Posted by tmg/Tx on 7/24/09 7:46pm
Msg #297332

Black out driver's license # on photo copies?????

I am notary in texas. Should the DL # and DOB on a photo copy be blacked out for security purposes for shipping docs to the title co.?

Reply by Art_PA on 7/24/09 7:52pm
Msg #297335

Why? The title company is entitled to know who the borrower is. Why do you care? This is for your protection also, unless you are foolish enough to accept an obviously altered license.

Reply by tmg/Tx on 7/24/09 9:38pm
Msg #297342

Actually, I don't care. It was communicated to me in a number of ways. 1) the Loan Officer and Title Co. should have already requested a copy of the DL before they started processing the loan. 2) Even thought the info is on the docs already, you have to be carefull when handing borrower's ID. 3) I had one SS request that I black out the DL# and DOB before sending. Then I had another SS asked me not to black out info. And finally, in Texas on the new DL, the DL# and DOB will not show up on a photo copy. I'm told this is the new I dentity protection because having someone's DL is as much of a security risk as having their SS#.

I just want to make sure I'm properly informed...

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 7/25/09 12:45am
Msg #297365

Sounds to me like

a borrower complained because "I've already sent them a copy of my license". My stock answer is, "Yes and they want to make sure that the same people are signing for the loan as applied for it". "Oh, OK is the answer I get back".

Reply by PAW on 7/24/09 7:57pm
Msg #297336

NO!

Depending on the lender CIP (Consumer Identification Procedures), they may be required to maintain a copy of the ID used to verify the identity of the borrowers. If you redact the copy, then they cannot use it for identification purposes.

Reply by MW/VA on 7/24/09 9:49pm
Msg #297345

Curious--where would you get such an idea? It is an every day part of our job to collect copies of ID to return to the tc. That information isn't being misused and certainly would NEVER be blacked out for "security purposes". What security????

Reply by Claudine Osborne on 7/24/09 10:29pm
Msg #297353

Re:NO!

I agree with everyone..Why would you even want to do this? Where did you get this idea?

Reply by rengel/CA on 7/24/09 10:24pm
Msg #297352

IMHO you are over-thinking your role in this process........ n/m

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 7/25/09 5:09am
Msg #297373

Typically, the settlement agent is the one in need of & asking for the copy 'from the table'. Prior to settlement, the borrowers may have sent a copy to the bank, broker or L.O. but those are rarely obtained DIRECTLY (person-to-person, face-to-face by someone who actually eyeballs the original).

The Settlement Agent has the responsibility of confirming ID (via Closing Instructions contract), they've contracted with you to do that for them. You are the one sitting there eyeballing the original, and able to compare with the copy or actually make the copy yourself. You are typically the ONLY one able to do that.

For this reason, I do hope everyone compares the original to the copy, if you aren't the one MAKING the copy.

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 7/25/09 5:34am
Msg #297377

It's no ones business how old you are and I do black out DOB and number. I think they just want to seee what you look like.

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 7/25/09 5:35am
Msg #297378

Sorry I thought it was our DL not bo

Reply by tmg/Tx on 7/25/09 8:33am
Msg #297380

Thanks Irene. I think you are the only one who get my point. Also, once you have "eyeballed" the ID (as someone put it) and have authenticated the borrower by filling out the ID documents in the loan package, at that point seeing only the signature and picture on the photo copy is suficient. In addition you the notary has allready authenticated them and confirmed it throught documentation.
In regards to the question protect/security from who, you never know. My personal info was taken from my doctors office by an employee. ID Theft is out of control. Finally, the reason I mentioned early that on the new DL in Texas the DL# and DOB "can not" be photo copied, I felt that it must have some relivance to my question, to black out or not to black out? Neve-the-less I will send the Title Co. what they need.

Reply by PAW on 7/25/09 9:11am
Msg #297385

>>> Also, once you have "eyeballed" the ID (as someone put it) and have authenticated the borrower by filling out the ID documents in the loan package, at that point seeing only the signature and picture on the photo copy is suficient. In addition you the notary has allready authenticated them and confirmed it throught documentation. <<<

What you consider to be "sufficient", whether or not you "authenticated them and confirmed it" is immaterial. Lenders and title companies have their own policies and procedures to what documentation is needed for consumer identity verification. As I previously stated, CIP procedures may required the lender or title company to maintain copies of identity documentation. Often this includes serialized documents (e.g. passports, driver's licenses, etc.). Redacted a copy of the ID may have serious ramifications down the road.

Granted, for our notary work, we don't need a copy, redacted or not.

Reply by MW/VA on 7/25/09 9:42am
Msg #297388

Renee did a good job of explaining the need for the copy. In general, it's getting harder to make copies of state drivers licenses. As you pointed out, some date make certain documents "unreproducible".
I've heard from borrowers that they couldn't make copies of their D/L at the drug store chains, etc.
Regardless, we are required to return a copy of the ID w/the package. My take on the matter is that it is actually for the borrower's protection, and is proof that they are the ones who completed the signing.

Reply by BrendaTx on 7/25/09 4:11pm
Msg #297415

Re: Black out driver's license # on photo copies????? tmg

**Finally, the reason I mentioned early that on the new DL in Texas the DL# and DOB "can not" be photo copied,**

Wow...I got mine renewed a couple of years ago and I haven't id'ed anyone lately with a new one I guess. Do they "look" different? The copies I have made recently are copying okay.

Is this a new law that I am unaware of because, yes...I don't know ever law about DLs and would love to know. Thankis.

Reply by BrendaTx on 7/25/09 5:02pm
Msg #297416

Nevermind - I figured it out-- tmg -- I understand now.

The state's website says they won't discuss the security features but do claim there are new ones.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 7/26/09 6:17am
Msg #297423

Re: Black out driver's license # on photo copies????? tmg

Virginia just began issuing the new drivers licenses in June. They do indeed look completely different from the license we had before. Several bits of info are engraved into the card itself. I have not had to copy one yet, so I don't know if any info doesn't show up on a copy.

Reply by A S Johnson on 7/25/09 9:36am
Msg #297387

This is a banking transaction.
No matter how many bank accounts you have at a bank, if you open another one they will need a copy of you ID for the file of that account.
I know the LO should have gotten copies of thier ID durning the application process, but it a copy dosen't seem to get to Escrow for thier needs.
Thanks for the heads up on the new Tx DL not photo coping the DL # and DOB. I just saw my 1st example of those this week in a regular Notary signing (as per the Tx SOS rule I do NOT make copies of the ID used for ID in a regular Notary act. Now I get a thumb print; No ojections so far).

Reply by wisconsin on 7/25/09 7:07pm
Msg #297418

Why black out the info anyway, their DL # and DOB are all over the loan docs. You also write them down on the ID verification page. I also write it down in my Journal.

Reply by Mae/TX on 7/25/09 9:38pm
Msg #297420

Hi Wisconson,

Effective April 22, 2007, Texas Notaries Public Are Forbidden From Recording Identification Card Numbers in Their Notary Record Books. I suspect this maybe occurring in other states. I don't know.

Reply by tmg/Tx on 7/26/09 9:43am
Msg #297425

Thanks everyone for your comments. When sending this message I was courious if this had come up with anyone else, and I was wondering if there was an obsolute answer. As I stated earlier one company asked me to black out and another asked me not to black out. I hope from this email no one takes from it to do one thing are the other. As for me, I will send the ID without black outs unless I learn otherwise. Mean while I will check with my state.

Reply by jba/fl on 7/26/09 10:14am
Msg #297426

Mean while I will check

Perhaps you will also tighten up on your spelling/grammar mistakes. If not here, please check your profile (I can't as you don't link) so that you will come off better. Personally, your whole argument in this thread was interesting and valid, gave great discussion as to why, why not, so I know you have it in you. Obsolutely!

(BTW: this is friendly criticism, not mean, malicious, rude, etc. I am not an authority, just act like it and get caught misspelling in the process sometimes. I have had problems reading your posts though - my interpretation section of my old brain has become very worn.)

Reply by BrendaTx on 7/26/09 8:16pm
Msg #297448

*I am not an authority, just act like it * Greatest

line of the month!

Reply by MW/VA on 7/26/09 8:44pm
Msg #297451

Re: *I am not an authority, just act like it * Greatest

Along with "Obsolutely". We're having some fun here.

Reply by tmg/Tx on 7/26/09 9:31am
Msg #297424

In Texas we can not write DL# in our Journal.