Posted by Treasure Valley Notary - Tina on 2/8/07 12:27am
Msg #174620

Ethics Are On A Short Supply Tonight

It's water cooler time and I need to vent. Went to a signing tonight. Wasn't the first notary to be called, but someone in my area, who has over "3000" signings under her belt is cheaper and gets called first. No problem, since I know my worth. The first notary for what ever reason had to cancel out on the borrowers, so that is why I was called. Signing was no problem, but before I left the borrower's home I was asked if I knew so and so (the first notary). I said that I know of her, but that is all.

The borrowers let me know that she was to come out, but couldn't. And they had to sign tonight. The first notary said that someone else would be found, BUT just in case she could send her husband out. She would predo all the notaries and he would know where the borrowers are to sign, but knows nothing about the actual docs. So they come out and ask me "Is that legal? It didn't feel right." Well, NO, it's not legal.

You know who you are. I am assuming that you read the board because you are listed in the Find A Notary. Maybe I'm just too ethical. Right now I'm debating what to do. 1) Just keep my mouth shut and let it go. 2) Report her to the signing service. 3) Confront her and make her pinky swear never to offer that "solution" again to borrowers. 4) Or just scream into my pillow.

Thanks for letting me vent. I needed it!

Reply by Ndwa on 2/8/07 1:30am
Msg #174623

Under cutting is expected as part of competition. It's unethical and a no no for her to pull that kind of stunt. She deserved to have her notary commission hung which would be your option #5.

Reply by Ndwa on 2/8/07 1:33am
Msg #174624

BTW...You're 1st on my list, Tina n/m

Reply by Susan Fischer on 2/8/07 2:10am
Msg #174626

#1 and #3 are the same, and certainly one way to go.

However, as to #2: A succinct, fact driven, well-written Field Report, cc:to file, to the signing company, IMHO, is warrented. [I'm in favor of whistleblowers. Keeps things honest.]

And #3: 'Pinkey Swear' with a pinch of the Pinkie...just to drive the point home.

We have the option to act. Acts beget changes.

Do good acts.


Cheers!
Susie

Reply by Ernest__CT on 2/8/07 6:39am
Msg #174636

One alternative is to ask the borrower(s) to write a brief note stating just the facts (JUST the facts!) and have it snail-mailed to the company that arranged for the signing.

You should take some action, IMHO. Just don't get caught in a "She said ..." battle.

Reply by Treasure Valley Notary - Tina on 2/8/07 8:45am
Msg #174657

Thanks everyone for the listening and support! That is probably my fear . . . a she said / she said battle. I don't need it or want it! I would like to think that the notary was just "trying to be helpful." In actuality I have no proof. Thank goodness it didn't feel right to the borrowers.

Andy, thanks for the compliment! I know that competition is normal, and even to be expected, I've no problem with that. I think I was trying to make a point that I'm not the first called and that is why. I know that my prices are higher, but there is value in that price difference. My regular clients know that.

I also believe that I am so fried over this because it happened to one of the borrowers that I signed approx. 6-8 months ago. This time it wasn't a notary, but a title officer. She couldn't make it at EOM to borrowers, so she called the borrowers and asked to fax the loan docs to them direct, they would print them out, sign where necessary and then fax them back to title officer. Those borrowers didn't feel comfortable with it and expressed it to me. This way of handling loan signings is definately a pet peeve of mine. And, alas, so very hard to prove.

Everyone have a great day!