Posted by Anonymous on 1/25/06 9:34am
Msg #90975

A lesson I learned....the hard way!

In between mortgage signings I received a call to notarize three docs. It was on the way to my next closing so I agreed and we set a $50 fee. I check IDs and notarize three signatures. The broker asks me my fee and I repeat the $50. He opens his wallet and I see a $50 bill. He asks me for a receipt. I write him up a receipt and he hands me the bill. We shake and I leave for my next appt. The next morning my wife asks for money and I tell her to take the $50 bill from my wallet. She says all I have is a $1 bill. A $1 BILL! I feel like a character out of a movie. I got grifted out of my $50. I have this guys name and cell phone number and that is it. He has a receipt from me saying he paid me $50. I have one dollar. I feel like such a shmuck. Any suggestions? Constructive suggestions, unless you are very creative.

Reply by FlaMac on 1/25/06 9:36am
Msg #90978

The Anon Vulchars will get you..sorry you got grifted:( n/m

Reply by srnotary_CA on 1/25/06 9:41am
Msg #90983

Re: The Anon Vulchars will get you..sorry you got grifted:( n/m

I am sorry that happened to you. Maybe try calling him and telling hi mhe mistakenly gave you a one dollar bill instead of the fifty and see what he says? I am not sure what else you can do.

Reply by Anonymous on 1/25/06 10:52am
Msg #91031

Good advice

If he's honest, he'll know he still has his $50 bill. If he's not, I'm sorry the lesson learned was so expensive. Can you write it off?

Reply by CarolynCO on 1/25/06 11:51am
Msg #91070

Since you are posting Anon, there is no way of knowing your state-allowed fees. However, 3 docs and being on the way to your next signing, $50 sounds steep to me.

Reply by Anonymous on 1/25/06 3:24pm
Msg #91143

re: CarolynCo

I am in PA. The $50 fee is one that is offered to me on regularly by Title Companies and businesses. I was paid $75 to witness one signature ( a mortgage that had to be re-recorded) last week. These fees are for travel. We are only allowed to charge $5 for an Affidavit. For an individual my travel fee is $25 plus notarizations
What diiference does it make how much I charge? Unless you were thinking that the fee was too good to be true. . I do appreciate that you took your time to comment on my post even with my second class Anon status. I posted Anon Since I don't want a certain few of my local colleagues to be able to bust on me for the next twenty years. I am sorry you aren't able to charge as much as I do, but prices are probably lower in your neck of the woods.

Reply by CarolynCO on 1/25/06 3:48pm
Msg #91153

Re: re: CarolynCo

A general notarization is quite different from a loan signing -- and no, I'm not thinking the fee is too good to be true. BTW, I took your post to mean that it was an individual general notarization and not through a TC, and I just wanted to point out that there are state regs that control the amount of money you can charge *per* general notarization. Additionally, some states also regulate the mileage charge.

Reply by Anonymous on 1/25/06 3:51pm
Msg #91154

Re: re: CarolynCo

Thanks Carolyn
Those are good points. For some reason your post really chapped my hide. I guess I am too thin skinned.