Posted by MistarellaFL on 5/23/06 12:52pm
Msg #121734

Disturbing email from reputable SS re recent notary mistakes

It almost made me queasy....the bulk of the content was about notary mistakes.
It makes me no longer wonder why fees have been reduced. Agencies have no real way of knowing who's responsible/experienced and who is not. thery almost lost 2 major accounts due to notary error.
This is a SS I have referred many SA's to, and would continue to do so.

Here is a portion of the email:

Below are some specific issues that have come up and they need to be addressed. See below:
Closer not checking package before leaving house, and signed loan with no HUD and no title paperwor
Missed signatures and stamps
Sending packages back to the wrong title co.
Closer did not want to go back out and fix mistake. This cost the title co. $1,000 dollars to make this borrower happy and not rescind on the loan. This almost cost us an account.
Closer not calling when he/she arrives at closing
Closer not calling when there is problem in the closing or has a question on the paperwork.
Closer not calling when loan is completed
Late for closing and does not call
Has the borrower drive to closer’s house to close loan ( We are a mobile service, we get paid to drive to the borrower)
Failing to get package into FedEx on a Saturday ( Some areas do not offer Saturday delivery, we understand this)
Not completing the “Lenders Closing Instructions” correctly when it comes to the XXXXX packages (even after XXXX or myself have gone through them with you)
Not faxing in the “Owners Affidavit” along with your HUD and invoice when it comes to the XXX packages
Closer’s contracting out other closer’s and not telling us (The closer that was contracted out made mistakes on loan, almost cost us another account )
Had closer tell borrower “We can just sign this tomorrow, and date it for today.”
EVERYTHING MENTIONED ABOVE IS UNACCEPTABLE

Reply by SarahBeth_CA on 5/23/06 1:11pm
Msg #121740

Re: Disturbing email from reputable SS re recent notary mist

***Closer not calling when he/she arrives at closing***
Complete waiste of time babysitting baloney.
***Closer not calling when loan is completed***
Absolutely uneccessary when you can email and invoice at the end of the evening for the entire day.
***Not faxing in the “Owners Affidavit” along with your HUD and invoice when it comes to the XXX packages***
More babysitting garbage. No problem with faxing the invoice but the faxing of docs makes for extra time and trips to drop shipment. I'll do it but there is a charge.

I can't stand it when they try to manage my time for me. There are many things that we can do to work smarter and some of these requests are bassackwards for sound business time management. It bugs me when they send this blanket email out to all SA's when none of these mistakes were my own. Yes I know it's a pet peeve of mine so that's just a vent. I do understand the other mistakes listed.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 5/23/06 1:18pm
Msg #121742

Re: Disturbing email from reputable SS re recent notary mist

Sarabeth, this wasn't the whole email.
The reason they feel like they have to do all that babysitting nonsense is not only to protect the notary and their company, because they aren't showing up to appts. nor calling with any issues, not completing notarial certs, etc
I hate babysitters, too. This is the only company with b/bsitting tactics i would even dream about working with. They are that good and pay that well. and on time!
When they started as a SS, they didn't do those things (owners are working SA's, too).
Unfortunately, it has been the irresponsibility/inexperience of new SA's that drove them to it.

Reply by Dee_Fla on 5/24/06 9:34am
Msg #121924

Re: Disturbing email from reputable SS re recent notary mist

what company was this? or SS?

The way it sounds it almost sounds like some ppl are not detail oriented. At times though, they may be absolutely good reasons (ok or excuses) why somethings are not done. It is easier to just go in there and do it and save your minutes! while the gesture of calling if there is a problem is a valid reason...if there is a problem call...better to ask and be safe then to be sorry later.

I for one try my very best to follow each directions carefully. I do review everything before leaving my house. does not mean I'm going to remember every single thing everytime, but I do try to make up for it somehow. Before leaving the borrower's house, I review all paper work, make sure everything is signed, stamped, etc...and then when I get home, I do the very same thing (of course count documents and what was notarized to document in my journals).

But there had been times that I put in my acknowledgement /or jurat attachments and it is the title company that looses it, not me!!!! I document everything I attach into the packege. They mis place it and then blame me for not doing one. So...before they go and slaming notaries, they might consider their own bad habits.

Reply by Ndwa on 5/23/06 1:23pm
Msg #121743

Re: Disturbing email from reputable SS re recent notary mist

Simply poor management the way I see it. You may just be one of the fews they contract, otherwise they need to better qualified or know who they send the work to.

Reply by SLB SIGNING SERVICES, INC. - Sherry on 5/23/06 1:38pm
Msg #121744

Re: Disturbing email from reputable SS re recent notary mist

Some of the requirements set by SS's is because a client requests calls and fax backs not necessarily the SS. I for one do not make these sort of requests for my benefit but quite a few of my clients want the closers to call them at the table or after the closing and some even require faxbacks..Not my rules, I just simply comply with my clients requests.

On another note, I can totally understand why this SS sent this to ALL of their notaries. For one, if you are working with 1000+ agents, it is sometimes best to address the issues with said closer and than make a blanket statement to all of your agents to let them know whats going on (especially if the same mistakes are happening consistently).

andy..with all due respect, poor management has nothing to do with this. Situations like this arise because there are too many darn agents out there who when interviewing them pretend to be experienced and knowledgeable in the industry (just to get in your database)but when it really comes down to it, they have no clue...A person can look great on paper and sound great on the phone but you never know until youve worked with them for awhile.

Reply by Missy_Lulu on 5/23/06 9:00pm
Msg #121824

Re: Disturbing email from reputable SS re recent notary mist

Msg# 121696 refers to testing along with the independent contractor agreement. I applaud this method. I would be more apt to work for someone who administers a test. This shows they are conscientious about who they hire.

Reply by Winston_Tn on 5/23/06 2:03pm
Msg #121751

These are BAD things ??? .... OMG....

I have used this same list as my daily working creedo.

Do you really need a HUD ? I personally think its over-rated.
One signature, one stamp, anything else gets repetitive.
Any address will do...let fedex and the title co.'s figure it out.
I always make a few purposeful mistakes, then double my price to go back and fix it.
Why would you ever call upon arrival, upon leaving, and if there was a problem? I don't want anyone to have that kind of visibility to my whereabouts, and I am certainly not going to ask the ones whom have caused the problem for a solution.
I always arrive late....it wastes less of my time when the borrowers are anxious and waiting.
With the price of gas..I always have the borrowers drive to me...I have taken the word 'mobile' out of my title.
Lender closing Instructions are for woosies.
I never fax-back anything..period. Can't figure out how to operate the fax.
If I can't do the closing, I ask my 9 yr. old son to do it...He love to 'press' that seal. LOL, Why would I tell anyone about that?
I always sign at my convenience, and ask the borrowers when they would like it dated.

P.S. I solemnly declare that the statements made by myself in the afore written post are not correct & not true, and further declare that I am appalled and dismayed at the lack of respect some notaries have for their appointed commission. There ought to be a probation period for notaries... you either make the grade....or are completely erased using the Dept. Of Defence standard notary bleaching (DoD 5220.22-M)

Reply by patricia on 5/23/06 2:35pm
Msg #121758

Re: These are BAD things ??? .... OMG....

it seems to me that if a notary lies about their experience regarding loan signings then that
alone should disqualify them from ever getting any jobs.

Reply by Janlee_MI on 5/23/06 2:45pm
Msg #121764

If I am hired to do a job then I follow the instructions.

As a title person, I can tell you that we hate fax backs too. I always call after the closing to let them know. I would want to know as a Loan Officer or a Title Person. This just good customer service.

We all make mistakes but I want to know how I made a mistake and how can I fix it. You learn more from your mistakes.

Reply by Winston_Tn on 5/23/06 2:50pm
Msg #121765

Ahhh...yes...back in the good old days...

when persons of high moral character were appointed as public notaries to certify and keep documents safe, and held in high esteem. Wax seals...Ribbons...individualized engravings....

The only thing that has changed in this electronic venue, is the growing risk of fraud, the billions of dollars that are at stake, and the notaries moral character, which as a whole seems to be on the decline due to false promises and the lure of big $$$.

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/23/06 5:52pm
Msg #121780

Winston, honey, you are as full of it as a

Christmas turkey.

Whatever it is that you are smoking while you pontificate ain't "Winstons" -- that for darn sure.

I LUIPIMP!

Reply by Tina_MA on 5/23/06 5:19pm
Msg #121776

I think much of this has to do with SS's making ridiculous contracts with TC's in order to get their business.

Then, in order to make money, the SS has no choice but to dig deep into the bottom of the Notary barrel, for the cheapest Notary they can find.

The SS then crosses their fingers and toes, and hopes and prays, that the cheapo Notary they hired will not screw up the deal.

I'm not saying that all SS's are like this....there are a few that aren't....but the majority of SS's play Russian Roulette with every signing request they have.

The majority of SS's *KNOW* which Notaries have many years of experience. The SS's also know that they have to pay for that experience. Rather than do that, SS's decide to spin the wheel, and hope like hell that the signing is successfully completed.

I do not feel sorry for SS's. They know exactly what they are doing. And they know exactly how to fix the problem -- by hiring experienced Notaries. These kinds of emails tell me just how greedy the SS is.

Reply by Stamper_WI on 5/23/06 6:33pm
Msg #121792

Glad for it today!

I have been a NSA for 8 yrs and made 1(!) ommission on an acknowledgement today plus a mispell on their rather complicated name. It was caught after the fax back. Embarassed but glad it was brought to my attention!

Reply by Tina_MA on 5/23/06 6:40pm
Msg #121796

Re: Glad for it today! -- poor excuse

With your experience, you should know that you should have checked the docs throughly before leaving the borrowers' home -- at least twice.

And then you should have checked them again at your home. Then you wouldn't have had any errors to be found by the SS.

Using them to check your work proves to them that you need a babysitter.

Reply by Stamper_WI on 5/23/06 8:54pm
Msg #121822

Re: Glad for it today! -- poor excuse

I beg to differ....This is not the usual for me. It is not a pattern or part of a history of mistakes Doc's were checked before and after I left and I managed to miss it. I even have brand new reading glasses!
Its upsetting. I can over analyze and try to place an excuse like EOM or cold remedys. But I won't. I made a mistake and oversight. I do not think it means I need babysitting. Believe me, my own scrutiny of my work will increase.
I am also not afraid to admit my mistake and correct it. To the SS and here, on a public forum.
I could have kept quiet and said nothing knowing that someone would respond in self righteous indignation when I did post it.
The subject is the view that fax backs are handholding or babysitting. My point is that even the best and more experienced NSA's can make errors. If you don't think so, you are stretching your neck out pretty far. You can't put your head in the sand while standing on a pedestal without doing so. The mere fact that we have E&O insurance that should be increasing as we have more of a history of work behind us speaks to that. The SS's reaction to the errors was gracious. They know my history as I have been doing signings for them for many years. if this was a pattern, I wouldn't be doing this.

Reply by SueW/Tn on 5/23/06 9:07pm
Msg #121826

Poor excuse....wowwwwser!

I've always marveled in the presence of perfection....(politely performing a little curtsey). I truly believe ya gotta watch what you do to those you pass on your way up...you're gonna pass them again on your way down. Tina I'm not usually a mean spirited person BUT please let me know the next showing of "hey look me over, I walk on water"...sheesh!

Reply by whitesatin on 5/23/06 9:10pm
Msg #121828

Re: Poor excuse....wowwwwser!

I'm on board with you Sue! AMEN sister!

Reply by whitesatin on 5/23/06 9:08pm
Msg #121827

Re: Glad for it today! -- poor excuse

StamperWI,
You are absolutely correct. We ALL make mistakes even though SOME OF US try to come off like we are PERFECT. The arrogance will catch up, it always does. Let me tell you, I for one support you and wish some of these PERFECT people would shut the H##L up about how professional and perfect they are.

Reply by patricia on 5/23/06 11:28pm
Msg #121859

Re: Glad for it today! -- poor excuse

I know I have made mistakes and most likely will in the future, I do know my mistakes are nothing compared to the ones I get from loan and title companies. This includes mis-spelled
borrowers names, or addresses, wrong figures or interest rates, wrong phone numbers, not able to provide documents in time for appt. and on and on, my mistakes are nothing compared to these. Five hundred or more of theirs to one of mine, if that. Human error is a fact of life, it will always be around.

Reply by Tess/ME on 5/24/06 9:52am
Msg #121928

Re: Just a few more to add onto those about Title companies

Getting to the closing (instructions from TItle co. to call when you arrive) call the Title company and they don't know what you are talking about. "Who said to call when you ARRIVE there? Have you finished the closing? Did it close" And, my favorite is, "Will you be able to get the docs back by email to us immediately after closing?" And they say notaries make all the errors.

Reply by Anonymous on 5/28/06 4:58pm
Msg #122896

What a bunch of hoey!

Title company.

Your docs are ready. Not!
Borrower is ready. Opps we have not been able to reach them.
Wrong documents. Sorry you drove out there. We will reprint and you can do it again.
Names wrong.
Marital status wrong
HUDs that don't balance!
Documents missing from the package.
Documents that magically appear later.
Phones not answered.
Title people that ask me, well how would you fill that out.
Chasing checks for payment.
Signing companies not cancelling appoints.
Calling the borrower to tell them the signing is cancelled only to discover another notary just confirmed with them(guess who did it for less)
Title/signign company tell you they will contact the borrower to cancell the appointment only to have an irrate customer call you!

AND MY ALL TIME FAVORITE,

UNCLEAR INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE TITLE/SIGNING COMPANY. No one answer the phone.

" I have verified the identity and made the disbursements". Well, I did verify the id, but I am not doing the disbursements."

Non borrowing spouse only signs in three places, the mortgage, RTC and TIL. What? You did not have her sign the id verification form. YOUR STUDID POSTIT SAID SHE ONLY SIGNS IN THREE PLACES.

So title and signing are very much to blame in my opinion!