Posted by Linda Snell on 1/8/08 7:49pm
Msg #229708

Photos of closing agents

A company I do business with wants a photo of me to send to the borrowers, so they will recognize me when I am at their door. I think it is going a little too far. If the borrowers are uncomfortable they can view my id. What about our safety? Any opinions?

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 1/8/08 7:50pm
Msg #229709

Linda
I think there was a discussion a few days ago on this. Go back a few days.

Reply by LKT/CA on 1/8/08 7:59pm
Msg #229713

Tell the company this is a two way street....just as borrowers are uncomfortable having a stranger come to their home, you're just as uncomfortable GOING to a stranger's home. If the borrowers are to have your photo, you will need THEIRS.

Suggest that the borrowers meet you at Starbucks for the signing if they're ssooo uncomfortable.

Reply by CF on 1/8/08 8:26pm
Msg #229719

This just does not make any sense????

How are they going to show borrowers the pictures? Not all borrowers have email...or have the ability to download a picture. So are they making copies of notaries' pictures and sending them via snail mail to the borrowers? I think, personally, they are doing this to see if the agent "looks" professional. I cant imagine that DRI will be sending each borrower a picture of the notary. Second guess, is that they landed some new lender account. They are jumping through hoops to secure the business and tryng to be the best on the block- with added BS benefits to the lender about their customer serivce that they will offer the borrowers. JMHO- and 2 cents. Whatever!!!!!

Reply by Linda Snell on 1/8/08 9:10pm
Msg #229745

I just find it curious that they are doing background checks on us and evidently only credit checks on the borrowers. Twice I have gone to closings where the borrowers admitted to being convicted felons. Now talking about giving our photos to borrowers.

Reply by BobbiCT on 1/9/08 6:59am
Msg #229777

A discrimination lawsuit waiting to happen ....

Glad I won't be the scheduler explaining to the plaintiff's attorney that I gave more assignments to the the white woman because she answered her cell phone before the black man did. Or why, if both are paid the same fee and within reasonable mileage, I decided to call the white woman before the black man.

It is much easier to defend a discrimination claim if your employees are "blind" to the color, race, age, and physical characteristics when deciding which independent contractor gets the call.

Just a personal opinion. (I don't send my photo out.)

Reply by Lee/AR on 1/9/08 9:06am
Msg #229797

Have to agree with Bobbi... tho' we'll probably never know what they've done. Just seems to me to be a sneaky way to 'see' who they are sending out. As stated by others, not everyone has e-mail; are they going to spend the $$ to o/n a picture or the time snail-mailing it (particularly when most assignments only come with at most 2 days notice & often just a few hours---it just doesn't seem very rational that they actually WILL be sending a picture.) Their rational for this? Simply, less signings around so we can be pickier on 'who' we call. That's Discrimination! They really ought to re-think their actions and possible implications. I'd go so far as to suggest that IF you did provide a photo, you start asking B's if they received it. If not, BINGO.

Reply by SharonMN on 1/9/08 6:53pm
Msg #229883

A photo isn't going to add to the borrower's comfort any more than my name will. The lender or title company can call them and say, "Nancy Notary will be there with your documents at 7 p.m. tonight." What are the chances that an axe murderer will just happen to show up at the exact same time and say "Hi, I'm Nancy Notary" - and then the borrower can say, "You don't look like the picture" and not let the ax murderer in?

I think this really points to the fact that in-home signings are NOT always for the borrower's convenience. Many times, people are grateful for the chance to sign at home at their convenience, but others are bullied into doing so by their lender when for various reasons they would rather sign at a title offfice during business hours.

Reply by Ralph Wedertz on 1/10/08 2:49pm
Msg #230027

They were asking for a "professional" photograph. In my estimation, a picture is a picture, so I sent them the one I use on my website. If they don't like that, tough. They don't send that much business out here anyway. I loved your reply Sharon!!!

Reply by bagger on 1/22/10 3:17pm
Msg #319064

I am very new in this business, trying to build up my client base, but here is my responce to DRI.
This does concern me a little.
Security is a two way street. Before I send you a photo, I would like to know EXACTLY what contact information you will be furnishing to the borrower!
If you intend to include my home address and telephone #, or any personal informnation, then I will pass on using working for your organization.
I can and will supply the borrower with all the identification that allows me to board any aircraft in the US (Passport) if required.
If you take on the expense of issuing photo ID's from your organization -WITH NO DECREASE IN MY RATES - that is fine, otherwise I will take a pass.
Keep in mind, we as your agents are also meeting complete strangers in their homes. How many pizza delivery people have been beaten and robbed for the measly tips they carry?

If I lose them as an SS, too bad. If THEIR clints want this, then THEY should foot the bill.