Posted by SOCAL/CA on 11/23/09 2:35pm
Msg #311964

Photo request

Has a company ever asked anyone out there to send them a photo? They claim to be sending it to the borrower in advance of the closing.

Reply by nez on 11/23/09 3:03pm
Msg #311967

No I haven't had that request and they would not get. Too much info out there now. You can show them your ID when you get there.

Reply by Notarysigner on 11/23/09 3:18pm
Msg #311969

who else is going to show up with loan docs after calling to set a signing time? I know, a rouge SA trying to take someone's signing. That's funny.

Reply by Lee/AR on 11/23/09 3:39pm
Msg #311973

I think that's soooo weird. They going to send me a picture of the B so I know I'm in the right place??? Further.... I don't believe that's the real reason they want a picture.

Reply by SOCAL/CA on 11/23/09 3:50pm
Msg #311974

Lee, they want a picture of me to send to the borrower. Totally stupid.

Reply by Jim/AL on 11/23/09 4:12pm
Msg #311977

Photo request, do not see a problem with the request.

Why would you not want to send one? Cannot steal anything from you with it, I just do not understand why you would not just comply?

Out of norm, I agree...but not a reason I would not want to make $$$ just to send a pic.

Reply by Lee/AR on 11/23/09 4:29pm
Msg #311980

Re: Photo request, do not see a problem with the request.

What I really think about this: First, just the idea that they tell a B they're going to send a picture of the Notary who will be coming to the house would tend to lead a person to questions and concerns that the B may not have had. Why are they doing this? Is there something wrong (or dangerous) about a Notary come to my house? When I have carpet cleaners or interior painters/flooring/plumbing/electricians/air cond./repair/delivery people come to my house---where they can be in any room of my home---do they send a picture before the worker appears? No! Soooo, why are they sending me a picture of the Notary? Hmmmmm.....

Reply by Butch on 11/23/09 4:20pm
Msg #311978

Yea, I had it happen to me, when I was asked complete a sign-up application for a company. I don't remember who,I just canned the application.

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 11/23/09 5:33pm
Msg #311983

This is why I have a photo on my site & profiles ...

And yes, believe it or not, there ARE people who farm signings out to others w/out first advising the client. I don't think it would be hard to surmise that when this happens, it's not even necessarily another SA or even notary. Had it happen when I was working on the 'inside'.

Reply by SOCAL/CA on 11/23/09 5:52pm
Msg #311986

Re: This is why I have a photo on my site & profiles ...

Here is a copy of their email. This came from a title company. I have been in their database for years but never received any work from them.


"Dear Notary:

Our clients have requested that we provide picture identification of notaries being sent to the borrower's home. They feel this will give the borrower an added level of security in having a visual identification of the notary before opening their doors to a complete stranger.
We have created a report that we will email to the borrower prior to the closing that provides the notary's contact information combined with the picture of the notary.
In order to implement this, we'll need you to upload a photo of yourself to our database. The photo should be professional and be able to provide visual identification for the borrower. In selecting notaries, we'll be giving preference to those notaries that have completed this request.
The photo should be less than 500 KB in size and should be in a jpeg format. Please click on the link below to start the upload process."

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 11/23/09 5:56pm
Msg #311987

I was asked once during signup - just responded I

didn't have one....they didn't push it.

And as to this...

"We have created a report that we will email to the borrower prior to the closing that
provides the notary's contact information combined with the picture of the notary."

I'd much prefer they concentrate on getting numbers to the borrowers ahead of time and answering their questions in advance rather than worry about preparing a report for them and giving them my picture!!

My vent...

Reply by jba/fl on 11/23/09 6:03pm
Msg #311989

Re: I was asked once during signup - just responded I

"I'd much prefer they concentrate on getting numbers to the borrowers ahead of time and answering their questions in advance rather than worry about preparing a report for them and giving them my picture!!"

Hear, Hear!!

Reply by LKT/CA on 11/23/09 6:11pm
Msg #311991

Re: This is why I have a photo on my site & profiles ...

<<<Our clients have requested that we provide picture identification of notaries being sent to the borrower's home. They feel this will give the borrower an added level of security in having a visual identification of the notary before opening their doors to a complete stranger.>>>

If the borrowers are so concerned with security then they should meet the Notary at a coffee shop, restaurant, library or other public/neutral location. This is just a way for racists to discriminate.

<<<In selecting notaries, we'll be giving preference to those notaries that have completed this request.>>>

Uh, yeah, they''ll be giving "preference" alright.........

Reply by SOCAL/CA on 11/23/09 6:31pm
Msg #311995

Re: This is why I have a photo on my site & profiles ...

I hear you LKT/CA about the discrimination thing. I have had a few jaws drop when I show up at their door. A few times after asking for their ID, instead of handing it to me, they threw it on the table. It's their problem.

Reply by Notarysigner on 11/23/09 6:35pm
Msg #311996

Re: This is why I have a photo on my site & profiles ...

I'm 6' 5" and weight 285...you ought to see those eyes and jaws drop...LOL

Reply by SOCAL/CA on 11/23/09 6:54pm
Msg #311997

Re: This is why I have a photo on my site & profiles ...

I prefer the jaw dropping. LOL

Reply by Susan Fischer on 11/23/09 7:21pm
Msg #312003

One reason I contact borrowers - to tell them what I look

like and what I drive. They feel comfortable, and I feel better.

Reply by NJW/FL on 11/23/09 8:32pm
Msg #312006

I once had a borrower ask me for my driver's license and she proceeded to take out her camera to photograph it and me. I would not let her do that. I told her we could phone the title company and she told them that she wanted proof that I was a notary even though we provided my i.d for her to look at and match my name on my notary stamp to my driver's license. The title company had to convince her that I was legitimate, background screened, all that info. Her brother was there and he had trouble convincing her. Finally, she gave in. She really was a bit extreme.

Reply by John Schenk on 11/23/09 8:52pm
Msg #312007

Don't know that I'd have a problem with this request...

Another alternative, for most borrowers, would be to just send them a link to Notary Rotary where they could view my pic. I already posted it in a public forum where anyone could see it. It'd be pretty hard to say that they couldn't link it for the borrowers.

Alternatively, I could send them my halloween pic and that would scare the hell out of them. LOL

JJ

Reply by PAW on 11/23/09 9:00pm
Msg #312009

Sorry, no can do

I don't want my picture available all over the internet. It's bad enough that my address and phone number can be found without too much difficulty. Having been a victim of identity theft, there's no way I'm going to cough up the ability to have it stolen again.

Speaking of the internet, I would venture to say that more than half the time, the people I visit don't have internet access nor email addresses. So the philosophy of sending a description and picture to their email is seriously flawed. At least in my area.

When I arrive at a borrowers home or other mutually agreed upon place, I always identify myself as the one who spoke to them on the phone and provide them with my business card. If they want further identification, I show them my notary certificate and my driver's license.

Reply by ikando on 11/23/09 9:16pm
Msg #312011

Re: Sorry, no can do

I have the opposite situation with most borrowers. They're usually so ready to get started, I barely have time to stick out my hand to shake and introduce myself. They steer me to the place they want to sign, hand me their DLs, give me the copies of their DLs and want to get started.

As the process continues, we have conversation and they are usually pretty comfortable by the time I get ready to leave, and then I hand them my business cards.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 11/23/09 9:21pm
Msg #312012

Me too - in three and a half years doing this in FL

I've been asked for ID once - and that was at the door. All other times I've been welcomed with no questions asked.

Reply by jba/fl on 11/23/09 9:27pm
Msg #312014

Re: Me too - in seven years doing this in FL

I have always offered description of car I'm driving and what I will be wearing while confirming appt. I have only been questioned about my id once, which I am happy to provide to view since I'm getting copies of theirs. Small trade off when you really consider it. As for photo - no need as far as I'm concerned. Search me - I'm all over the web already too much.

Reply by John Schenk on 11/23/09 9:43pm
Msg #312016

Re: Me too - in seven years doing this in FL

Same way I feel, although I don't give a description of what I'll be wearing as I don't set mine out the day before. LOL

Really isn't a big issue to me. I"m not giving them 1003 info, which passes before my eyes, although I don't read them as I really don't care what's in it, unless I get sent there for a phone number to contact them. In MY area, I've done a LOT of closings for people that I personally knew. I can honestly say that I didn't care what was in their 1003, and never even looked at it, other than to have them sign it BECAUSE I JUST DON'T CARE what's in it, what they make, what their bills are, or any of that stuff. It just doesn't matter to me. I only look for blatant errors in the docs, and possible missing docs. Even if I know them when I go in to close one I want to get in, and out, as quickly, and efficiently, as I can. I'm there for a single purpose, and that's to get the docs signed, and get them dropped back to the TC. If we get back together after that, it's totally separate from the signing. We can BS later.

JJ

Reply by John Schenk on 11/23/09 9:24pm
Msg #312013

Re: Sorry, no can do

I'm pretty remote here myself, but most folks here have internet access, except for reverse mortgage clients.

I'm walking in their house with some rather identifying information, i.e. 1003, etc., etc., so I don't havea problem with them knowing who I am. They could run me on Publicdata.com and get my DL #, description, date of birth, address, people living in my house and their ID's...all but photos on the DLs.

I'm probably a little unique as many folks within 100 miles of here recognize the name since my Dad was a trial attorney here for 40 years, and my sister took over the firm and still practices within a hundred mile radius of here. That puts most of the borrowers at ease right off the bat, and I'm still in the legal field and they recognize the firms name. It DOES make a difference, and I recognize that. Maybe that's why it's not an issue for me because it never really has BEEN an ISSUE, if that makes sense.

JJ

Reply by Philip Johnson on 11/23/09 9:36pm
Msg #312015

No can do, for me either.

Of course not a big problem here, most can deduce that I'm originally from NC, not the evergray state. Once I show up and introduce myself they very quickly know I'm the guy they spoke to on the phone.

Reply by John Schenk on 11/23/09 9:59pm
Msg #312017

I'm told my voice is very distinct.

If you record your voice, you hear it as a voice that rings true in your ears, but other people don't hear your voice as YOU do, and that's a fact. I used to have a band, actually a couple of them, years ago. I would sing, and record my voice, and it always seemed like a high pitch voice to me, although it's actually almost a bass voice, and like a voice that you might hear on the radio, or TV. The borrowers hear my voice when I call them to confirm, and when I introduce myself at their door, they recognize my voice. It's a plus to have a distinctive voice, although I really don't hear it myself. There are a number of things that make people comfortable with you, and that make you unique in their eyes. My voice is one thing that makes me very distinctive, or so I have been told.

JJ

Reply by MikeC/NY on 11/23/09 10:36pm
Msg #312018

I have only had an issue with this once - I was told by the TC that the BO would not let me in unless I showed my driver license at the door. Actually had to hold the license up against the window for her to inspect before she would open the door... The woman was a whack job and the signing took forever.

As a general rule, I don't have a problem with being asked to supply a photo - I have one on my business cards and on my real estate web sites as well as here on NR, so what's the big deal? Someone mentioned a concern about identity theft - not gonna happen with a photo, unless the thief is planning on undergoing some serious plastic surgery.

Is it possible that the company would use the photos to discriminate against certain types of people they would rather not hire? Anything is possible, but I think it's wrong to just ASSUME that this is the reason for the request - maybe the BO really does want to see a photo of you before you show up at the door. As Freud was alleged to have said, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar...

Reply by John Schenk on 11/23/09 11:25pm
Msg #312022

LOL Yah, I agree

If the BO wanted me to hold up my DL at the door, I SURE would have no problem with that. I'm not in a class that usually gets discriminated against, since WWI was over, although I'm from German descent.

No matter what we look like, we're asked to appear before those borrowers, and we walk in the door possessing more information about them than their own relatives, or anyone outside of a lender, or their accountant, would ever be entitled to know about them. Doesn't mean we ever look at that info, or even care about it, but we have it. It's not an issue with 99% of the borrowers I don't think, but if you have that ONE that wants more info on it, I see no reason not to provide it. Flashing a DL at the door would usually be a max of the "invasion." Don't see them saying "that person is ugly...don't want them at my house."

JJ

Reply by ChristineHI on 11/23/09 11:33pm
Msg #312024

Re: LOL Yah, I agree

John, do you go to your signings in your lovely tux that you are wearing in your photo? That would impress them for sure! :-)

Reply by John Schenk on 11/24/09 7:07am
Msg #312035

Re: LOL Yah, I agree

Not lately, but I may pull it out around Christmas time. LMAO