Posted by Loretta Reed on 2/28/07 2:48pm
Msg #177570

LFC IS USING NOTARIES WITHOUT A TPL IN MARYLAND...

CAUGHT YA!!

Got a call from them today, blah, blah, blah, our fees are now a mandatory $60. I said, "Dear, I won't get off my couch for that". They said they were sorry and they would take me out of their system, I said "Thanks, please do that". I know a few losers that will.

Got another call, begged me to stay on. I did some research at the courthouse and found out that they have used, on 5 occassions that I can see so far, they have used notaries without a tpl to do closings in 3 counties in Maryland. Off to the MIA I go, see if they will do something this time.

Reply by Loretta Reed on 2/28/07 2:50pm
Msg #177571

DON'T ASK ME WHAT HAPPENED THERE... n/m

Reply by Calnotary on 2/28/07 3:25pm
Msg #177574

Re: DON'T ASK ME WHAT HAPPENED THERE...

You were so mad that you posted 3 times. LOL!

Now seriously, that's an insult offering those fees. I have worked for them for more than twice that amount, and I am in a very saturaded area at least that's what they said to me.

Reply by Genkichan on 2/28/07 8:11pm
Msg #177608

Re: I have another idea too...

First, when looking at the deeds from the county recorder's office, how are you confirming that LFC handled that particular deed? I'd like to know how you are verifying this so that I could conduct similar research.

Second, here's another idea. Track down the contact information for the bank person whose name appears on the first couple pages of each DOT. Write them a polite letter informing them that their Title Co. did not hire a properly licensed Title Producer in MD to handle the remote loan signing. As such, the title insurance policy on their deed is virtually useless to them, should they ever need to utilize it. That may, in turn, compromise the quality of the loan on the resale market. Suggest that they investigate the actions of the Title Co. handling their loan closings. I bet you if LFC's lender clients found out about this, they would harp down a heck of a lot faster on LFC actions and the MIA will! And if enough people call with proof, the MIA might even take some action as well...

Informing on these title companies is the only way to take a stand for our profession! I really do hope you have sufficient proof and report them to the MIA and their lender clients.

Reply by Loretta Reed on 2/28/07 9:16pm
Msg #177617

Re: I have another idea too...

To search any title company, you can go to the county clerk's office and look up deeds of trust. I searched LFC and then wrote down the name of the notary. I then went to the MIA website, clicked on the link for "producer search" and ran the notary's name. If they are not licensed, I wrote their name down and got a copy of the first page of the deed of trust and the page that the notary signed and stamped. I plan on calling the MIA and speaking with Dottie tomorrow.

I am sick of paying all of this money to be in compliance (bonds, e&o, etc) when there are a few notaries here that think that this is a game and it is not.

Reply by Loretta Reed on 2/28/07 9:18pm
Msg #177618

Re: I have another idea too...

I ran LFC at the county clerk's office for 6 counties here from January 2006 to now. I came up with at least 6 closings that were done by notaries not licensed. It was the LFC in Simi Valley, CA that did the majority of them. I only found one that the LFC in TX had done by a notary that did not have her tpl. They all know who they are.

Reply by BrendaTx on 3/1/07 7:04am
Msg #177677

Re: I have another idea too..."To search any title co."

**To search any title company, you can go to the county clerk's office and look up deeds of trust. **

Any experienced notary who is not satisfied with the amount of their business should use this technique to find out where the busines is coming from in their county, solicit the title companies and lenders directly and give themselves an opportunity to get business by making a personal approach to the title company.

It amazes me that people are not aware of this before they get into business doing signings. Knowing where these DoTs come from for us to carry around would be helpful. Knowing why who do what we do and where these things wind up only makes good sense.

Right now I am training a legal assistant intern. Part of the training I have given her is to go to the courthouse and learn where public records are kept. I give her assignments to go find certain documents I know are there and to extract information from them.

She's doing it just to placate me...schlepping through for a grade. If she can do it, surely a notary looking for business can be motivated to go there to find companies to target.

This is another one of those PITA things people don't want to do...hitting the concrete. It's easier to market to signing services. Oh well.

Reply by MelissaCT on 3/1/07 4:08pm
Msg #177760

Interesting

I'll have to see if things are like that in CT. We don't go through the county, each of 169 towns/cities handle their own. I know we can look up by name, address, date but I don't know that things are organized by company -- although even if they are, many would be listed under MERS only...

Reply by MikeC/NY on 2/28/07 10:50pm
Msg #177645

Just to clarify...

... what exactly is a Title Producers License, and what is involved in getting one? We have no such animal here in NY, so I'm just asking out of curiousity.

Reply by Loretta Reed on 3/1/07 6:42am
Msg #177676

Re: Just to clarify...

Some attorneys got together and were jealous that notaries could close loans with nothing but a $25 payment to the state to be a notary public and decided to stick it to us.

A title producers license is something that Maryland has made mandatory that notaries must have to do a "witness closing". This involves continuing credit classes, fees for our bonds (surety and fidelity), e&o insurance and Maryland Insurance Adminstration fees.

We are just as responsible for the HUD now as the person who typed the thing up. If the notary is not licensed, the loan could go south, even after the signing and the recission period is up.

Reply by MikeC/NY on 3/1/07 5:52pm
Msg #177785

Thanks, Loretta...

Now I understand why the MD notaries here get so upset...

"We are just as responsible for the HUD now as the person who typed the thing up. If the notary is not licensed, the loan could go south, even after the signing and the recission period is up."

Would it be the notary who was on the hook for damages in that case, or the company that hired him/her?

Also, do you actually have to "produce" anything - do you have involvement in creating the HUD? Or is it just that you are responsible for verifying figures?

Sounds like a nightmare...

Reply by Loretta Reed on 3/1/07 6:52pm
Msg #177795

Re: Thanks, Loretta...

Everybody is on the hook if it comes to a lawsuit. My whole issue is that I am just there to witness a signature. I don't even see the hud until the title company emails it to me and it is complete. Somehow Maryland has decided I am still responsible for it.

Bring it on, I have broad shoulders.