Posted by Jim Habicht on 10/3/09 11:56am
Msg #306021

Todaro Notary

BEWARE OF TODARO NOTARY & DIRECT SETTLEMENTS!!!. I've done work for Toraro Notary for over 1 year and they have always been fair & very friendly, but slow to pay. As of this day October 3, 2009, I've been not paid for 7 closings dating as far back in May.

Recently I've received this e-mail back from Andrea at Todaro Notary, "I am writing checks today so that will get out to you tomorrow, again, sorry for not getting back to you, I have been avoiding the computer like the plague since I have no money to pay people that are screaming at me. I feel so badly but I don't think a lot of people out there understand that I am not keeping anyone's money. When they talk to me they act like I take the money I owe them and buy all kinds of things or go jaunting off on cruises or something, lol, I wish... but if I did anything like that I would take you with me : ) : ) : )."
It's been over a week and no check, no more replies, she is not answering my phone calls....nothing!!!

I've called the Title company: DIRECT SETTLEMENTS from Pittsburgh, PA and talked to Patty & Nicole Frank, and e-mailed Nick D'Amico, but no solution. I've never had any problems in the past, but currently I feel like Todaro has made money, Direct Settlements has made money, on my time, and I've gotten nothing ON 7 CLOSINGS.

So my guess would be to any one that excepts any closing work from Todaro Notary or Direct settlements....BEWARE!!!!! Now if they redeem themselves....I will let you all know....

Reply by PAW on 10/3/09 12:01pm
Msg #306022

Doesn't have a very good track record according to Signing Central.

Reply by MW/VA on 10/3/09 12:14pm
Msg #306024

Todaro doesn't have a good history. Vanessa was tied in with Mick @ All-Pro. He went BK a few years ago. She started up on her own, but has followed along with the "I don't have any money to pay you" line. You're absolutely correct. It is money made from your efforts that they're collecting.
Direct Settlements doesn't seem to be listed in Signing Central.

Reply by Jim Habicht on 10/3/09 12:54pm
Msg #306026

During the time I did closings for Andrea at Todaro, getting paid was rather time consuming, but in the end she did pay, but I did have to send many e-mail updates and reminders. But most recently she has just given me a sad sad sad story and can't pay me.

Here is another e-mail responds fron andrea, "This situation with business being so slow and no money coming in has really gotten me down. I just received a couple of checks this weekend in the mail from which I will be able to send out $350 to you. I really wish I could do more but I honestly do not have anymore capability than that right now. I absolutely will send more as more comes, as I always do to you. Believe me, I it would be nice to pay a bill here or take a check but I haven't since late June. Again, I am so sorry I could not do more but the moment I have it, so will you : ) : ) Thanks for everything : )

I never got that $350 she promissed me.

************STAY AWAY FROM TODARO NOTARY AND DIRRECT SETTLEMENTS*************

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 10/3/09 1:16pm
Msg #306032

Sounds like the doors are getting ready to close with

this company - if they haven't already....

Note: I've never worked for them so have no monies due me....just an observation.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 10/3/09 1:17pm
Msg #306033

Re: Sounds like the doors are getting ready to close...OR

she's lying through her teeth!!

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 10/3/09 1:15pm
Msg #306031

"I have no money to pay people that are screaming at me. I feel so badly but I don't think a lot of people out there understand that I am not keeping anyone's money"

BS!!! When she gets paid from the title company and doesn't pay you, she is keeping your portion of that money!!! To me that is theft!

Direct Settlements would have paid her at closing (after the 3 day RTC) when the funds were disbursed.

Reply by MW/VA on 10/3/09 1:18pm
Msg #306034

Of course it's BS and they're notorious for it.

Reply by Jim Habicht on 10/3/09 1:26pm
Msg #306036

I've always been kind and patient about getting paid, but this time I'm pist!!!

Here was another reply from Andrea vis e-mail, " I had to actually finally take $250 for myself or they were going to shut off my electric, lol, certainly can't run a business that way... wait, WHAT BUSINESS?!?!?!? LOL"

That’s B.S. There is business, just less. I'm adjusting to the deline. Now taking a bath on 7 unpaid closings. I guess it’s the sign of the times to come.

Reply by MW/VA on 10/3/09 1:40pm
Msg #306040

I hope you stop being nice & send demand letters. This is an old song & dance for Todaro.
Times are tough & more important now than ever not to take work from questionable cos.
Signing Central is your friend.

Reply by Jim Habicht on 10/5/09 5:04pm
Msg #306264

Well, no redeeming from Todary Notary. We said to each other Saturday night we would call each other Monday. I called Todaro and left a VM and I called the title company Direct Settlements and got the usual run around that everyone is in a meeting. Todaro said a check should be to me by today....no check. Folks, this is simple stuff and it does not take more then 15 minutes to looking into if someone has been paid or not from the title company. So for those who are owed money by Todaro Notary here is the link for small claims in Franklin County, OH:

http://www.fcmcclerk.com/forms/smallclaims.php

For those who need to make a claim by Direct Settlements of Pittsburg, PA, here is the link to the court house in Alllegheny County, PA.

http://www.alleghenycourts.us/default.asp

Closing agents and Notaries must take a stand and no longer be used to do work and not get paid. We do a service for the community and should be compensated properly.

We must stand up and no longer except closings for less the $100!! Those signing services that only pay $50, $60 or anything less then $100 need to get a wake up call today!!! $100 for e-doc's for a closing 5 miles away is the lowest any closing should ever pay. Inflation is coming and if people in the industry do not adapt, more people will be underpaid or unpaid and go out of business. This is a For Profit business, it’s a not a Non Profit business.