Posted by Sylvia Croft on 12/28/06 4:31pm
Msg #168043

Background Screening

I am being told by some of the signing companies that the only background screening some of the major lenders will accept have to come through the National Notary Association.I don't mind doing a background screening, however I do mind being forced to take a notary certification course from the National Notary Association and pay a $169.00 fee in order to get
it! I have been a Certified Signing Agent through The Professional Association of Notaries Public for over 3 years now. I have done 300+ signings and have never had any problems. I called the National Notary Association (of which I am a member) and asked them about getting the background screening. They informed me they will not sell me just the screening, I have to register for and pay for the course before they will do the screening. What is really aggravating is that the National Notary Association is actively politicing with the lenders and title companies not to accept anyone else's screenings except theirs. I feel like they are interfering with my right to make a living all for more money in their pocket. Maybe if we notaries stuck together and contact the National Notary Association and let them know we are upset about this form of blackmail, and that we will stop spending our money with them unless they cease and desist their present direction they'll listen. If not, we'll always have to wonder what's coming next.

Anybody else out there as peeved as I am about this?
Sylvia

Reply by Stamper_WI on 12/28/06 4:34pm
Msg #168045

Please take note of the notice at the top of the page about back ground checks. Also do a search on the subject. This was a major topic a couple of months ago.

Reply by Stamper_WI on 12/28/06 4:37pm
Msg #168048

Also

If you have these requirements in writing from these companies please forward them to me or Lisa Prestegard. My email is through my link

Reply by Lisa Prestegard on 12/28/06 4:40pm
Msg #168050

LOL... Stamper, we're all over this like a duck on a Junebug

Yes, please email me Sylvia with any information you receive from SS's and/or TC's requiring you to submit to the NNA BGC.
As an aside, click on the Orange Search Button at the top of this page. Then, search for these words: BGC (by Anyone)
You will have a few days of reading ahead of you
We're all fairly PO'd about it, and many of us have taken the issue to our SOS, the FTC, and private attorneys.
Glad you aren't a lemming, Sylvia Welcome aboard!

Reply by Stamper_WI on 12/28/06 4:48pm
Msg #168054

Re: LOL... Stamper, we're all over this like a duck on a Junebug

You bet! Thanks for the Card! Wanted to send you one but couldn't find an address for you! Hope you Christmas was wonderful and you had a chance to gather with everyone you wanted to. We had our last gathering of the year today...in and around lowball signing requests!

Reply by Sylvia Croft on 12/28/06 5:31pm
Msg #168066

Re: LOL... Stamper, we're all over this like a duck on a Junebug

Thanks!

Reply by ML/PA on 12/28/06 4:44pm
Msg #168051

Today I decided to have the background check done through the NNA. I called them and asked if I could get only the background screening without the certification and was told yes for $39 so I did.

Reply by Stamper_WI on 12/28/06 4:45pm
Msg #168052

Are you a member of the NNA?

Reply by ML/PA on 12/28/06 4:47pm
Msg #168053

Yes but not the signing agent section. She tried to get me to get the whole package but I declined.

Reply by Stamper_WI on 12/28/06 4:50pm
Msg #168056

hmmmmm......

wonder if they still require membership for the BGC?

Reply by ML/PA on 12/28/06 5:49pm
Msg #168069

Correction

I am a member of the NNA and Signing Agent sections but not the Certified Signing Agent (I let that lapse)

Reply by Sylvia Croft on 12/28/06 5:04pm
Msg #168062

Very interesting ML/PA. It was today, just about an hour ago I called them and asked to get just the background screening done and they told me they didn't do that. I also just downloaded and printed information from their site that says very specificly you must do the certification in order to get the screening. "Do I need to be certified through the NNA if I received my certification through another Notary education provider? Yes. Only the NNA's complete certification and training process includes the background screening now accepted by the major title and lending companies. The NNA's certification program and screening was designed through consultaion with a task force of these industry leaders." The NNA is calling their program "Notary Signing Atent Certification and Background Screening Program".

Reply by ML/PA on 12/28/06 5:42pm
Msg #168068

That is so odd. You might want to call back again and ask them why I was able to get the background screening without the rest. At first she tried to sell me the whole package but I told her all I wanted was the screening, gave her my payment info, got a confimation number anb logged into a screen where I could either give the info on line or print the application and send out.

Reply by jojo_MN on 12/28/06 10:50pm
Msg #168127

How???

I have had MANY conversations with them and they refused to let me have it without getting re-certified.

Reply by Barb/MO on 12/29/06 7:48am
Msg #168191

Some are listed as non-certified NSA with background checks

There used to be two categories of NSAs on the NNA/NSA listing site--certified and not certified. Now there are four--certified with background check, certified without background check designation, not certified with background check, and not certified and no background check.

If you're still on the NSA list, you might want to run a search, see for yourself the not-certified-with-background-check designation (the predominantly green icon), and then ask how those folks got the background check without being certified.

Certainly, I'm no expert in this area and haven't been keeping track of what the NNA is requiring for whatever. Perhaps if one is currently listed on the NSA site, he/she can get the background check without being certified, i.e., grandfathered. But if not currently listed, one must purchase the whole ball of wax.

If you're currently listed and they're refusing to allow you to purchase with background check without getting certified, I think they have some explaining to do.

I am in no way advocating for the NNA, its NSA site, its certification package or its background check. Just passing along my observation in the hope that it's of help.

Reply by Lee/AR on 12/28/06 4:48pm
Msg #168055

Yep.

And you are correct. Some of these co's are declaring that they will only accept the NNA one. And then the NNA makes up its own pocket-lining rules for 'how they will accomplish this'. Please do send this on to Lisa Prestgard--she's got somebody's attention & we do need to stick together on this NOW. This coercion goes way beyond reason... it's downright un-American! And, yes, I do think that you & every other NNA member (of which I am not one) most definitely should call them out on the present direction they have chosen to take. Not that I think it will do any good as they seem to be lobbying everywhere for THEIR pocket-lining agenda--and to heck with the notaries we supposedly represent. That is so corrupt.

Reply by ZeeCA on 12/28/06 4:53pm
Msg #168058

why when I see NNA I read NNR? shoot I dunno...... n/m

Reply by DonR_NYC on 12/28/06 8:15pm
Msg #168100

I would ask each company that told you such for it in writing and which firms they claim are mandating a NNA BGC. I am quite sure that they will either refuse or try and re-state their message. REASON: It can be looked at as trade infringement to require you to utilize a particular company. The NNA is NOT a governmental agency and neither are the lenders/title/escrow or signing services. They can "recommend" but cannot mandate. Not only does this impact on NSAs but it is anti-competitive to other legit firms that conduct BGC and I'm sure those firms would view it that way.

Since I do not work for signing services I have not run into this situation. I work strictly for title and not one of my clients has ever asked for a BGC. In fact 2 of my largest clients are attorney offices as well and when I questioned them on this issue they stated that a number of people are misreading the law.

Reply by Loretta Reed on 12/28/06 8:51pm
Msg #168105

Re: Background Screening....got an email from DRI Title

they specifically stated that this is a requirement and we are to use NNA. They then gave us a link to the NNA website.

Reply by Ali/IL on 12/28/06 9:26pm
Msg #168107

Re: Background Screening....got an email from DRI Title

I called the NNA wanting only background checking they said I have to get the certification also. I asked if I could just take the certification test and background screening. I was told I have to take the certification training regardless. I can choose to just take the test but have to buy the whole package. I did. I told them that I remember seeing something on their site saying that one could buy just the test and screening for like $39?

Reply by Amalia Contreras on 12/28/06 10:36pm
Msg #168123

Re: Background Screening....Hmmmmmm

I got my BGC through the NNA $39.00 no problem. But I let my signing agent certification laspe and not one call for a signing through the NNA. Something is not right?

Reply by JanetK_CA on 12/29/06 4:30am
Msg #168174

Re: Background Screening....Hmmmmmm

"Something is not right?"

That may be the understatement of the year!!

Reply by rolomia on 2/16/07 11:09pm
Msg #176160

You are right to question this. I am an NNA-certified member & NSA. I did purchase their background screening. But, I've yet to receive same. All I get are excuses & conflicting info. when I question NNA customer service reps. about same. This is but one issue I've experienced with them. So far, the return-on-investment (ROI) is less than zero (<-0). Most likely, their fees will increase and their support will decrease. That's what happens with companies/organizations who live to serve the greed-lust of their officers/employees. The NNA used to be about serving their members/constituents. Of course, they still want their members & pospective members to buy this obvious lie. And, unfortunately, most will.