Posted by Laurie Jenkinson on 1/13/07 10:53pm
Msg #170735

Background Checks

Hi,

I have 3 companies that required a background check and referred me to the NNA program. I asked each of them if I was required to use the NNA specifically, or if I could get a background check independantly because of the high cost of the NNA.

Each one told me that would be fine. I contacted the NNA first to see if they would sell me a background check only. I was told if I was a member 'yes', a non-member 'no'. I then asked them what company they used for their background checks. They said that they use LexisNexis, but that this company would not sell a background check to individuals.

Not one to be discouraged, I googled LexisNexis and quickly found their website. I called them and explained what I was looking for. I was told that they could provide a 'FREE' copy of my background check. Similar to a free copy of your credit report annually. They emailed a form to me that I had to snail mail back to them with copies of 2 pieces of ID. They in turn sent me a copy of my background check.

I hope this helps some of you out there!

Thank you,

Laurie

Reply by Pamela on 1/14/07 12:03am
Msg #170738

Laurie, Re: Background Checks

Curious though.

How can a "complete" background check be completed without live fingerprints?
Therefore, if the NNA is offering the same, then their background checks are not as
thorough as they claim. (In California, in order to be commissioned, we must have
our fingerprints scanned, "in-person".)

Plus, if these background checks are being offered by mail, how do this company
(or any other) know that you are truly the individual requesting the report?
(Being that, identity theft and identification fraud is very common and on the rise.)


Pam

Reply by TitleGalCA on 1/14/07 12:22am
Msg #170740

Re: Background Checks - what are you thinking?

Hey if you didn't see when you logged in...let me direct you to the site:

http://www.notaryrotary.com/npbc/notary_public_background_check.asp?id=

Good grief people. Is reading now a specialty?

Reply by Elizabeth Soliday on 1/14/07 1:00am
Msg #170742

Hey great idea Laurie. I had forgotten how much information Lexis had about people; how much it "knew". I remember doing research on there (for training purposes) and you could see people's names, maiden names, birth dates, addresses, and whether they had any legal issues. Pretty much everything a company would need to determine whether you were trustworthy. As far as the fingerprints go, who says Ms. Identity Thief isn't going to the police station giving her fingerprints as mine?

Reply by TitleGalCA on 1/14/07 1:30am
Msg #170743

Okay, one more time for those who are reading challenged

http://www.notaryrotary.com/npbc/notary_public_background_check.asp?id=

Maybe it will sink in?

Reply by Ndwa on 1/14/07 6:55am
Msg #170749

LOL...TG! n/m

Reply by Sharon Taylor on 1/14/07 9:43am
Msg #170756

Thanks, TitleGalCA

The whole background check business is a royal PITA, especially since most of us live in states where a background check was done before we were issued our notary commission. I'm always worried about false or incorrect information being put in my files, especially since I have such a common name. The credit companies are notorious for just tossing anything that relates to a similar name into someone's credit file, and it's h...ll getting it corrected and removed. I've had several borrowers over the past few years look at their 1003 and wonder about items listed in the liabilities column, telling me that they never owed such-and-such a company. Some have had several liabilities listed which they say emphatically they had never heard of and certainly did not owe! Some know there is someone else or several someone elses living in the same locality with the same or similar names, and it sounds like the credit card companies just look at a name and a town and toss the info in every file that has that and similar names and locations. Getting such misinformation removed can be a lifetime project. Add ID theft, and a nightmare becomes a 24-hour rest-of-your-life horror tale.
BTW, a friend who needed a basic background check done for something or other told me that she was just going to go down to the local police station and have them run it, cost around $5 or $10. That option sounds much better to me. After all, who is running the background checks on the people who would be running a background check on me????? Who is watching the watchers??????

Reply by MelissaCT on 1/15/07 9:17am
Msg #170843

Yes, they do.

I had a borrower that had that happen. Since the company could not figure out the first name, they "tagged" everyone in their files with the same last name, resulting in several incorrect reportings.

Reply by Elizabeth Soliday on 1/15/07 9:07pm
Msg #170948

TitleGal

I viewed your post and already read the information, however, I don't see that NRBC is available yet. I am in support of it.

I am also going to write to my Secretary of State and tell them I am in favor of all notaries having a background check as a precommission requirement. It makes sense that the commissioning office would be the most appropriate agency to do the background check. Also, it may keep private agencies from overcharging notaries for this new requirement.

Reply by TitleGalCA on 1/15/07 9:53pm
Msg #170970

Re: TitleGal

Good luck with that, I wasn't aware that your state didn't require it already. Mine does, a DOJ check so this whole attempt by the NNA to work this "issue that isn't an issue" sends me into the stratosphere.

I just wanted to encourage anyone who can read to read the message when you log into NR.

Reply by Pamela on 1/14/07 2:24am
Msg #170746

Elizabeth Re: Background Checks

"As far as the fingerprints go, who says Ms. Identity Thief isn't going to the police
station giving her fingerprints as mine?"

That's true, but once at the police station, valid photo identification is required
(as I am sure, other security measures are in effect too, to ensure that this is
the correct person being fingerprinted).

Although I do not know the statistics, the odds should be much lower of this
type of fraud being committed, in a police station, as opposed via the mail.

And without fingerprints, how can the criminal background check (including
the Justice Department and F.B.I.) be accomplished?

Just about anyone can create a fictitious background, with birthdate, addresses etc. . .
If this isn't the case, then why are people fingerprinted upon being arrested?
And at the DMV?

Why don't the authorities just do a quick "Lexis" search, and call it a day?


Pam

Reply by Laurie Jenkinson on 1/14/07 2:30pm
Msg #170779

Although I agree that Notaries in states that require a background check to become a notary should not need another background check, some of us live in states that don't do a background check.

The three companies that requested a background check are companies that I like working with and would prefer not to loose as clients. Having a background check becomes a personal choice. Some of us will choose to have one, others will not.

I wanted to let people know that I had found an additional option. Just like a credit reporting company is required to make available to the consumer what is in their file, a company like LexisNexis is also required to make available the consumer what is in their file.

Not all companies that require a background check will be willing to accept this alternative, but I wanted to share what I found, and I especially like the cost - the price of a stamp which is certainly much cheaper than the cost of the NNA.

Over the next several years, I strongly believe that we will see the Signing Agent industry more regulated. Having been in management at a large financial institution for many years, I was surprised at how unregulated we are.

I hope this helps some of you that were looking for options.

Laurie

Reply by James H. Lissemore on 1/14/07 3:56pm
Msg #170788

Laurie
Thank you for your input. One way to get a free report from same company that is doing NNA check.
Why pay to get the same information. Another option is F.B.I. report.

Reply by Marie Thompson on 1/15/07 11:43am
Msg #170863

I as well have companies i would like to continue doing business with. Laurie, can you give me the website, phone number, or other info to contact for the free background check. I found on the LexisNexis website where it is charging. ------ https://www.lexisnexis.com/terms/privacy/data/obtain.asp -----
Thank you
Marie

Reply by Greg Harrison on 1/16/07 2:24pm
Msg #171116

I was very intersted in getting this information from Lexis Nexis....is this the form they emailed you??

http://www.lexisnexis.com/terms/privacy/data/RequestCopyPersonReport.pdf

It says there is an $8.00 charge for the information but it does ask for the 2 forms of ID you mentioned. What 800 number did you call? I had trouble getting someone on the phone.

Thanks
Greg Harrison
[e-mail address]

Reply by Marguerite Thibodeaux on 2/8/07 6:06pm
Msg #174785

Thanks for the information. When I called NNA they told me something totally different. I asked the same question, could I do the background screening only and I was told "no".