Posted by Julie/IL on 12/2/08 9:48pm
Msg #270935

Did anyone else get this email from LSI?

Dear Signing Agent:

More and more lenders are requiring that LSI use signing agents who have passed a background check or are certified by the National Notary Association (NNA).

For LSI purposes, we prefer our signing agents be NNA certified and pass the NNA background screening. LSI recognizes NNA’s comprehensive background screening which includes Identity Verification Search, Office of Foreign Asset Controls (OFAC) search, DMV report and Criminal History Report.

LSI is aware that some agents do not wish to go through the NNA certification process but are willing to obtain their own background report. To accommodate signing agents not participating in the NNA program, LSI partnered with Lexis Nexis Screening Solutions, Inc. to provide an avenue to obtain your own background report at a low cost.

You may obtain your own background report online by submitting your information to https://specialtyscreening.lexisnexis.com/application. For a limited time only – through December 31, 2008 - the cost is $30 plus applicable county and DMV access fees. As of January 1, 2009 the fee will be $40 plus applicable county and DMV fees. We encourage you to act quickly to take advantage of the reduced cost.

The process takes between 3 to 7 business days. You may pay by credit card. Please note that LSI will not reimburse signing agents for the cost of background reports.

Results of background reports obtained thru Lexis Nexis will be accessible to LSI. NNA certified agents or signing agents who have successfully passed the background screening will be given priority assignments. Agents who have failed background screening will be deactivated from our system.

If you have obtained your own background screening (DMV, Criminal History, OFAC, Identity Verification) thru reputable screening agencies, please forward this to us for review and consideration. Please send this to [e-mail address].

Charts containing state specific county court and DMV / Motor Vehicle fees by state is attached below. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you.



National Vendor Management Group
[e-mail address]

Reply by LKT/CA on 12/2/08 9:58pm
Msg #270936

Didn't receive that email but received something similar from Bancserv awhile back. Just another attempt to separate the Notary from whatever money they have. California Notaries are background checked by the CA Department of Justice and the FBI (nationally) as a state requirement to even get their commission in the first place, therefore, any CA notary falling for this....just kiss your $30 or $40 + DMV fees goodbye.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 12/2/08 11:01pm
Msg #270953

It's really frustrating, especially for the CA notaries who have already had to pay ~$75 for the fingerprints and DOJ/FBI checks just to get their commissions. Of course, only the notaries who are new or have renewed in 2008 have had the FBI part of it done.

I have the NNA Screening simply because someone else paid for it for me. I doubt I'd willingly pay for it on my own. I have found some people really do care about the NNA screening, no matter how I feel about it.

I've been contemplating paying for the one here at NotRot simply for marketing purposes. I've been doing plenty of searching and in the area where I'm moving next month, there are plenty of notaries, but not a single one of them within 40 miles has done the background check as reported on the profiles here. So I have to wonder if it a) is even necessary or b) a great marketing opportunity to set myself apart.

I do understand why some companies want to do BGCs. Honestly, a whole lot of states don't really have a strong screening process for their notaries. For notaries in those such states, I think they SHOULD get the checks done. But if LSI is requiring CA notaries, especially from those with commissions starting in 2008, to have the checks done, too... it seems a but redundant and silly.

Reply by MW/VA on 12/3/08 8:43am
Msg #270973

According to Para. 4 & 7 you don't have to get the BGC through NNA. I did the NNA thing, only because it was convenient & give me the credentials I want vs. required by anyone to have. I know you can go directly the LexisNexis and it is not very expensive. IMO I stil don't think it's a bad thing to have a bgc in our business, as we can assure the borrowers that their information is handled safely.

Reply by jojo_MN on 12/3/08 2:08pm
Msg #271011

"I stil don't think it's a bad thing to have a bgc in our business, as we can assure the borrowers that their information is handled safely."

How can that assure the borrowers anything? All it says is that you haven't been convicted of any felonies, etc. It says nothing about how their information is stored, or if you sell it.

As far as the BGC, when you got your notary commission and/or license, your state did a BGC. Do a search of past posts regarding this matter. It really isn't even required by law.

Reply by MW/VA on 12/3/08 3:21pm
Msg #271029

That isn't necessarily correct. While some states require a course & bgc to become a notary, others do not. Virginia has no such requirements.

Reply by Sharon Taylor on 12/3/08 9:15pm
Msg #271057

It was in my junk mail, where it belonged

I found the first email and the followup email when I checked my junk email folder a couple of hours ago. Figured it was in the right place and hit the delete button. LOL

Reply by parkerc/ME on 12/4/08 8:12am
Msg #271073

I just got this yesterday. I'm not surprised. IMHO, I think we'll see more SS, TC, lenders requiring SA's to have BGC's...gives them more of a comfort zone in complying with the GLBA customer privacy requirements. I have no problem with BGC requirements. As a former fed employee, that was routine. I did notice that LSI said LexusNexus was offering a limited time price reduction. My LexNex BGC came with the NNA SA course fee, but I'll be shopping around when that expires.

Reply by parkerc/ME on 12/4/08 8:39am
Msg #271079

Oops! I meant Lexis Nexis (sp)

Reply by GY_CT on 12/8/08 8:32pm
Msg #271466

Of course. Everyone in LSI's SA db got it. And it's virtually the same email that other companies have sent out. The notion that lenders --all on their own-- are suddenly coming up with a requirement for NNA-certified BGCs and just happen to be generating virtually identical emails is a bit transparent, wouldn't you say?