Posted by DD/OR on 12/20/09 10:34pm
Msg #315123

Question

I wonder if any notary here has ever had the borrower ask to see their driver license. And did you show it? It happened to me. Thanks!

Reply by Doris_CO on 12/20/09 10:41pm
Msg #315124

Yes, it's happened a couple of times. I showed it to them. I also offered to show them a copy of my commission, which I carry with me, but no one has asked to see that.

Reply by jba/fl on 12/20/09 10:46pm
Msg #315125

Same as Doris - just once. Why not - I take theirs w/me. n/m

Reply by DD/OR on 12/20/09 11:02pm
Msg #315128

Re: Same as Doris - just once. Why not - I take theirs w/me.

Just because you take a copy of their DL for the company, doesn't mean you have to show them yours. There is no notary law that says you have to show them yours. And until there is, I won't. I think it's rude on their part and they're showing their ignorance. I never ask people that come to my house to show me their DL, no matter who they are.

Reply by PAW on 12/21/09 7:03am
Msg #315140

A word of caution

A homeowner has the absolute right to demand positive identification of anyone entering their home. As a business person, you need to provide this identification to the homeowner. It doesn't have to be your driver's license, but does need to be satisfactory to the homeowner.

If someone knocked on your door saying they were from the water company and need to inspect your plumbing, would you simply allow them entry? Granted, in this case, the homeowner should be expecting someone, but they have no idea who that someone is.

I do recommend that some sort of picture ID be available, especially for those doing RM closings in areas where home invasions are above the norm. Also, check with your local business authorities (and Chamber of Commerce) as some communities are preparing to require picture IDs for anyone who does "in home" services and solicitations.

Reply by MW/VA on 12/21/09 8:16am
Msg #315145

Re: A word of caution

Great advice, Paul. That's how I would see it also.

Reply by DD/OR on 12/21/09 12:26pm
Msg #315179

Re: A word of caution

I partially agree with you. First off, I met the borrowers at a restaurant. Second, we are not required to show our DL. A form of ID, maybe, but not our DL. The DL has an address on it and I don't want anyone to know my address. When a repairman or someone from a company comes they don't show their DL. They may show a business card or some other company ID but not a DL. I still think that anyone that asks to see your DL is up to no good(unless its a store or bank).

Reply by Cari on 12/21/09 2:42pm
Msg #315227

Excellent point PAW! n/m

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 12/20/09 11:41pm
Msg #315130

I think you're wise, DD

I have had two police officer acquaintances tell me to NEVER show your ID to anybody you absolutely don't have to because there are people out there who can quickly memorize alot of the info on your DL. (That's why they ask to see your ID.) So that scared me. If a borrower is so uncomfortable with the concept of a mobile notary, they should have picked another location - like their LO's office, Realtor's office, bank, whatever. Do they ID the appliance repairman, the electrician, the cable guy, the bug sprayer? (I never have.) We're not there to ID ourselves, but the other way around. I, too, carry my commission and business cards. Actually, I've been asked just once for my ID. I thought he was kidding because this happened when that Tom Cruise movie was playing where he was a professional hitman - and had gained entrance to this highly protected and ultra guarded compound to kill someone by posing as a notary! I thought this guy had just seen the movie and was joking around ....

Reply by DD/OR on 12/21/09 12:23am
Msg #315132

Re: I think you're wise, DD

I know. There is absolutely no good reason to show our DL. I was shocked when she asked me and when I refused she started arguing with me. I said "look, I'm not going to argue with you about this. Let me know now if you want me or another notary to do this closing." She said "OK, lets get on with it". I was so angry, I was shaking. I came close to walking out.

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 12/21/09 1:29am
Msg #315133

Re: I think you're wise, DD

I guess the thing to do is just be prepared for this. If you have no problem showing them your DL, then go ahead. But if it's unacceptable to you, just calmly say, sorry, I show my ID only to law enforcement people .. or whatever. And offer your notary commission - I always hand them my biz card to begin with anyway.

Reply by DD/OR on 12/21/09 12:39pm
Msg #315189

Re: I think you're wise, DD

Yes, I also give them a business card. I met the borrowers at a restaurant and they gave me no money to send back so I couldn't understand why they wanted to see my DL. I suspect they wanted to see my address. They could get revenge if their loan went south. I will never show my DL. If they insist they will have to get another notary.

Reply by DD/OR on 12/20/09 10:52pm
Msg #315127

Thanks! I thought she was way out of line. I think borrowers have no right to ask to see your DL. I don't ask to see anybody's DL that comes to my house. I don't show my DL to anyone, except police.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 12/21/09 6:11am
Msg #315135

Yes, I've been asked once by a borrower to show my ID - I showed it along with a copy of my notary commission. These people were very highly educated and quite well off. I had already seen their ID when they asked me. I've also had a couple of other people that I met at Starbucks for private jobs ask how they know I'm a real notary - I showed them a copy of my notary commission.

I agree that if borrowers are expecting you for the appointment that they shouldn't need to see your ID. However, it happens so rarely that I'm not going to worry about it.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 12/21/09 6:16am
Msg #315136

It happens so rarely that I'm not going to worry about it.

Same here.
I have no problem showing my ID to anyone I am involved with in a work setting.
I wouldn't alllow them to copy it, but showing it is no big deal to me.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 12/21/09 6:33am
Msg #315138

Agree, Misty - I would not allow them to copy my ID either. n/m

Reply by Shelly/PA on 12/21/09 7:36am
Msg #315143

Yes, she even wanted to make a copy of my license, since the title company wanted a copy of hers.

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 12/21/09 7:45am
Msg #315144

Yup, it's rare but I have had borrowers wanting to know who exactly is walking thru their front door. I do show my drivers license and TPL when asked. Your a stranger coming into their home can you blame them?

Reply by Frank/NC on 12/21/09 8:38am
Msg #315146

That happened to me once. The only issue there was the borrower's attitude. When we sat down at the table I asked if they had photocopied their I.D. information. In a rather nasty way the borrower stated, "How do I know who you are". I replied with a laugh that they had already let me in their home and I had all the loan documents so where else could I be from? I showed him my identification and the closing continued. I guess I could have come back at him with another statement, possibly in a nasty tone of voice but that would have ended the signing and, with the finicky attitudes of some of our clients I may have lost them also.

Reply by Frank/NC on 12/21/09 8:39am
Msg #315147

Just another thought here. All of what we are discussing is a good reason for us to have business cards to start with.

Reply by John Schenk on 12/21/09 9:09am
Msg #315148

Yes, been asked and showed it to them.

I have no problem showing them my DL to identify myself, if asked. Only been asked a couple of times, but it sure didn't bother me any. I'll show it when asked again and never think anything of it. No big deal to me.

JJ

Reply by DD/OR on 12/21/09 12:31pm
Msg #315182

Re: Yes, been asked and showed it to them.

Doesn't it bother you that they would know your address? I don't want anyone to know my address. I always give out business cards. They could take revenge on you if their loan fails.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 12/21/09 12:45pm
Msg #315195

Has it occurred to you that, since you're a public official,

they can find you if they want you? If they really want to sue you for a bad loan they'll find you with no problem.

Hope that's the only "revenge" you had in mind...

Reply by John Schenk on 12/21/09 3:16pm
Msg #315230

Re: Yes, been asked and showed it to them.

Well, let's see. I'm in the telephone book with my address. They can also call the Secretary of State and get my address as it's a matter of public record. I put my address on my business cards because I'm not worried about it. My address is listed on a number of notary sites. No, it doesn't bother me that they have my address.

Why on earth would they take revenge on me? If their loan fails it's not going to be because of anything I did, or didn't do, and they realize that I have nothing to do with their loan other than having them execute their docs, notarize them, and ship'em.

JJ

Reply by BrendaTx on 12/21/09 3:26pm
Msg #315232

Re: Yes, been asked and showed it to them.

*Why on earth would they take revenge on me?*

Okay...I think I have an idea for a book...

Thirst for Texas Notary Blood
(A Case of Borrower Revenge on the Prairie)

Reply by John Schenk on 12/21/09 3:28pm
Msg #315233

LOL (I hear Twilight Zone music in the background) n/m

Reply by jba/fl on 12/21/09 3:48pm
Msg #315240

Keep us posted as to publication date! LOL n/m

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 12/21/09 9:10am
Msg #315149

Yes....why not? In today's society I don't

blame them - yes it seems silly - does a robber or murderer carry a briefcase? Probably not, but I don't blame people for being vigilant about who it is knocking on their door and requesting entry. It doesn't happen all the time but it has happened and I had no problem showing my license and business card. Doesn't have to be "notary law" for my to comply.

MHO

Reply by jojo_MN on 12/21/09 9:11am
Msg #315150

The last time I was asked was almost two months ago. The couple said they wanted to see my drivers license to prove who I was. I said, "for one thing, I wouldn't have your loan documents with me." That particular day I had left my license in my jeans pocket. I told them they could have my business card and they could check out my website that does have my picture on it also. I waited for ten minutes while they booted up there computer, checked out the website, then came back and said they are satisfied with who I am.

I was at this couple's house for 1 1/2 hours with many calls to the loan officer because they had never seen even one page of RESPA docs via mail or email.

I do wear a name tag with my name and Notary Signing Agent embossed on it. My drivers license never comes out for anyone other than a police officer or sales clerk.

I can understand why they could be paranoid. They never meet the loan originator that called them from a lead, they never met anyone from the title company and an appraiser many times have never entered their house. How would they know that I am really a notary and not part of some fraud scheme? Granted, THEY are the ones that blindly sent all of their private information to someone they never met. (Lucky for us they do because most of us wouldn't have any work, otherwise.)

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 12/21/09 10:14am
Msg #315157

I'll flash my ID if asked, but am TEMPTED to add, "When

you go for a physical, do the tell your Doctor to also get undressed???

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 12/21/09 10:36am
Msg #315168

Re: I'll flash my ID if asked, but am TEMPTED to add, "When

I wear a laminated badge with my info on it.

Reply by sanjqnvly on 12/21/09 11:25am
Msg #315174

Re: I'll flash my ID if asked, but am TEMPTED to add, "When

I give bo a business card when met at the door and never had a request for furter ID.

Reply by jba/fl on 12/21/09 3:36pm
Msg #315236

Re: I'll flash my ID if asked, but am TEMPTED to add, "When

"you go for a physical, do the tell your Doctor to also get undressed???"

There is one that I find tempting...hum - new possible tactic?

Reply by BrendaTx on 12/21/09 3:48pm
Msg #315239

Jules, just don't get confused...

and start to disrobe if they ask you for ID, while asking, "Do you ask your doctor to show you their commission?" It could happen.

Reply by Mary Ellen Elmore on 12/24/09 6:46am
Msg #315645

I have no problem with showing my ID and am appalled that in 6 years only one person has ever asked.

He called me after the appointment confirmation call and was very demanding as to why I did not have a yellow page listing (he was not even looking in the city my business is located in) and lots of other things--we are actually good business associates now--I buy some of his products.

I have a name tag now with my picture on it and business name and Notary Signing Agent on it.

I would offer my secondary ID first which for me is my Tribal ID. It has a number but not my DL#. They can call information or go online and get the Tribal Office number and call to verify my identity and appearance. I would also inform them they can go online to the SOS website and see there if I am currently commissioned.

I also carry copies of my Commission, biz license, notary bond and E&O with me and have offered it, but never had anyone look at it.