… big part of the problem here is that you went to a signing without confirmation from the borrower. Been there down that. Never again. Tho nothing as horrible happened to me as what you experienced. Still, we're just stepping into a potential minefield. In my experience, no, they weren't expecting me. They either didn't want the loan or didn't want to apply anymore. And had told everybody that and therefore didn't bother to call me back cos they assumed I had been told not to come. I call these spaghetti signings. The lender is throwing something against the wall, hoping it will stick and that the notary will bring it home. I do not show up at people's houses unless the borrowers confirm they are expecting me. It's just not safe. And your experience proved that. I'm so sorry what you went through. It's not right for some LO to expect us to just knock on some door, hoping somebody will answer while we haven't even had a phone call to at least tell them our name. Really? How unprofessional. Are we selling magazine subscriptions door to door or actually have an appt and are expected?
I realize all too well the pressure on us to "just show up." SSs and LOs lie to us, tell us the borrower is "expecting us." That it's already "confirmed." Yeah, sure. Just like your borrower was "expecting" you. Then before you knew what happened, you're caught up in major family dysfunction with some idiot girlfriend screaming at you and some bully who all but physically assaulted you, grabbing at the docs and holding your car door open while you were trying to leave. Yikes! And if you had called the police, which you had every right to do, the SS and LO would have blamed you for overreacting and embarrassing the lender, losing a client, etc. etc. I now turn down flat any signing where I am told just show up.
Fortunately, several prominent SSs instruct "don't print docs until you've confirmed with borrowers." They do this cos they don't want to pay a print fee. Certainly not because they're concerned about our safety. So, if borrower never confirms, we're off the hook!
BTW: You said you told the title company it was not their fault, and possibly not the lender's fault. In my opinion, unless you happily and freely went despite no confirmation, then you went because you knew they'd throw a fit if you just didn't "show up" like they pressure us to do. So, yes, it was their fault, and they can act all concerned about what happened to you, but if you hadn't gone, they'd probably be yelling at you. Can't win. Only we can look out for ourselves. And Bodley had many great ways to stay safe. |
