Posted by ANON on 6/6/05 5:55pm
Msg #42748

To all the women notaries...

This is not a sexist thing for I believe men and women are equals but I am really concerned about my wife going out to do signings alone. She hasn't started yet but plans to do so in a month or so. Is there any advice you could give (besides taking a gun with her) that might help her. I know, for the most part, the people she will meet are very respectable but it's the few rotten apples that worry me. (I apologize for using ANON but my wife reads these posts and if she knew I wrote this she would kill me!)

Reply by ERNA_CA on 6/6/05 6:01pm
Msg #42752

I have been doing signings for over two years and I have only been uncomfortable ones. You could go with her when she has to go to a less desirable neighborhood at night, but you are right you are going to meet with regular folks (home owners ) usually a couple husband and wife. I don't think a criminal wanting to do harm to others would use applying for a home loan to do dirty deeds. Best of luck to your wife.

Reply by CAtitlegal on 6/6/05 6:04pm
Msg #42754

Well - aren't you a sweetheart! I'd think it was really special for someone to worry/care for me, like you do your wife, to even take the trouble to post to this board, anonymously or not!

(write to me if you ever get divorced)

For me, I take the normal precautions I'd always take in moving about in public - well lit places, careful about locking doors, looking at my surroundings, etc. I'm very cautious about after hours, when its dark and I have to go to someone's home, and have turned work down if it were in a bad area. Personally, I've never felt it was dangerous, but I can't speak for everyone.

Best of luck to both of you!

Reply by SamIam_CA on 6/6/05 6:05pm
Msg #42755

Try to keep in mind that she is being sent to homes where people have already given all of their personal information several times over to get the paperwork generated for the loan.

If the borrower has premeditated taking advantage of someone it is much more likely that they'd have called for a pizza or 'escort' - not a NSA where several people know the exact whereabouts of the worker and are eagerly waiting for her to return the docs.

That said - I used to sell tactical knives. My advise - don't take a knife to a gun fight. Many many gun owners are killed by their own weapon when the bad guy grabs it from them. In addition, it is poses a very bad situation if the borrowers child ever got into your wife's bag. I take an Israeli fighting class called Krav Maga. It is excellent and I recommend it highly.

Reply by Liz on 6/6/05 6:10pm
Msg #42761

How about have her call you on your cell phone when she walks in, so the borrower knows that someone is keeping tabs on her and knows where she is. No reasonable person would object to somone checking in with their business partner quickly, and confirming that they had arrived at the "smith signing"

Reply by Dana on 6/6/05 7:09pm
Msg #42792

Warn her more regarding DOGS. Even when they say "Oh he won't bite!" Guess what, they do!. Borrowers generally have waited to long to bother us.

Reply by ERNA_CA on 6/6/05 7:15pm
Msg #42793

Thats my biggers worries......BIG DOGS.........I allways ask if there is a big dog on the premises and I do ask that the dog be put somewere it cant get to me or my briefcase

Reply by Merry_CA on 6/6/05 6:10pm
Msg #42760

It is not at all sexist to be concerned for your wife. I carry pepper spray as do others on this forum. One time I was a little concerned about a single man I was doing a signing for... I just mentioned that my husband was waiting in the car for me...

She should keep her cell phone close at hand. I keep mine on vibrate for most signings, but would certainly suggest keeping it on if I was concerned.

If she is going into an area that is questionable... have her call you when she arrives at the signing and when she leaves. If it is over an hour and she hasn't called that the signing is over, CALL HER.

Better safe than sorry! And bless you for being a concerned husband ;)

Reply by Anon on 6/6/05 7:02pm
Msg #42784

Not A Gun! A good self defense course is better. If you carry a gun you better use it or know it can be used on you. Always be prepared and have a plan. A security course will give her lots of good ideas to keep her defenses up. There is a federally funded course given by and for homeland security. I'm not sure how you find out about it but I was fortunate enough to be able to attend one. I also question the local police on there recommendations and Carrying a Gun was on there "No" list. I carry a spray, not peeper spray but one that takes the wind out of your lungs nno matter where you are hit with it and it is recommended. If give you time to defend and leave!

Reply by Anon on 6/6/05 7:05pm
Msg #42788

I have been doing closings for several years and it is always better to be prepared and not let your guard down too much because something could happen even if there is a one in million chance.

Reply by Susan/OH on 6/6/05 7:05pm
Msg #42789

I'm not married but I always let my dad know where my assignments are, borrowers last name, address and phone number just in case anything god forbid would happen otherwise my family would know I was at a closing but none of the specifics. And I have taken someone with me on a few assignments, they always stay in the car.

Reply by ANON on 6/6/05 7:27pm
Msg #42798

All of the replies are very welcomed. I will share these with my wife before she attempts her first signing. I also plan to be with her as much as I can for these signings. However, I'm sure there will be times when that won't be possible so your advise is greatly appreciated.

Reply by Loretta Reed on 6/6/05 9:20pm
Msg #42815

I make it a point to have my husband go with me for closings where there will be a single man only present. Depending on the neighborhood, he either stays in the truck or he will go inside with me.
If he cannot rearrange his schedule to go with me, I call him when I get there and I call him when I leave. If I don't call within 45 minutes after arriving at the home, he will call me.

Reply by db_IL on 6/6/05 11:44pm
Msg #42854

You really can't be too safe these days. But there's still alot of good people around and I like to think they are the ones trying to improve themselves, especially financially.

Just to share a few things I do to make me feel safer. Cuz after a long day at work my husband would accompany me, but this is my gig not his, so I try my best to ask him to come only on rare occasions.

Upon receiving the confirmation sheet from TC/SS I immediately clue into whether there are one or two borrowers. Even during my call to the borrower(if male) I ask "will your wife be on hand during the signing". This lets me know what I'm getting into. If the borrower is a single male, I usually feel OK for daytime/early eve signings. But if the signers a man and during late night, I ask a colleague or (last resort) the cumfy hubby to go with.

Warm welcome to your wife as a new SA!

Reply by Bobbi in CT on 6/7/05 6:43am
Msg #42884

Women traveling NSAs ...

1. Tell spouse where you are going, what time you expect to arrive, what time you expect to leave, and leave him name, address & phone of each appointment and estimated timing.

2. ALWAYS have your cell phone one and at hand. At the table I leave on "manner mode" and only answer if it is a call from the company that sent me to that particular assignment (just my style); others leave the phone on ring to accept new assignments (missed calls often = missed job assignments).

3. Never carry a separate handbag (no fear of having it grabbed or leaving it behind). I keep just my wallet and necessities in my working sachel. The sachel, by nature of our business, is heavy and has both hand and shoulder straps.

4. For nervous spouse, call spouse when reach client's driveway and call spouse when leaving client's driveway (even if it's a message on spouse's cell or home answering machine). Always park your car facing out BEFORE the signing (no need to back out or turn around after the signing).

5. KNOW your neighborhood. I am an INDEPENDENT contractor. There are some areas I choose not to work in or travel to (particularly at night). Leave that work to another NSA - there are more then enough out there and new people entering this industry every day.

6. Clients are leary/nervous, too. They are letting some stranger into their home (sees house contents and any alarm system). That stranger often asks for a copy of their drivers' licenses, has their loan application, and knows where/when they work. Resulting in some clients wanting to meet in a public place or my home office.

Best wishes to your wife. I hope she has a solid business plan and a) is starting out part-time until she gets established or b) has sufficient funds set aside to cover expenses until her business is established and shows a profit.

Reply by TN NOTARY on 6/7/05 8:42am
Msg #42896

My husband always checks out the neighborhood. If it is bad and I accepted the assignment he drives me. So far I had no trouble.

Reply by Anonymous on 6/7/05 9:12am
Msg #42899

In three years I have only had one experience where I went to a home where there was a fellow who was probably house bound because of anxiety only-I don't think he'd had any contact with the outside world for sometime-it was the only time that I ever felt a little uncomfortable but we got through it. Other than the one time, all other signings have been with husband and wives in their homes and all were normal experiences. Average Joes just looking to refinance just like you or me. I try not to schedule late night appointments in extreme remote settings although where I live "everything is remote" LOL.

Reply by Mistarella on 6/7/05 11:20am
Msg #42931

My husband feels the same. We have devised a plan for all signings...BRING CELL PHONE!
I leave a copy of the confirmation with him, incl. Agency, br name, add, ph #I call him: arrive and again when I leave. If it is longer than an hour, he calls ME. I leave my ringer on vibrate, and excuse myself when he calls to let him know all is OK and its just taking longer than expected. If I don't call him/answer the phone he gives it another 30 mins and if I don't answer after 90 mins. he will call the borrower first and ask for me (as my business partner). So far he hasn't had to go to that length, but the plan is in place JUST IN CASE. If my cell fails)battery, whatever) I go to the first payphone I see after leaving. Better safe....