Posted by Sylvia_FL on 6/1/07 12:13pm
Msg #193157

Follow up on previous post regarding copy of commission

About a week ago I notarized a POA for a woman, a paper with the POA stated that if thedocument was signed outside of Majestic Title's office then the notary was to supply a copy of notary license and drivers license.
I explained to the signer that I do not provide copies of my drivers license to anyone and I do not have a copy of my commission handy, but they can check with the SOS that I am a valid notary.

A few minutes ago the woman's boyfriend called, said they had to have the copy of my drivers license and commission. I told him the same thing. I said I do not give copies of my drivers license out to anyone. And if the company insist on a copy of my commission I would be happy to fax my commission over to them.
He was going to call the title company to let them know I refused to give a copy of my drivers license.

Reply by JenCA on 6/1/07 12:31pm
Msg #193162

I have had that concern when asked for a copy of my DL from the signing services...Do they need that and if so can you refuse to give it to them and still get work from them?

I know that sounds a bit rambled, but I hope you understand what I am trying to say. Thanks in advance for any and al responses.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 6/1/07 12:37pm
Msg #193163

I never gave copies of my drivers license to signing companies when they requested it. I always told them that on the advice of my attorney I couldn't do it.
I remember one CA notary who gave a copy of her DL etc to a signing company and had her identity stolen. I would not give anyone the opportunity to steal my identity.


This isn't a signing service though, the woman came to me for a regular notarization. I wasn't "hired" by the title company or a signing service.

Reply by Loretta Reed on 6/1/07 12:37pm
Msg #193164

Re: Follow up......I got an email yesterday....

Signing company that I have never worked with before emailed requesting a copy of my drivers license AND social security card. What!!??? I don't want to do this.

Do they really need this? Come on, there is an attorney peeking in here somewhere.

Reply by Loretta Reed on 6/1/07 12:38pm
Msg #193165

Re: Follow up......I got an email yesterday....

Maybe we should ask all employees of title companies and signing services for a copy of their ID's for our records.

Reply by Terri_CA on 6/1/07 12:40pm
Msg #193167

Re: Follow up......I got an email yesterday....

No one needs a copy of your DL, ask 'em why but still don't provide it. Do what Sylvia states, on the advice of my attorney I cannot do so. Re the SS Card, provide them with a W-9 with your EIN number on it. That's all you have to provide. The W-9 is your certification that the number on it is your Tax Payer ID number. Thus, that's all the company needs to keep on file for anyone they pay.

Terri
Lancaster, CA

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 6/1/07 12:41pm
Msg #193168

Re: Follow up......I got an email yesterday....

I wouldn't send a copy of either. I always used an EIN instead of SSN.

Reply by JenCA on 6/1/07 12:44pm
Msg #193169

Re: Follow up......I got an email yesterday....

Yeah I mean I have sent mine out... DL that is... but looking at it hindsight, they really can steal your identity. Thank you Sylvia for that piece of advice and making me open my eyes a little wider. STill very new to all of this, really trying to learn the ropes without making any MAJOR mistakes.

Reply by WDMD on 6/1/07 12:56pm
Msg #193172

Re: Follow up......I got an email yesterday....

"Signing company that I have never worked with before emailed requesting a copy of my drivers license AND social security card. What!!??? I don't want to do this.

Do they really need this? Come on, there is an attorney peeking in here somewhere."

I got an e-mail like that also yesterday. It said that only licensed title producers should apply. Also said they needed the info to verify who you are. I wonder how many title producers have had their identity stolen and had the identity thief apply for work from that company.

Reply by kcg on 6/1/07 1:03pm
Msg #193174

Re: Follow up......I got an email yesterday....

When asked for a D/L - I send a copy with the number blacked out and have never had anyone tell me that it wasn't acceptable. I have a BGC certificate so if what they want it for is to do one, this tells them it is unnecessary.

It is impertive to get an EIN number if you don't already have one. It is so simple to get one and really gives you peace of mind. Do not send you ss# to anyone! When I go to the doctor's office and they ask for my number, I give them the last 4 numbers. Lots of id's stolen out of those type of offices.

Reply by Kevin/Ct on 6/1/07 1:06pm
Msg #193176

Re: Follow up......I got an email yesterday....

You are not required to provide them with a copy of your driver's license. That is simply a request that they have made to satisfy themselves they have properly identified you. If you wish you can provide alternate authentication of your identity of a less sensitive nature.

They may need a ss number to issue the year end 1099 form, but you can get around that by applying for a Federal Tax I D Number.

Reply by ZeeCA on 6/1/07 5:06pm
Msg #193215

LAST TIME THIS WAS DISCUSSED I CALLED IRS AS

it was claimed "irs requires this and they were just following the law"

accoriding to IRS there is NO law or recommendation for a DL and they said you should NEVER give them your DL...

so there!

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 6/1/07 1:29pm
Msg #193178

And another follow up. Title company

Majestic Title just called. Said they had to verify identities of notaries when any docs were signed outside of their office. (They are in Glen Burnie, MD), and they needed a copy of my commission and drivers license. My name was unfamiliar with them so they had to be sure. I told them to check NotaryRotary for my name
I told them I would be happy to fax them my commission, but they could always check with the SOS. They said they were trying to get Brevard county on the phone. I said the county does not issue our commissions, the state does.
She said it is because of fraud issues they need a copy of my drivers license or government issued ID. I told her it is because of fraud issues I won't provide it. I let her know that their client whose signature I notarized had already seen my identification.
She is going to get back with me.

For crying in a bucket, the signer came to my home address, saw my identification. What do they think happened here, that someone stole my seal and took possession of my home while they notarized the woman's signature!

Reply by Gerry_VT on 6/1/07 1:54pm
Msg #193180

. . . or government issued ID

Why not send them a copy of your fishing license?

Reply by Lee/AR on 6/1/07 2:17pm
Msg #193185

Re: . . . or government issued ID

Or your Concealed Weapon Permit Photo ID... that ought to make 'em feel real secure. LOL
P.S. I do get those fairly often in Arkansas. I always ask for 2 IDs---just in case.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 6/1/07 2:19pm
Msg #193186

Re: . . . or government issued ID

Sorry - don't fish
Only other ID I have is my military ID and my passport. Hmm wonder if I can send them my expired British passport? LOL
There is absolutley no real legal reason for them to have a copy of my ID. I faxed them my commission certificate. They can always request verification from the SOS - which would require them to send the document to the SOS with a certification fee, and they could verify my certificate.

Reply by jba/fl on 6/1/07 2:58pm
Msg #193191

Re: . . . or government issued ID

There is a site one can go, with no chg, to see if a notary is comm. in FL. Also, if you have DL# you can get verification of DL validity, when exp., etc.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 6/1/07 3:22pm
Msg #193193

Re: . . . or government issued ID

Yes, I told them they can check online
http://notaries.dos.state.fl.us/

I am not prone to even giving them my DL number, they have no valid reason to have it.

Reply by jba/fl on 6/1/07 3:27pm
Msg #193195

Sylvia - sent you pm n/m

Reply by DogmongerCA on 6/1/07 4:28pm
Msg #193206

I have sent my DL to many companies

But with all the information except name and photo and expiration blacked out. Most companies have the same reason for the request. If they send you on a mobile assignemt and do no establish that you are and licensed driver, and you are involved in a accident. They have some implied liability. I am not an attorney nor do I pose as one on the internet, just relaying the same reason I have gotten for years. :-)

PS. I would not provide a John Q Public with a copy of anything, blacked out or not....

Reply by SharonMN on 6/1/07 4:44pm
Msg #193209

Re: I have sent my DL to many companies

Dogmonger, don't let those companies fool you - you are an independent contractor and how you get to your assignment is not their concern as long as you get there timely and get the job done. You could walk, dogsled, or have your grandma drive you. They have no liability - just as you are not responsible if a roofer you hired crashes on the way to your house.

In fact, I can think of two perfectly legitimate situations where a mobile notary might not even possess a driver license. Someone whose service area is Manhattan might take a cab or subway to appointments. A disabled signing agent might have a driver take them to their assignments.

I will send my DL with info blacked out just to be cooperative - but I always refuse requests to provide my car insurance information.

Reply by DogmongerCA on 6/1/07 6:13pm
Msg #193222

You forget Sharon I live in the land of fruits and nuts

devoid of common sense. We have illegal aliens sueing farmers because the Labor Subcontrators crash the van taking them to the fields and winning.

There is no mass transit in the foothills of the great Sierra Nevadas, and darnit, I am neither disabled or have a driver. Seems a reasonable request absent of the info that might be used to steal a idenity.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 6/1/07 5:18pm
Msg #193217

Re: I have sent my DL to many companies

This wasn't a mobile assignment though. The woman came to me to have her signature notarized. Absolutley no valid reason for them to need my drivers license. (Hmm maybe I should have driven from the living room into the office..............)

Reply by DogmongerCA on 6/1/07 6:19pm
Msg #193224

No hold on Miss Sylvia, don't shoot the messenger:-)

Most ask for this information when you first start doing business with a new company. Certainly in this one case, their was no need for you to drive. But given most instances where we are required to travel, I don't see this as a big deal. Especially if you delete the everything but your picture, name and expiration. Proves you are licensed to drive, and proves their due dilligence. Given the climate of the legal system out here, seems like a reasonable request. Not founded in law, just my opinion:-)

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 6/2/07 12:37pm
Msg #193362

Re: No hold on Miss Sylvia, don't shoot the messenger:-)

Would never shoot you Dogmonger
But, my husband always does the driving, and I would never send a copy of his drivers license to anyone.I haven't driven in several years.

Reply by PAW on 6/1/07 3:28pm
Msg #193196

Re: . . . or government issued ID

https://www6.hsmv.state.fl.us/dlcheck/dlcheckinq

Reply by PAW on 6/1/07 3:34pm
Msg #193199

Above link is to verify Driver's Licenses n/m

Reply by Philip Johnson on 6/1/07 4:04pm
Msg #193201

Mine wouldn't work, any ideas? :) n/m

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 6/1/07 4:17pm
Msg #193203

Re: Mine wouldn't work, any ideas? :)

it is for Florida drivers licenses

I got your PM but it wouldn't let me reply
My British passport expired about 15 years before I became a US citizen.
Actually traveled to the US and back on the expired passport. No problem entering the US I was on a military flight and had military ID and my alien registration card, but getting back into England I was lucky I had a member of the then government verify I was OK
(We had been stationed back in England after I had been here several years, and we had an emergency and had to travel back to the US and I didn't have time to get my passport renewed)

Reply by jba/fl on 6/1/07 4:58pm
Msg #193212

Move to FL but why you would leave God's country is beyond

me. I'm from Seattle, and wonder how I got here....miss the mountains and even the rain now that we are in drought conditions.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 6/1/07 5:27pm
Msg #193220

Re: Never thought I'd see the day the weatherman

would be saying "tropical storm" and I'd be saying "YESS!!!"