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Posted by jojo_MN on 11/15/18 9:35pm
This is a new one for me. Would like your opinion before I consider my options.
A few years ago I was told by an attorney to NEVER give signing services private information about the signers including drivers license information etc. Many signing services have said that they already have the social security number if they have the documents that are forwarded to us. When I mentioned this to the attorney, he stated that adding the drivers license information can lend to identity theft and I could be held accountable for giving the information, so I have always refused to send the information.
Now, there is a signing service that does not see the documents, just arranges for the notary. The documents are sent directly from the CLIENT for the customer to sign. This SS requires that the personal information is sent to them after the closing as well as a thumbprint. In addition, they want a copy of the drivers license.
I have done business with this company for a couple years thinking they were the processor so I sent the required documentation. When I received an email with an order recently I was told that a copy of the drivers license needs to be sent to me in addition to the CLIENT. That started to raise red flags to me so I called the contact and asked if they are processing the order or just the signing service. He stated "the signing service".
I asked WHY does he need this information if he is just a signing service and repeated to him about what the attorney told me. He said that he keeps a file with all the customers and if for some reason there are questions about the identity that they have proof that the customer was identified and they have the drivers license copy to prove it as well as the thumbprint. Needless to say, I was not happy with that answer considering the CLIENT has the originals of both so why would they need a signing service to provide a scanned copy. Also, it is on the notary to provide this proof anyway.
Since I refused to send this information, they started harassing the customer to send this information directly to them after I refused to go back to the customer and get another copy of dl and thumbprint. They went on to tell the customer that the CLIENT would take back their property if they didn't comply. When they refused, the SS called me again and demanded that I go back out and get it or the CLIENT would take the customer's property. I called the customer (was not going to go back out) and he said I called the wrong number, then called me back and wanted to know what was going on and he was going to call the police because we were running a scam and proceeded to tell me what the SS told him . I said no, that I would take care of it. I also said that I am not an attorney, but I could guarantee that they wouldn't have their property taken back. Note: The property was paid for in cash.
What is your opinion? Should I have complied with this and sent the SS the requested information against the attorney's advice. Obviously, I will no longer do business for this company. TIA |
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