Posted by Stamper_WI on 10/16/09 8:44pm
Msg #307678

Guess who

You have to watch an ad first
http://www.wqow.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=4220140&h1=Bank%20Loans&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=83433&LaunchPageAdTag=News&activePane=info&rnd=70308106

Reply by MW/VA on 10/16/09 8:47pm
Msg #307679

How cool!!!! I'm proud that one of us is a "whistle blower". Bravo & thanks for your efforts to stop these crooks!

Reply by Stamper_WI on 10/16/09 8:56pm
Msg #307680

Actually there were/are "several "of us.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 10/16/09 9:02pm
Msg #307681

Good for you Zana!!

I really wish the television stations down here would do an expose on these companies - too many people around here are still unaware of the dangers....

Reply by Claudine Osborne on 10/16/09 9:55pm
Msg #307683

Re: Good for you Zana!!

Thank you to the whistle blowers!!

Reply by A S Johnson on 10/17/09 9:05am
Msg #307692

why do we Notaries have to be whisle blowers? Why are signing services screening this before trying to get thier notaries involved.
I would suggest that NR use some special designation/marker to indicate a SS listed in signing central has tried to get notaries to take assignments for these "outlaw" operations thus putting us notaries in jeopardy.

Reply by Stamper_WI on 10/17/09 9:07am
Msg #307693

In this companies case, they apparently had their own call centers. Any SS involvement seemed to be short lived

Reply by Stamper_WI on 10/17/09 9:12am
Msg #307694

Also

We do have an obligation to report suspected fraud. The investigators are the ones that gather the evidence and forward it to the DOJ to decide if it has merits.
For me it was a matter of conscious and outrage. They were making me a party to the crime and I could incur liability as well.

Reply by MW/VA on 10/17/09 9:26am
Msg #307696

Re: Also

Absolutely. The main point of this whole thing is that a notary does not want to be involved in illegal activity.

Reply by John_NorCal on 10/17/09 11:18am
Msg #307705

Re: Also

Agree wholeheartedly. Any time crooks are using unsuspecting notaries to do their deeds, then we have an obligation to come forward and stop them before more people get hurt. Good job Zana!

Reply by Sandra Clark on 10/17/09 2:14pm
Msg #307709

I had this happen thru NotaryPro and proceeded to fill them in on the legal aspects of loan mods in VA, even sent them the site to check out the laws in various states. Their reply was since there was a dramatic change in the ss business and mortgage industry, they are forced to deal with this type of business. I saved the emails I received from Michelle Williams who identified herself as Director of Operations. I went on to discuss how being in this type of business, (loan mods) she was doing nothing to enhance her co's reputation. Didn't seem to bother her - really down graded my opinion of her signing service

Reply by Cari on 10/18/09 6:43am
Msg #307743

I'd suggest that NotRot require any and companies wanting

to be posted here on SS, to send in copy of their business license, for EACH, state they are licensed to conduct business in.

That way, if and when the company is posted here on SS, we could see that someone checked and that they are infact license....it would save us so much time in having to do the research ourselves.

Reply by SheilaSJCA on 10/18/09 12:48pm
Msg #307754

Re: I'd suggest that NotRot require any and companies wanting

I think that is a very good idea Cari, why shouldn't they have some accountability? Seems that anyone can set up shop as a SS, no questions asked.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 10/18/09 1:09pm
Msg #307755

Although I can appreciate this idea...

I don't feel it's up to NotRot to police all the companies that get listed here - don't forget, most companies listed in SC are listed by the notary membership itself....I think it's more important for the notary to research each company before signing up with them.

I think for NotRot to require copies of business licenses for each company listed is not only a mammoth undertaking that they're probably not staffed to accomplish (no offense, but probably the truth), but may put NotRot in a legal position they don't wish to be in - many will rely on NotRot's assumed validation ("if they're listed they must have been checked and cleared", thereby putting NotRot in a legal position I'm sure they don't wish to be in - judge and jury in validating the legal standing of the company.

Notaries should just do their own homework and check each company unfamiliar to them - if they don't like what they find, don't take the assignment.

MHO

Reply by Cari on 10/18/09 3:26pm
Msg #307761

policing....legal position....what? seriously?

I agree that most companies listed here are by notaries, and that it may in fact be a "mammoth" undertaking to 'check' (NOT) police companies licensure prior to being listed on SS (on a business membership) ...why not?

Legal issues, HA....this is a website. Everything published on this site, shows up somewhere in the Internet universe. I don't think they can be held liable for this type of requirement especially if it is for membership to the site...duh...don't produce it, then you don't get listed...simple.

I mean, if NotRot can request OUR notary information before we purchase certain products, then why not ask companies for their business licensure prior to membership? How much harder really is that?

It appears to me that NotRot is very capable of handling this type of task. I hope they do and we won't know until someone like Harry respons.

I say they should as they are very reputable nsa site that most of us rely on before (and after) taking assignments. This site was created for notaries by notaries.

And if they are short staffed, they can hire me and I'll check every single company (that I can see and ask for their licensure, etc.

Reply by Linda Hubbell on 10/18/09 4:27pm
Msg #307764

Re: policing....legal position....what? seriously?

I didn't say they could be held liable for the requirement..I said some may rely on the fact that NotRot has checked the legitimacy of the company and hold them to it..if it's listed here it's good...

"That way, if and when the company is posted here on SS, we could see that someone checked and that they are infact license...." Not NotRot's job - notary's job to check the companies they work for before taking the assignment....

"....it would save us so much time in having to do the research ourselves"" and that explains it...

MHO

Reply by Stamper_WI on 10/18/09 4:49pm
Msg #307766

Re: policing....legal position....what? seriously?

I don't think that an SS, as a middle man, scheduler, has to be licensed for anything. How many are a single person sitting at home with a computer, internet connection and a telephone? No E&O requirements.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 10/19/09 1:06am
Msg #307783

I agree, Linda

I think that's asking an awful lot of Notary Rotary. Sure, it would be nice for us to have all that information, but I think there is some point where we have take responsibility. Unless they consider it another selling point for Premier membership, I don't see how it would be worth it for them. Also, the question of whether or not a ss handles mod applications is probably a very transitory thing and very difficult to keep track of. Then you get into the situation of signing services complaining about not being included on the list, etc. Just my 2 cents off the top of my head.

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 10/17/09 1:00pm
Msg #307706

You deserve a parade with marching band! =) n/m

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 10/17/09 3:16pm
Msg #307713

Fantastic job, guys! n/m