Posted by PJM/MI on 10/19/06 11:30am
Msg #153638

About the background checks

I don't mind paying for a company to do a background check... but will WE get a copy of it, also? I know I'm "clear to close".. but I'd like to see what's in the report. JMHO.

Reply by PMNSA/FL on 10/19/06 12:08pm
Msg #153655

I don't mind having the background check either. I would like to have the option of being able to see what is in my file once it is completed.

Reply by Poppy on 10/19/06 12:10pm
Msg #153658

Especially considering the multitude of mistakes that can

and are being made by the various companies performing the BGC's.

Reply by Larry/Ca on 10/19/06 12:21pm
Msg #153660

I think that by law....

you have the right to receive a copy of background checks on you so you can check for completeness and accuracy. I know you can for sure here in California. Contact State of California Criminal Justice Department.

Reply by Poppy on 10/19/06 12:22pm
Msg #153661

That's good to know. Thanks! Larry... "smiles" n/m

Reply by Larry/Ca on 10/19/06 12:26pm
Msg #153663

In California the bite is......

that it will cost you $25 for the application for a copy of the record and you also need to send them another set of fingerprints... another live scan fee!!!!

Reply by David Fuhrman on 10/19/06 1:17pm
Msg #153666

I had a background check done though NNA. If you request a copy, you will get it. They do a criminal background check, drivers license check, name and SS# verification.

Reply by Harry [NR] on 10/19/06 2:39pm
Msg #153690

David, can you please elaborate on the criminal background check aspect? A nationwide criminal background check may not be enough for some lenders (and, in turn, the title companies working for them).

Unless the background check investigation firm runs every permutation of your name in connection with in-depth county-level records searches (some of which must be manually performed at a court house), it may prove to be worthless in the future.

The checks you have described (if the criminal check is national only) run about $12. We would recommend that level of check only in connection with a recent state-commissioned check (e.g. California DOJ).

Beyond that, how was your identity verified? Did you appear before someone (like another notary public) to prove your identity?

Harry
Notary Rotary

Reply by Charles_Ca on 10/19/06 3:16pm
Msg #153701

It would appear to me that running all the permutations

of a name would be fraught with its own problems in that some of the permutations may result in hits that are not connected to the original source name. This same problem frequently occurs with the three major credit reporting bureaus resulting in false information. I pull my credit reports regularly and frequently find errors. The credit bureau errors are very difficult to get corrected and I can imagine that background checks will be even more difficult to correct becasue of implied accuracy. Finger prints through the FBI's NCIC are far more accurate and the names don't provide unnecessary interference: it either is the fingerprint or it isn't.

Reply by Harry [NR] on 10/19/06 4:26pm
Msg #153722

Re: It would appear to me that running all the permutations

The background investigation firms - at least the ones we have spoken to - have quality controls for verifying that any records retrieved actually match the name in question AND the date of birth is nearly always used as a match item for criminal records, as well, which obviously does not change. And, if it ends up that they are wrong, your life is not temporarily destroyed as is sometimes the case with credit bureaus.

Here is a Permutation Example:

Mary is a notary signing agent

Born as Mary Jean Smith on 4/1/1970
Married and name changed to Mary Jean Thompson on 2/14/2005
Has lived and worked in Bronx, NY and Queens, NY in the last 7 years

A high quality search might call for:

Social Security Trace
Alias Names Search (should confirm the above)
Nationwide Criminal Mary Jean Smith 4/1/1970
Nationwide Criminal Mary Jean Thompson 4/1/1970
New York Statewide Criminal Mary Jean Smith 4/1/1970
New York Statewide Criminal Mary Jean Thompson 4/1/1970
Bronx Mary Jean Smith 4/1/1970
Bronx Mary Jean Thompson 4/1/1970
Queens Mary Jean Smith 4/1/1970
Queens Mary Jean Thompson 4/1/1970

In this scenario, the state fees for record access alone would be $312 - that's not counting the leg work. (New York is THE most expensive state to run quality checks in.) I believe some title companies are this in-depth when it comes to background checks and may not accept anything less.

Is this beyond the definition of reasonable? Possibly. Maybe due diligence or compliance concerns could be satisfied with 1 name and 1 county OR maybe just the statewide OR maybe just the national. A more lax investigation would seem reasonable in light of the nature of the office of notary public and the likelihood of running into a criminal signing agent. (Certainly there would be much simpler ways to engage in criminal behavior for someone so-inclined.) The point is that if your vendor is not doing all of this, they might be selling you something that others won't accept and still others will decide is insufficient later. That's part of the reason we recommend waiting until 2007 before considering third-party certification; there still seems to be a lot of unknowns.

In terms of the FBI... I looked into that last month. Do you have any idea what's involved in obtaining access to those systems? In lieu of native access, there might be a way to redirect the personally-requested Criminal History Records (through the FBI's CJIS Division) to an alternate address (e.g. signing agent helps you complete FD-258, sends it to the FBI, and the results are directed to a certification entity). However, if it is not outright disallowed, I'm sure it would be frowned upon. Plus, even though it's the FBI, their report might not include the latest county-level activity.

Harry

Reply by Jolene Lien on 10/19/06 4:36pm
Msg #153728

Re: It would appear to me that running all the permutations

Stamper and I had our fingerprints done at the local county sheriff's office last night. When I asked him how often records are sent, he said that whenever anyone is booked into the jail, the fingerprints and records are sent immediately to the FBI. They don't use ink when booking here anymore. They use the pads like the Enjoa uses (at least at the La Crosse County Jail anyway). So at least in this area it is up-to-date. Don't know about the rest of the country.

Reply by jojo_MN on 10/19/06 5:12pm
Msg #153738

Re: It would appear to me that running all the permutations

For clarification, Stamper and I had ink fingerprints done. Each finger on both hands, four fingers together on each hand, and each thumb. THEY were done in ink. We send them in, not the county.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 10/19/06 4:56pm
Msg #153731

Thanks Harry, that's a very indepth and complete explanation n/m

Reply by jojo_MN on 10/19/06 4:28pm
Msg #153724

Background checks and Note to Harry.

I had a check done by TransUnion and I received a copy of the report.

It listed all my AKA's, did a national criminal record check and checked all state background checks that I live and work in including counties with each of my aka's. It listed all my former addresses.and how many inquiries were made.

Also Harry, I sent you a message via NotRot. You can post it if you wish.

Reply by OnTheGoInFla on 10/19/06 5:44pm
Msg #153744

I don't mind having the background check either but I do want the company handeling it to have in place a policy for protecting my private info and not to make me sign of on all liability like the NNA wants us to do.