Posted by David Kral on 12/13/06 8:58pm
Msg #165795

SOX--New Language

A Couple months back SOX called on a Saturday afternoon for an immediate signing edocs.(Hmmm did the other notary bail on them.) I told them did not want me since they would not meet my fee. She said she really needed some one. I quoted them my fee. She said she would call back, documents were ready to go.

Well color me blue she did in about 5 minutes and met my fee. I notice in the instruction a new statement you have to agree to not to contac the lender under any circumstances about your fee.

Not a biggie for me since I only do about one signing a year for them, but it seem like a change.

Still, it seems like they are pretty tight with Lending Tree which I think is a public company. I always thought people should ask Lending Tree's managemetn about the chronic problems with SOX. Basically, it is not different that slave labor in third world countries or fraud when people do not get paid. If they are going to go after Kathy Lee for products that might have used child labor, I always thought notaries should press Lending Tree's management for change at SOX.

It seems perhaps SOX is getting a bit more organized and people are getting slowly paid. Perhaps the message has gotten through.

Reply by Zana Darrow on 12/13/06 9:06pm
Msg #165800

Sigh n/m

Reply by Susan Fischer on 12/13/06 9:22pm
Msg #165803

Wait'll they get *my* message... n/m

Reply by CaliNotary on 12/13/06 9:37pm
Msg #165810

"I always thought people should ask Lending Tree's managemetn about the chronic problems with SOX. Basically, it is not different that slave labor in third world countries or fraud when people do not get paid."

And yet you still accepted a signing from them? Why exactly?

SOX hasn't gotten a bit more organized. They just put that in their confirmation so they can use it as an excuse to not pay people.

Reply by MikeC/NY on 12/13/06 9:42pm
Msg #165811

But the big question is...

... did you get paid yet for that assignment?

I accepted two assignments from them back in October (before I knew better) and am now trying to collect. On their web site, they state that all complaints have to be by fax only - no phone calls or emails. Further, you are not supposed to report a dispute to any outside agency for 60 days after submitting the complaint, and under no circumstances are you to contact the lender.

However, since I didn't agree to these conditions when I accepted the assignments, I'm not bound by them. They're over 40 days out on my invoice at this point (and yes, I have faxed a complaint to them...). I have no intention of waiting another 60 days before contacting the California SOS, the lender, the BBB, and anyone else I can think of who might be able to bring pressure on them.

If they want me to not do that, it's simple - all they have to do is pay me what they owe me. I don't think I'm being unreasonable...

Reply by cassiewi on 12/13/06 9:48pm
Msg #165813

Wow

That is something. Even if I didn't know better, seeing those terms would be make me very suspicious. Talk about a huge red flag.

Reply by MikeC/NY on 12/13/06 10:20pm
Msg #165820

Re: Wow

You only see those terms when you sign up on their web site. I think it's more usual that SOX finds you rather than the other way around - so you never see their terms unless you go digging for them.

Had I known then what I know now, I would never have accepted the assignments...

Reply by Susan Fischer on 12/13/06 9:56pm
Msg #165814

I got paid when I complained to BBB - all but the *last*,

which, according to them, wasn't 'due' yet.

Just faxed them for the ??th time that BBB complaint is already written, just waiting to cut/paste into online form. I love the BBB. Boy, are these SOX ~smelly~. The last time they called and I declined, she asked why. I said because you don't pay and never darken my phone again. Huge audible sigh.

Reply by Stamper_WI on 12/13/06 9:59pm
Msg #165815

Re: I got paid when I complained to BBB - all but the *last*,

You forgot the state Attorney general and the IRS