24pm
Msg #429922

I just posted an update above n/m

Reply by ajd/pa on 8/9/12 6:14pm
Msg #429938

I actually did one like this yesterday. I had been speaking and e-mailing the woman for a few days. I called to tell her that I was on my way but was running a few minutes late. to that she said that the front door would be unlocked and to let myself in. I had some hesitation but I knew the neighborhood where she was so I just said ol. I got to her house and saw a bag attached to the outside door that to me indicated a Meals-on-wheels type service. Turns out the woman was disabled, unable to walk well and so grateful that I was able to come to her house to do this for her. At the end she asked me if I can do her another favor, I said what do you need and she then asked me if I could drop the letter at the post office.
So in the end, some people may actually be just what they say they are and will be very happy that you did this service for them. Another reason that I am happy and proud to be a mobile notary. (I also have anthor one like this scheduled for next week)

Reply by anotaryinva on 8/9/12 6:41pm
Msg #429942

Thanks, that was my first thought

I was just a little bothered that she didn't call me when I gave her my home phone number and cell. I think we all go on 'high alert' rightly so at times.

To me, it's strange that we have to have background checks but our Bo's do not. We walk into all sorts of 'situations' with no protection other than their FICO score and SSN#.

Again, I can't stress enough how much this forum has helped me, thanks Phillip for the $6.95 case of pAper!

Reply by CopperheadVA on 8/9/12 8:34pm
Msg #429958

Re: Thanks, that was my first thought

I think it's smart to stop and think about the safety of a given situation. Most callers are going to be totally benign and are on the up and up, but you just never know. I meet most GNW appointments at Starbucks, but when I do go to someone's home for GNW then I leave the adress and contact info with my family members and tell them when to expect me back. Glad this one turned out to be OK.

Reply by sealed/CA on 8/9/12 11:59pm
Msg #429981

Re: Thanks, that was my first thought

I never schedule GNW through e-mail. I will answer their questions and then ask them to call me if they'd like to schedule an appt. It's important to me to talk to whomever I am dealing with.
That's just me. I'm glad that she eventually called you. : )

Reply by BossLadyMD on 8/10/12 10:52am
Msg #430012

Sounds creepy.... n/m

Reply by NJDiva on 8/10/12 3:53pm
Msg #430043

How much money could you possibly had made from this?

Is it worth your safety? The bottom line is that in this day and age, you can't even go to see a MOVIE without some CRAZY person potentially coming in and mowing you down!!!

Do you have a picture of yourself on your website? How about FB? Any other way for someone to possibly make you a target...and not for any particular reason.

This is really no joke and if people think for one minute, oh, that would never happen to me, it happens to others, I've got news for you...

The way people are getting murdered, attacked, raped, abducted, etc., etc., these days, forget it. Don't be a hero. Psycho's are coming up with new ways to lure and massacre people every day. Wouldn't it be a shame for you to have to be an example for us!!!???

I don't understand why it is even an option. Especially as Marilyn mentioned, if this person can't even call you on the phone...that's a HUGE red flag. Huh uh, no no, never never, no way. Even if it is legit, why does it have to be you? I'm going to assume you're a woman. If so, what would be wrong with allowing a male notary to go?

The road to he** is paved with good intentions.

G*d bless you no matter what decision you make or what happens.

Again I ask you, why does it have to be YOU that goes?