Posted by NC_Notary on 2/9/06 4:03pm
Msg #95900

How should this situation be handled?

Back in December I had received a call from an individual to notarize a document for him. Apparently he was sent loan documents from his lender/broker. I had no problems meeting with him to strictly notarize the mortgage and charge him accordingly. However, somehow the title company (Signature Title & Recording) ends up faxing me 6 pages that needed to go with the loan documents. In addition their fax cover sheet included instructions for me.

Upon receipt of the fax, I immediately contacted the Title company to get clarification on what they expected from me. I specifically asked them if they needed me to sit with the borrower and go through all the documents and they replied yes. At that point it was made clear to me that they, the Title company would be paying me and I was to send them an invoice for $100.

It has been 2 months and they have not paid me and when I went to follow up with them, they are now telling me that they never agreed to pay me and instead the borrower was supposed to pay me because he was not charged for my services on the settlement statement. I know they are trying to give me to run around and the only documentation I have is the fax cover sheet with their instructions but no mention of fee which is my fault.

I am truly livid that they are pulling this and are conducting business this way. Opinions please.....

Reply by Charm_AL on 2/9/06 4:26pm
Msg #95904

When they made it clear to youthat they would pay your fee, a confirmation of such should have been requested and sent before the appt.
I'm not sure if it is appropriate to call the borrower and ask if your fee is on the HUD or not, even if you did, you can't bill him if it wasn't agreed to/discussed before your appt.
I would call the Title company back and ask them to send you a copy of the HUD to see if they were paid for your services and keep trying to resolve this with them.

Reply by NC_Notary on 2/9/06 4:35pm
Msg #95909

The woman who sent the fax is well aware of our conversation and is telling me her hands are tied as she did speak to the owner of the title company. They know they are wrong and are now being unethical about it and are trying to get away with it.

Reply by Charm_AL on 2/9/06 4:40pm
Msg #95910

I wonder if she'd send you a letter memorializing that conversation, she probably won't for fear of losing her job. Have you tried talking to the owner? Get his name and send him an invoice and call him and keep on it. Let them know that you aren't going away. Eventually, they'll get tired of hearing it.

Reply by Anonymous on 2/9/06 4:50pm
Msg #95915

You can prove you notarized the documents, right?

Let them know you are going to name the borrower, the lender & the title company in legal action for "Theft of Services" plus costs. I've had excellent results from this several times before.

If you get no responce follow-up with the Better Business Bureau or small claims court in their state.

I never let them beat me out of money...if you do they'll never stop.

Reply by BrendaTx on 2/9/06 4:58pm
Msg #95916

Msg #74882 - Debt collection strategy thread n/m

Reply by JessNC on 2/10/06 9:45am
Msg #96027

Your post caught my attention because you are from NC - so am I...and I am wondering about a signing I did last December as well that sounds similar (name of the title company is different, though)...could you click on my link and email me? Sometimes, people take advantage of the fact that we take our job seriously and want to be helpful and we end up spending money instead of making it!:(