Posted by PJM/MI on 10/9/08 7:31pm
Msg #266845

First American Background check

I received an email from First Am today telling me as of 12/01/08, I need to have a background check through the NNA and the NNA ONLY or they will not send me any work.
Even an FBI background check is not good enough.
Any help you can give us on this, Harry?

Reply by Deb_AL on 10/9/08 7:57pm
Msg #266847

Same here. I have a DOD secret clearance and a DHS secret clearance and that is not good enough. I refuse to pay for another year of NNA just to get a background check for a company that is mandating NNA only.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 10/9/08 8:31pm
Msg #266850

Interesting...

I have the check done because somebody else paid for it for me, and some people just like to see it, whether it actually means anything to me or not.

That background check didn't seem all that deep, though. Not that there was anything *to* find of course.

It's a simple NexisLexis search... what I found odd is that even though I gave them my maiden name, (I've been married for not quite 9 years) my maiden name did not show up on the report. They found all of the addresses I have used since I've been married, but none previous to that.

It covered:

InstaCheck - Identity Verification
Multi-State Court Search (National Criminal)
Blocked Persons List (OFAC)
Criminal Records Search
Driving Record Report


If they searched using my maiden name, it's not indicated on the report at all. Not that there are any criminal records there, I just found it odd. I went back to look a the application under the AKA I filled out, and my maiden name *is* listed.

Reply by marilyn pitts on 10/9/08 9:05pm
Msg #266852

I got the same email and I think that there is really a conspiracy going on here. Oh well the NNA has gone and done it to us again. What does everyone else think about this?

Reply by EastTxNotary on 10/9/08 9:08pm
Msg #266853

I'm thinking I won't be working for FASS.

Reply by Lee/AR on 10/9/08 9:19pm
Msg #266854

Until they need you. Then they conveniently 'forget' that they 'need' a CBC. Jus' mo' NNA hype.

Reply by Allison_MI on 10/10/08 6:41am
Msg #266879

i do very little for FASS anyway

Nope not getting a background check]with NNA. I've had one completed twice in the last 2 years for other companies and was able to use them for other companes that requested it, and one company was that lexus nexus....So I'm not becoming an NNA member nor getting their bc check.

Reply by pan/nd on 10/9/08 10:47pm
Msg #266862

In these troubled times...nobody is going to PAY for a background check.

I wouldn't PAY for one if the times weren't troubled.

So, Fass can go Fass-ting (fasting).

If they need you....the background check fades away instantly.

Heck, I'm not even in their system and they call me with some regularity.

Reply by Accesstoledo on 10/9/08 10:56pm
Msg #266864

I, too received this same E=mail. I guess our NPSC Level 3 isn't any good. Harry can you apply any pressure.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 10/9/08 11:06pm
Msg #266868

If you're in California...you pay or...

you don't get your commission. LOL

But other services? Yeah... if they want it done, they should pay for it, or accept the commissions of the notaries from states who already had it done.

Since I'm from Cali myself, it really seems redundant to go through another BG check.


But I can see why some companies are going with the NNA...because it's a standardized check for all notaries across the country. Not all notaries go through a complete check before getting their commission. And, obviously there are issues with the NNA's level of check, but it is more in depth than some states require.

If all states required the same level of check for notaries...I doubt this would be an issue.

Reply by Maureen_nh on 10/9/08 11:15pm
Msg #266869

Re: If you're in California...you pay or...

If I remember correctly, this was brought up a short while ago, I do not know what company it was, but so many notaries wrote in that they would not deal with the NNA, although they would deal with just about anyone else that we were given a choice.
I did have to pay, not a lot, but at least my money didn't go to to the NNA.
Worked once, if we stand united on this little deal, it might work again.

Reply by m_fl on 10/10/08 5:23am
Msg #266877

This is an excellant Idea!

Lets band together and refuse to use the NNA and maybe they will allow another background check. I personally dont find it surprising with this company though and all their nutty rules! The sucky part is that it is the only company calling me on a semi-regular basis.

Reply by PAW on 10/10/08 9:13am
Msg #266894

Cost prohibitive, redundant and incomplete

Having a check done by the NNA is expensive and requires membership and certification.

[quote NNA]
# Do I need to be certified through the NNA if I received my certification through another Notary education provider?

Yes. Only the NNA's complete certification and training process includes the background screening now accepted by the major title and lending companies. The NNA's certification program and screening was designed through consultation with a task force of these industry leaders. The NNA offers a complete training, certification and screening process approved by these lenders.
[end quote]

Further, many notaries already have had a more comprehensive background check done by other agencies for other purposes. (Loan officer, brokers, title agents, etc. for example.) Someone recently posted that the check performed by LexisNexis (which is what the NNA uses, I think), was flawed, incomplete and even incorrect. LexisNexis states:

[quote]
A criminal conviction is a public record yet -- unless you have FBI clearance -- there is no comprehensive search available to find out if a person has been convicted for committing a crime anywhere in the U.S. Instead, you can search the available online sources and hire services to check the records of other courts where an individual lived.
[end quote]

>>> because it's a standardized check for all notaries across the country. <<<

I hate to disagree with this statement. But the background checks performed at the local, county and state level vary considerably between those jurisdictions. Actually, the FBI and Homeland Security checks are somewhat varied as well.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 10/10/08 12:26pm
Msg #266917

I suppose I should clarify...

When I said "standardized" I mean that the NNA's check is standardized in that they use the same company and standards in evaluating the results of the findings... I didn't necessarily mean that the findings were very accurate or complete. I think I mentioned here yesterday that I have the NNA check done (someone else paid for it for me) and even though I gave them my maiden name, the report did not pull up anything from before I got married 8 years ago. There wasn't anything to find, of course, but the addresses they listed only went back to that point and the report did not list my maiden name at all.

Since being married I've lived in 2 states. But before I got married I lived in 5 different states. None of that showed up in the check. In my case there was nothing to find...but I can imagine they miss a lot.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 10/12/08 2:05am
Msg #267084

Re: Cost prohibitive, redundant and incomplete

Yep!! That's the gripe I have with them -- the attempt to manipulate notaries to pay for all their services. When I was a newbie, I had their certification and would have qualified to get their background check, even though I didn't know a fraction of what I knew two years later. But when that time came, the NNA then wanted me to pay all over again so I could retain the so-called Certification -- including again paying for a book I already had with no new information. I wasn't getting any calls from having two different NNA memberhips and couldn't even view my listing to see if it was showing up correctly. I couldn't see any benefit from those "required" memberships.

Fast forward a few years and a couple of thousand of signings later, and they still want me to pay for two useless memberships and a meaningless certification before they'll sell me a background check?? (That's if I wanted one... I just renewed this summer and the state conducted a more thorough check than the NNA would have obtained.) Naturally, most of you know what I'm talking about. Many experienced notaries could *teach* their certification course, but they want us to pay for that training all over again every two years. It doesn't make sense and feels like extortion to not have a choice about all the other fees they require. And it's too bad, because they'd probably get a lot more business if they didn't try to force upon us all their different fees. I might have even kept my membership(s).

Fortunately, I haven't found it a hindrance when it comes to getting work. Most of the companies requiring it don't pay worth a hill of beans and the one company I worked regularly for that claims we need a BGC has never stopped calling.

Reply by MW/VA on 10/10/08 8:59am
Msg #266891

We all know that the NNA has been successful in convincing many major companies that they set the industry standard. It's a personal choice to go along with it or not. I did, because I have benefited from having the credentials. It's funny, actually, because a class action suit was brought against LexisNexis Risk Management for a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. If you read my post from about a week ago, I received a check for $1,000 from the settlement. In this case it really paid me to have the BCG through NNA.

Reply by CF on 10/10/08 9:13am
Msg #266895

That company is a joke- and only offers lowball fees when they call me- all the posts about thier system and such- are some people working for more than $40.00 b/c that is what they offer me when they call! I have not worked form them in over 3 years!

Reply by Sandra Clark on 10/10/08 10:06am
Msg #266903

Received the same email and will decline to have it done thru NNA. JUst another money crubbing scheme for NNA. We have had our screenings done and would not be opposed to another, just not thru NNA. Cited the problems other notaries have had with their screenings and the settlements received as a result of inaccurate information being received. Also, will they also be screening the janitors, receptionists, file clerks, cafeteria help and everyone that comes into their buildings on business? If they (fass) enforce this, I won't be in their data base. Yes, I have defended fass, they have paid me well but I reserve the right to say who will do my screenings - not NNA, not fass.

Reply by Daniel Woodman on 10/10/08 10:48am
Msg #266908

I just e-mailed a reply to FASS and told them I will NOT pay $99 EVERY TWO YEARS to the NNA in order to receive their "special" certification and background screening! For what FASS pys and the number of closings they send me, this is NOT worth it! I, too, have had other background checks completed and I have nothing in my past to worry about. I have signing companies that pay me a STARTING fee of $100 per refi closing, and they are perfectly content with my existing background check. This is a rip-off...coercion...the beginnings of a cartel. Okay, that may be a little extreme, but you get my point. I agree with other who have stated that we need to stand together and refuse this new mandate. If nothing else, hopefully it will encourage FASS to put pressure on the NNA to offer a standalone product for background screening, with nothing else (like certification) attached. If they did that, I would pay the $20 to have it done through the NNA. I too like FASS--low fees and all. They're consistent and pay on time. But during these tough times, this is an absurd requirement.

Reply by NC_Notary on 10/10/08 12:10pm
Msg #266915

I called the NNA and they told me they use Signix/Lexis to handle the background checks for them. I also am outraged that they are throwing this on us under the current economic situation. I don't even have the cash flow right now to get the kids gifts for Christmas and they want us to lay out $100!!!!!

I did speak to someone at Signix and they will call FASS to see if they would accept the background check outside of the NNA and they will certify it as well. Unfortunately it will still cost $50 to do this.....

Reply by MichiganAl on 10/10/08 11:59pm
Msg #266981

Here's the right way to do it

One of my clients received that letter stating that all of her signing agents must have the background check done. They're not a signing service, more like a staffing company from what I can tell. They have a couple of title companies that sometimes need NSAs in-house for the day. She sent those of us that do work for her a letter indicating that First American needed the background check, asked us for our info, and stated that the background check would be done at no cost to us. Now isn't that the way to do business? She's taking responsibility for the people that she's hiring and sending out to her title companies.