Posted by LynnNC on 2/9/08 3:06pm
Msg #234809

Let People Know When You’re On Assignment

While I realize that many NSAs don’t like NNA and disagree with their turning out a large number of NSAs, they occasionally have some helpful information. This was in their most recent NSA e-newsletter:

“Let People Know When You’re On Assignment –

Signing Agents often work late hours on evenings and weekends. In the event something goes wrong or a problem arises — for example, if the Agent has a flat tire in an unfamiliar neighborhood, a signer becomes unruly, or other similar problems arise—it’s important for the Signing Agent to let someone know their schedule.

When going on assignment the Signing Agent should always provide a trusted associate or family member with the time and address of the signing, and an estimated return time.

As an additional precaution, the Notary Signing Agent can arrange for someone to call at a prearranged time to check on the Agent’s well-being. In the event of a serious emergency, the Agent can arrange a simple code word with a contact to insert into the conversation.

For example, if a concerned relative called an agent during a signing, and the signer has become angry and will not let the Agent leave the premises, the Agent might use the word “stress” when receiving a check-in call, as in “I can’t talk right now. I’m under a lot of stress.” The Agent’s contact would then know something was wrong and be able to contact authorities with the Agent’s location to request assistance.”

Reply by pleasantonCA on 2/9/08 3:11pm
Msg #234812

Excellent advice! I also call my husband when done w/appts.

This gives him peace of mind and sets a habit for me. No questioning on whether he should be concerned or not.

Reply by rengel/CA on 2/9/08 5:29pm
Msg #234815

Yep, I always call my sweetie when I arrive at the borrower's house and then call again when I get back into my car. It just gives us both peace of mind.

Reply by rengel/CA on 2/9/08 5:29pm
Msg #234816

and...

He always has the address of where I am going.

Reply by Bernice/CA on 2/9/08 7:43pm
Msg #234833

Re: and...

Very good idea...
Always good to have someone know where you are especially on late night signings.

Reply by CF on 2/9/08 8:31pm
Msg #234836

Re: and...

I call my hubby when I am done or he calls me 1/2 hour into the appointment- thinking that I should be done- 1/2 hour is my average time for a straight refi. If I am not done- he always asks a couple of yes or no questions- are you sure that everything is fine? BO's are very receptive....and never has anyone been "bothered" that I answered his call. Actually- most BO's say that it is a good idea.

YOU CAN NEVER BE TOO CAREFUL!!!!!!!

Trust your gut.....do not go in or excuse yourself by saying that you have to go out to the car for a paper. I keep all of my stuff neatly together. I could grab my purse and my stamp and be out in a flash!!!

Reply by sue_pa on 2/10/08 7:15am
Msg #234850

I've never understood the paranoia of signing agents when I've seen these type posts over the years. I have NEVER been afraid of one of my borrowers. Of course I realize that something can go wrong with all sorts of situations in an instant. "Code words" and prearranged phone calls checking in? Why would anyone still be sitting at someone's kitchen table if they were in a position where they needed a 'code' word? Who actually thinks the plumber, electrician, handyman, landscaper, etc., gives their daily schedule to someone so they check up on them. If I've got a flat tire, I've got AAA. I am smart and cautious enough not to roll down my window or get out of the car for a stranger to help me. This can also happen on your way home from the mall. If a signer becomes 'unruly' how is my sweetums 2 counties away going to help me? I am smart enough to get out the door myself should 'unruly' ever come into play. Perhaps because I've been self-reliant for many decades I don't get this. There is seldom a day when I could give my schedule to someone in the a.m. and actually complete my day with that same schedule. I truly would like one true life example of a signer not allowing the notary to leave the premises - at least in PA, that's kidnapping. If they won't allow you to leave, why does anyone think they'd allow them to have a phone conversation. I just don't get it.

Reply by CF on 2/10/08 9:26am
Msg #234853

I think that you are being a little naive about the situations that we all face everyday! Going into the best of homes in the best of neighborhoods COULD be dangerous. To be a women and in the business-you need to be careful and know what you are doing.

I take offense to what you said...weather it was directed to me or not. I am one of the MOST independent women that you will ever find....and I am still cautious about doing my job. I have been in a couple of "strange" situations where I was getting a bad vibe from single male signers- that we were alone in the house. OK- that is a reality....and you can still be in danger with a women present too! There are a lot of freaks out there!!!!!

Whatever- you can call it paranoia- that is not what it is

Reply by CARID on 2/10/08 2:01pm
Msg #234863

This is great advise. I have done this for years !!! n/m

Reply by sue_pa on 2/11/08 8:06am
Msg #234897

sorry, we'll have to agree to disagree. It COULD be dangerous to walk to my own mailbox every afternoon. I am more worried about the stupid crack addict robbing the convenience store while I buy my iced tea than I am about a borrower. Bank robbery is the rage in my area the past few months - surely I'm more concerned with bank robbers than Mr. and Mrs. Borrower in their own home. While I agree there COULD be a wierdo out there who applied for a loan and is lying in wait for the timid notary to come to their home or someone who is just so wacko over the loan process that they kidnap the notary, this just isn't a situation that would EVER be of any more than the most miniscule amount of concern to me. I am not talking about the IDIOT who actually sat there and allowed porn to be shown on a big screen tv without opening her mouth or the IDIOT who had a discussion with Mr. Borrower at the car door - while Mrs. Borrower who waited on the porch - as to why she couldn't go on a date with him BECAUSE those people don't belong in this business - or any business dealing with the public one on one. Being smart and cautious and aware of your environment should be a part of every minute of your day, sad to say, but 'dangerous' would not be a word I'd ever connect with this job.

One time years ago I had a man flip the kitchen table over - along with everything on it. Wife was lying about the credit card debt - even I figured that out after about the second sentence out of her mouth. How long do you think I was there? I had NO conversation with them. I stood up and out the door I went stating, while I was walking, that they should contact their LO when they were ready to sign. I didn't care about the paperwork all over the kitchen. They weren't even looking at me. Was I afraid of him? No - but I knew he was going to belt her and I wasn't going to be witness. I've said it before - I've been in more houses than most on these boards and I HAVE NEVER BEEN AFRAID OF A BORROWER - perhaps the condition of their home or the neighborhood they live in, but that's another story for another day ...

Again, why anyone would be sitting at a table where they were so concerned that they needed a code word at a randomly incoming phone call is just beyond me. If something is not right, get yourself out of there. If you are that afraid to go to a borrower's home, why are you doing this job?

And no, CF, none of this was nor is directed at you.

Reply by Dennis_IN on 2/10/08 5:43pm
Msg #234869

I've only been threatened by a guy saying he was "going to get his gun". I was out there before he got back.

This business can be very dangerous. You are going into someone's home, this happened to be a nasty divorce situation that I was unaware of...in rural KY.

Reply by snoopdogMs on 2/10/08 7:50pm
Msg #234878

I have a personal policy

If I get a call for a loan with a single man in his home, I tell the hiring entity that I will not go to a home with a man alone unless he is handicapped or incapicitated or there will be other individuals in the home. I get approval to have the borrower meet me at a restaurant or public location which could be the lobby of a hotel if he is staying in the hotel. If my policy is a problem they can just move on to someone else. I have yet to have a borrower that had a problem meeting in a public place. They understand the dynamics in todays world.

Reply by SharonMN on 2/11/08 12:50pm
Msg #234941

Re: I have a personal policy

I have to agree with Sue here. Yes, it's smart to consider that you may face personal safety concerns beyond what an employee in an office would face. However, these are the same concerns faced by many other professionals that make house calls, such as repair people, home nurses, cleaners, delivery people, etc. At least most of our signers went through all the trouble of applying for a loan (I'm more suspicious of calls from the general public.) Being in strangers' houses is part of the job - if it makes you uncomfortable enough to institute security measures beyond what the average person in one of these other occupations would do, I would suggest another occupation. (Hey, Snoop: would you be annoyed if your furnace went out and the repair guy wouldn't come to your house unless you promised to have another person present? I sure would.)

Reply by snoopdogMs on 2/11/08 1:32pm
Msg #234947

agree to disagree

I don't think that you throw the baby out with the bathwater. As an independant agent, I can set my perimeters and as I said the company can hire someone else. Just because a couple of women real estate agents were murdered here in Jackson doesn't mean that all women agents quit their job. What it does mean is that they choose how they show their homes and with whom. My good friend real estate agent takes her husband along if it is just a man. I have yet to have a borrower that has had a problem with closing in a public place and showed no displeasure whatsoever. As I said I never do this without the permission from the company first and then the borrower. It is true that 99.9% of the borrowers are fine people. Most of the companies have no problem either since I ask before I contact the borrower. It is their call and they can just move on if they are concrete about closing in the home.

Reply by BrendaTx on 2/11/08 4:32pm
Msg #234967

Re: agree to disagree

I don't blame you for your stance, but I do think you are a little more concerned than you need to be...but hey, you didn't ask me, now did you?

Real estate agents are sitting ducks. No one knows the lone real estate shopper who calls and asks them for a tour of empty, secluded homes.

However, when we take an assignment it is from a third party...not the lone borrower...and they lone borrower knows that if they have a blood curdling, maniacal, menacing interest in the notary they'll be the party who is looked at if the notary goes missing.

The typical serial killer or serial rapist is smarter than that. Otherwise, they wouldn't be "serial" rapists and/or killers...they'd already be caught.