Posted by Marian_in_CA on 6/22/10 1:30pm
Msg #341895
Journal Privacy....
In James' post below, there was some talk about journal privacy, especially with previous entries. I never have this problem. I solved it with two pieces of colored paper, a ruler and some big paper clips.
1. Take a full sheet of paper and on both sides, mark where each journal entry begins and ends on the page. Leave room for the header and footer space, too.
2. Score or mark a straight line from point to point.
3. Fold the paper back and forth multiple times along each line, like a paper fan, so that the paper is easy to fold either direction.
4. Secure with jumbo paper clips.
5. Fold the paper over and down after each appointment, thus blocking all of the previous entries. I tend to clip multiple pages together, too, because it's usually more sturdy.
People tend to get the hint when they see that, and a lot of people have mentioned that it's cool that I take precautions to block the privacy of others.
I don't recall how to embed images in posts... but for those that want to see what mine looks like, here you go:
http://www.highdesertnotary.com/images/share/journalsec.jpg
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Reply by aurelio/FL on 6/22/10 1:39pm
Msg #341898
I use my hand to cover previous entry, works for me n/m
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Reply by Marian_in_CA on 6/22/10 1:40pm
Msg #341900
My hands aren't that big. LOL n/m
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Reply by Linda_H/FL on 6/22/10 1:42pm
Msg #341902
How do you do that?? I'd have to lay my whole arm across
both pages t hide everything I feel needs to be hidden - and you DO have to pick your arm up eventually!!
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Reply by aurelio/FL on 6/22/10 1:48pm
Msg #341903
Re: How do you do that?? I'd have to lay my whole arm across
LOL - mine is formatted differently. There are four entries to a page, and they are in rectangular blocks. I dont have one entry cross the binding. I know that is the most common format, but the format I have is the one that came with my commission and I have just continued using the same kind.
Here's a sample; http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/9868/photo06221443.jpg
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Reply by aurelio/FL on 6/22/10 1:52pm
Msg #341906
Re: How do you do that?? I'd have to lay my whole arm across
P.S. that photo is from my bonding co, not my actual journal but it is the same kind I use.
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Reply by Glenn Strickler on 6/22/10 1:53pm
Msg #341907
Re: How do you do that?? I'd have to lay my whole arm across
A couple of pages of copy paper and 4 paper clips, then cover it from the top and fold them under after each job works for me.
Privacy is essential. Suppose you notarized a signature for a well known person in the community or wider and it was a sensitive document ... and that information got out. Guess what? You may need lots of insurance.
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Reply by aurelio/FL on 6/22/10 1:55pm
Msg #341910
I would like to see one-entry per page
journals like the size of those little receipt carbon copy books you buy at Walmart. It would be cool if they even had carbon copies so you could give one to the borrower to serve as a "receipt" so to speak for the notarization.
Of course, many on here would probably go through hundreds of them a month so I can see why that might not be desirable 
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Reply by Marian_in_CA on 6/22/10 2:01pm
Msg #341913
Re: I would like to see one-entry per page
I've been playing with a journal format I design for my own use, one that is smaller in size. Although, I don't mind the big, hardbound ones... sometimes it's just too darn big!
Since I started using a different case, though, it hasn't been that much of a problem. I think it was Lisa (LKT) who mentioned she uses a lega size Vaultz tote. I've also been using that one for about 6 months now... it's great. Since I started using that, I don't get as irritated about the journal size, but it's still huge, and often gets in the way of things when I'm sitting with someone.
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Reply by jba/fl on 6/22/10 2:20pm
Msg #341916
Re: How do you do that?? I'd have to lay my whole arm across
Hey - not enough detail - I can't read that!
LOL
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Reply by JENNY/TX on 6/22/10 1:39pm
Msg #341899
Thank you Marian. I have been trying to come up with an idea on how to cover entries. I have been using stickies but that takes a lot of stickies for both pages. I also use a binder clip to keep completed pages together, so that when I open my journal I go right to the next blank entry line.
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Reply by Linda Hubbell on 6/22/10 1:40pm
Msg #341901
I do something similar...I use two pieces of letter-size copy paper on each side of the journal ... I just don't create the fan...I just bring the paper down after the current entry is complete and fold it over the top, clip them at the top with jumbo paper clips and use a small piece of scotch tape on each one to hold it down in the middle ... have to replace a the pages every now and then as they start looking ratty but at least prior records are covered.
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Reply by Notarysigner on 6/22/10 2:24pm
Msg #341918
For the most part, no one is looking at what I right, they are looking at the HUD1
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Reply by Notarysigner on 6/22/10 2:29pm
Msg #341919
For the most part, no one is looking at what I write, they are looking at the HUD1 as I make my journal entry. This was a case of a nosey Real Estate Agent setting next to me facing the borrower. I could find no where stating I must cover my journal from lurking eyes as I make an entry. I do agree that I should be more careful, and I will thanks to added skills I acquired today because of the F O R U M ! Thanks
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Reply by Marian_in_CA on 6/22/10 2:49pm
Msg #341923
Yeah, it's not a requirement to cover the entries... but it is good practical sense. I know that I would certainly not appreciate others being able to see my Name, DL info, signature, thumbprint, etc. showing what kind of document I notarized if it were high sensitive.
Like Glenn, said... it's also important if we're called on to notarize for prominent people. That's probably more of an issue for those of us in Southern California... but even in small towns, you have nosy gossips who would just love to see that their neighbor down the street refinanced his house, signed of on an affidavit of some kind, or something else.
I wouldn't want others to see my stuff...so that's why I do it.
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Reply by Notarysigner on 6/22/10 2:59pm
Msg #341924
I will work harder to protect the names of the innocent BUT....What about the in/out baskets of the real Estate agents, LO, Brokers, loan processors, settlement agents? Shouldn't we make sure they are likewise protecting the right to privacy of others? Just a thought.
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Reply by jba/fl on 6/22/10 3:09pm
Msg #341928
"Shouldn't we make sure they are ...."
What? Don't I have enough to do to cover my own A$$ without covering others as well? Am I to be assigned a certain section of town to accomplish this in a manner befitting uselesss expectations? Privacy police now?
Just a thought.
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Reply by Linda_H/FL on 6/22/10 3:12pm
Msg #341929
"What about the in/out baskets of the real Estate agents, LO, Brokers, loan processors, settlement agents?"
What about them? You nor anyone other unaffiliated person have absolutely no right to go in and go through those in/out baskets - it's for business need-to-know purposes.....
JUST LIKE no one has a right to read your journal without proper request....
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Reply by Linda_H/FL on 6/22/10 3:13pm
Msg #341930
Re: Journal Privacy....holy cow..what was that??
"You nor anyone other unaffiliated person have absolutely no right "
Try this again...jeez....You have no right, nor does any other unaffilitated person have any right....to go in and...blah blah
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Reply by JanetK_CA on 6/22/10 3:31pm
Msg #341937
We knew what you meant! ;>) n/m
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Reply by Notarysigner on 6/22/10 3:33pm
Msg #341938
YOU GUYS ARE FUNNY...What I am saying is, my journal entries are limited to what I do. Those other entities see way more information than I ever will and are not policed to the same degree we appear too. That all....
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Reply by JanetK_CA on 6/22/10 3:30pm
Msg #341936
Well said!
I completely agree. I once notarized divorce papers for someone I know. My very next notarization was for a mutual acquaintance. I slapped my hand over the key parts of the previous entry before I passed the journal to them and kept it there.
I really like your idea, though. I've considered doing something like that before, but I'm going to follow your lead and fix up some pages of my own asap. Thanks very much for the description and picture!
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Reply by Linda_H/FL on 6/22/10 3:34pm
Msg #341939
Re: Well said!....someone else once posted..
that they use strips of paper cut equal to the size of the line entry two strips one for each side of the journal (MoJo).....paper clip to end....when new entry just place strip over entry...
Sounded like another workable idea...I just haven't gotten around to cutting paper..
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Reply by Notarysigner on 6/22/10 3:34pm
Msg #341940
I think from ow on I'm just gonna say, for my eyes only! n/m
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Reply by Alz on 6/22/10 3:02pm
Msg #341925
Isn't there a few companies
that sell privacy guards for the various journals?
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Reply by Marian_in_CA on 6/22/10 3:44pm
Msg #341944
There are...
But I found it silly to pay $10 or more for something that is a bit awkward to use. The journals are awkward enough. That's why I use the paper. It's cheaper and less awkward. At least, for me anyway.
All of the privacy guards I've seen aren't too flexible, and they don't fold over, which is what I wanted.
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Reply by BossLadyMD on 6/22/10 3:17pm
Msg #341931
where it says fee - i write in 'see invoice #---- '
for general notary work, i write in the $2 state-mandated fee. never had any problems.
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Reply by Marian_in_CA on 6/22/10 3:41pm
Msg #341942
That probably works for MD, but in CA...
We are required to record the actual fee for each notarization in the journal.
I always leave that blank until I get back home and reconcile the books, invoices and receipts.
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Reply by CopperheadVA on 6/22/10 3:44pm
Msg #341945
I do the exact same thing! Even the same color paper! I use card stock. I only use it on the right side of the MOJO, though, because the left side contains no personally identifiable info.
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Reply by Marian_in_CA on 6/22/10 4:00pm
Msg #341951
Great minds! n/m
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