Posted by desktopfull on 9/25/08 4:57am
Msg #265272

Another NSA rip off scam

I receive this email rip off scam last night, designed to fill the coffers of another company, much like the XYZ Association:

September 24, 2008
NOTARY CHATTER
October 2008

I spoke with my attorney on setting up a Notary Union. It was advised that I set up a "Non-Profit" corporation. I am ready to do so. Are you?

We can go after these deadbeats as a group. So if you are tired of being ripped off now is the time to do something. These guys are going to continue taking our money as long as we are willing to let them do it.

Before "I" invest any money, I need your commitment. The web site can be designed and updated as money becomes available. Advertising can be done via word of mouth and internet. I am a member of the NNA Signing Agent section so I have access to tons of notaries.

We need to call it a corporation and not use the word union. So, send in names for the corporation and the members will vote on a name for our union. The majority will rule.

Membership fees will be: initial one-time join fee of $50.00 plus $10/monthly dues. Those who upgraded their membership in notarybeware.com will pay an initial fee of $35.00 since I will transfer all collections to the union.

This will be the last time I try to organize us to go after these deadbeats. So, here's the deal. If you are interested I feel we need at least 50 + members to get started.

Initially I would prefer you send in a check so that if there isn't enough of interest your check will be shredded. Paypal will cost me money to receive so your check would be short by that amount.

Please email me with questions.

Linda
Notarybeware.com
[e-mail address]
PO Box 404, Craig, CO 81626

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm really tired of people dreaming up ways to rip off notaries. This is the response that I sent to Linda:

Given the fact that most of the companies ripping us off have filed
bankruptcy, there isn't a thing that a Notary Union could do other than put
money in your pocket. Thanks, but NO THANKS. I really wish that people
like you and the NNA would quit dreaming up ways to rip off notaries.
Please take my name off of your mailing list.

Reply by Leon_CO on 9/25/08 7:30am
Msg #265281

** Membership fees will be: initial one-time join fee of $50.00 plus $10/monthly dues. **
_____________________________________________________

What's the point of joining if it will eventually cost you more to belong than you're owed?

That's $170 for the first year, and $120 every year after that.

No thanks. I can collect on my own.

** I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm really tired of people dreaming up ways to rip off notaries. **
________________________

Look who's talkin'.

Reply by desktopfull on 10/5/08 9:44pm
Msg #266457

Look who's talkin'.


Care to explain? I'm not ripping off anyone or offering any type of fee based services to notaries. I merely posted, IMO, about another company that wants to charge a monthly fee for collecting debts. Even a collection agency only takes a percentage of what they collect.

Reply by John/CT on 9/25/08 9:33am
Msg #265298

Not Another NSA Rip Off Scam

Gotta' disagree with your conclusion ... I don't believe this is a "rip off", but rather, Linda's well-intended attempt to provide a resource to NSA's who themselves have been ripped off. Everyone has the choice to either opt in or out of her proposal, but I think its unfair to imply a dishonest motive on Linda's part by publically ripping into her in public. Linda has provided a valuable service with her NotaryBeware, and I will continue to subscribe to the program.

Reply by MW/VA on 9/25/08 9:57am
Msg #265310

Re: Not Another NSA Rip Off Scam

I also believe her intentions are honorable. I do question the attempt to establish a "union" and attain non-profit status. There are several others that have atttempted something similar & not been successful, including the UNAA. I'm all for going against "deadbeats" in groups rather than individually. IMO class actions suits would be called for in some cases
(like SOX). I am not, however, interested in becoming a member of a union.

Reply by Steven Pearce on 9/25/08 10:09am
Msg #265315

I'm kinda surprised that people would PAY to join

Notary Beware. I can look here in Notary Rotary to see who the deadbeats are. I just turned down Proficiency Signings due to a bad track record here.

Now there is also USA-Signing Agent dot com looking to insert themselves as a middleman to the middlemen.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
e-mail;
USA-SigningAgent was created for the purpose to help you expand your business by marketing your mobile notary services directly to the signing companies, title and escrow companies, mortgage brokers, and other companies who may need the use of a mobile notary. We created a hassle free, easily accessible directory for companies to search.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yeah, these folks want me to pay them to advertise me to Signing Agencies. I think I can handle that one on my own for free.

Reply by Linda Hubbell on 9/25/08 10:15am
Msg #265316

Initial membership Fee $35-$50/person - minimum 50 people = $1,750 - $2500..

$10/month - 50 people = $500/month X 12 = $6,000/year

So, initial annual income based on minimum 50 person membership - $7,750 - $8,500...

Does it cost that much to incorporate? I, also, don't like the word "Union" - sounds like a fee-based national network. MHO

Reply by MW/VA on 9/25/08 10:23am
Msg #265320

Yes, it isn't something that could justify cost for me. Linda is a business person & I respect that. She moved from a "membership fee" to additional charges for her "arbitration with ss" & now this. It comes down to creating new sources of income & I'm not buying it.

Reply by 101livescan on 9/25/08 11:34am
Msg #265340

Last year I got ripped off by Docuservusa for $140 and 11th Hour Signings for $195. I call this, in my business forecast for 2008/09, signingservicestiffing101. It was only a small portion of my signing revenue last year, but now I'm extremely cautious, especially in this climate, of who I work for. I'm not sure the benefits of this new org is worth the expense. Just gotta stay on your toes and be clear and confident about who is calling you for work before you accept their assignments!

Reply by rengel/CA on 9/25/08 11:33am
Msg #265339

Another "employee" mentality

When are some people going to get it through their heads that they are business owners and not employees? Employees join unions, business owners do not.
My .02

Reply by MistarellaFL on 9/25/08 12:05pm
Msg #265344

Re: Another "employee" mentality

Absolutely Rhonda.
We are professional business owners, not employees.

I would rather notarybeware.com focus on creating a standard for signing agencies.
I would rather see them become reputable by being held to similar standards as other professional staffing agencies.