Posted by BrendaTx on 10/14/06 11:07pm
Msg #152611

This is "old" news but interesting notary fraud stuff

http://www.courttv.com/archive/trials/kimes/031000_ctv.html

Don Aoki who was a notary when this took place was on MSNBC in reruns of a show about the grifters, Sante and Ken Kimes.

I had to go look it up on the 'net and share the notary part of the con scheme.

Reply by PJM/MI on 10/15/06 6:30am
Msg #152626

Thanks Brenda. As a word of caution..ALWAYS ask for ID and make sure the docs are signed in front of you!

Reply by sue_pa on 10/16/06 10:01am
Msg #152764

...ALWAYS ask for ID and make sure the docs are signed in front of you! ...

On the surface, this notary would be okay in my state. We are allowed to accept a SS card as ID (I personally don't but the card meets our requirements here). Also, a deed does not have to be signed in the presence of the notary - it contains an acknowledgement and that can be signed at any point - the signer just acknowledges to the notary they have signed it

Reply by BrendaTx on 10/16/06 12:46pm
Msg #152798

Re: This is "old" news but -- Me, too sue...not the ID

but the ack part. Renee's got a good idea in her response too.

Reply by Ernest__CT on 10/15/06 7:38am
Msg #152629

Just a thought for those who have a Web Site

Brenda's Post reminded me to put a warning on my Site: "Please wait until the Notary Public is present before signing your documents! The Notary Public must see you sign your document in order to notarize it."

While not literally true for all documents and all kinds of notarial acts according CT law, it is still A Good Idea.

Thanks, Brenda!

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 10/15/06 8:58am
Msg #152637

Re: What a rotten mother and son.....I remember when this

was headline news.....

Reply by BrendaTx on 10/15/06 4:54pm
Msg #152684

Re: Just a thought for those who have a Web Site

Yeah, that makes you think, doesn't it? The "real" signer signed under duress from Kimes. Then, Sante Kimes pretended to be her and 'acknowledged' the signature.

The law in Texas says we "take acknowledgments." So...any comments? Interesting thought piece grounded in truth.

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 10/16/06 6:02am
Msg #152743

the things that didn't smell right ...

Specific to my own state's laws ...

We don't have to see the pen scribe the paper, in order to take an acknowledgment. HOWEVER, we can't legally identify someone on the basis of a SS CARD! There's definitely an odor around THAT part of this story ... regardless of specific state statutes - who would rely on a SS card to identify anyone?

And while MI doesn't REQUIRE a journal, it "recommends" one. To decide NOT to keep one when it's a fairly standard practice in the industry, AND the state "recommends" it, would just be sloppy, let alone unwise. It gives the notary such an invaluable TOOL to use - were someone to refuse to sign my journal (thereby providing another sample of the signature) AND provide legal ID for me to notate in my journal, I would find my "personal satisfaction" compromised and game would be over.

A little snipit note - I ask for the ID, copy it into my journal, and HOLD the ID's while the person signs my journal - so they can't view the signature on the ID as a 'refresher'. I then do a very deliberate comparison of signatures - meaning, I make no bones about what I'm doing. Look at photo, look at them. Despite being a Law & Order addict, I'm sure NOT a detective - but one thing I could NEVER be accused of is failing to act with due diligence.