Posted by MichiganAl on 8/10/10 1:32pm
Msg #348361

Anyone work with Bayview Law?

Received this email:

My name is XXXX and I work for a nation-wide law firm that handles debt settlement. I am looking for a certified mobile notary to hire as a contractor for our firm and came across your information. We have a “welcome package” our clients would need to review with you face-to-face after signing up with our program, similar to loan closings. You would be hired as a contractor to represent our firm. Each appointment should be no more than ˝ hour long and you would receive all the proper training and information about our services and the documents. Please visit our website to learn more about our company: http://www.bayviewlaw.com. Can you email me your fees please and what zip codes and areas you cover?

One mention of them on NotRot back in 2009, they were part of an article detailing 30 different companies involved in various lawsuits. Bank of America, Wells Fargo & Co., JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Citigroup were all mentioned as well, so I don't think that alone would preclude us from working with them. Google turns up mixed reviews, some say they took their money and didn't fix their credit as promised, others say they did exactly what they said they'd do and didn't promise miracles.

Debt settlement always a big red flag for me, but they can't all be con artists, can they? Looking for anyone that has actually worked with them, spoken with them, or corresponded with them.

Reply by HARRY_PA on 8/10/10 2:26pm
Msg #348374

Do a web search. Mostly poor reviews as a ripoff. Personally I would never get involved with this kind of company.

Harry

Reply by Cari on 8/10/10 3:31pm
Msg #348390

Check it out from their website....


Question: How many complaints have been lodged against you in the past?
Answer: Since our inception several years ago we have received four complaints through the BBB which have all been resolved with the clients who filed them. From government agencies we have received between three and five enquiries that were immediately answered and closed without any further action; we have received zero formal filings.

Our goal as law firm servicing clients in such precarious financial situations has always been full disclosure and transparency to our clients, especially regarding complaints."

answered May 14, 2010 03:43 PM- Anonymous

Reply by MichiganAl on 8/10/10 5:13pm
Msg #348401

That's why I'm not so concerned about what the BBB says about most companies or about a few scattered complaints on the Internet, all it takes is 3 or 4 unhappy people out of thousands to make a company look bad. I'm really hoping someone here has dealt with them personally.

Reply by Cari on 8/10/10 3:32pm
Msg #348391

I'd ask for payment upfront thru PP or Google checkout...just in case....

Reply by snoopdogMs on 8/10/10 6:02pm
Msg #348409

I also received the e-mail. n/m

Reply by Baragona/MO on 8/10/10 6:25pm
Msg #348414

I also just received this email n/m

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 8/10/10 11:49pm
Msg #348451

I would stay away

No, they can't all be crooks ... well, maybe ..... but why would you want to get involved. In the first place, why do they need a notary? That's the first thing I question. I did not become a notary to run plays for a debt settlement firm. They can hire a cab driver for what they need. (No offense to cab crivers). If my services are not needed as a notary, I'm outta there. They want a notary to add "credibility" to their activities. And if something goes south (and when some over-their-head-in-debt person turns over access to their bank accounts to these guys, which they do), and you're a part of it, you could be on the hook, too. I would love to hear from any notary who has successfully been working for a debt settlement firm. I know many other businesses use notary databases to find workers - like for inspections, but debt settlement is toooo scary for me. Basically, you go sign up these desperate people who trust that the law firm can help them, but how do we know?

Reply by SheilaSJCA on 8/11/10 12:40am
Msg #348453

Re: I would stay away

Its very likely that there may be something in there to notarize. I recently notarized a signature for a woman who was doing a debt reduction program like described here, she had the paperwork, I notarized her signature on a limited POA, and an affidavit.

Reply by MikeC/NY on 8/11/10 3:34pm
Msg #348519

They need a notary because...

... a notary is usually seen as honest by the general public, and that inspires a sense of trust in the client (whether or not that trust is deserved). Instead of saying "we'll send someone with the paperwork", they'll say "we'll send a notary with the paperwork" - that kicks up the trust factor a bit.

IMO, if there's nothing to notarize, there's no other reason to send a notary to do the job.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 8/12/10 4:06pm
Msg #348698

Re: They need a notary because...

You raise a very important point, Mike. In California, we are prohibited from using our title of Notary Public for any purpose beyond the notarization of a document - probably for just the reasons you outlined. I think a good argument could be made that it is just as inappropriate for a third party to use our title of NP for other purposes, as well.

I don't think I'd be comfortable with this if there was nothing to notarize.

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 8/11/10 6:50am
Msg #348466

depends on which of their services they want you for

Debt Consolidation - I wouldn't involve myself, but the B2B/contract drafting stuff they claim to do I'd be happy to work with.

I have only one reason for not wanting to mix myself into Debt Consolidation work - because there are plenty of reputable NON-PROFIT credit counseling & consolidation agencies that perform very well for debtors, and when asked by friends/family - that's what I recommend. My own opinion is that debtors who are in financial distress are better off with a non-profit, where more of that hard-to-find dollar is going to actually result in less debt. Just me/my little opinion. =)