Posted by nobhill on 11/4/10 3:01am
Msg #359573

Beware of New "Business Offers" for Notaries

This evening I received an email from Mortgage Docs, an agency I've used once this year. They were excited to offer me an opportunity to be a foot soldier for their bank clients who needed a letter left with the borrower over their loan modification and for me to take photographs of the property. First, let me forewarn, this is dangerous to begin with. People would feel extremely uncomfortable with some stranger photographing their property on behalf of a bank. Your life could very well be jeopardized!

Second, these banks are using loan modifications as a means to trick people into making two late payments on their mortgage. This trick triggers foreclosure. It's a scam, a fraud, and a cruel tactic to take people's homes from them.

Third, many times these banks can't even prove they have title of the property, and not even the mortgage documents. The banks made huge profits selling the mortgages to third parties on the market. In their greed, many lost title to the property or MERS is named on the title which is virtually meaningless to the courts.

Fourth, these banks are trying to hijack notaries, as they did at "robo signings" to do their dirty work.

Guess what they're offering notaries for this work? $10 per letter delivered. Whoooo hoooo! We're in the money! We get to help kick people out of their homes, isn't that exciting?

I urge notaries to reject these offers as scandalous and insulting.

I'm reposting Mortgage Docs offer here:

*********

Hello MortgageDocs Vendor,

Recently, MortgageDocs was contacted by a nationwide company who helps banks follow up with their borrowers regarding loan modification documents that haven’t been returned to the bank. The client would like to leverage our mobile notary network to complete these orders commonly known as “field chases.” This is an amazing opportunity that isn’t normally made available to notaries.

A field chase is a bank’s final attempt to follow up with their borrower regarding their loan modification documents. Field chases are quick and easy. They take a couple of minutes to complete and simply involve hand delivering a letter from the bank to the borrower, verifying occupancy, taking one to two photos of the property, and then emailing MortgageDocs a signed and dated form with the applicable pictures. Typically, orders must be completed within 10 to 15 days.

The order volume from this client is expected to be very high, 5,000+ now and eventually 10,000+ nationwide starting in December 2010. The fee is $10 per completed order (extra travel fees are available for rural locations and when required). The average person can expect to complete 5 to 10 orders located nearby within 30 to 60 minutes or less. Field chase work is not meant to replace your signing work; it is simply meant to supplement it.

We believe this work will be of tremendous benefit in growing our signing business and ultimately make your signing work more profitable. Here’s how we see these field chase orders working best for you:

* Already in the area? Complete field chases when you are already in the area for a signing. Since you are already in the area there is no additional travel expense so the revenue from the field chase order covers your costs to complete that signing (i.e., gas, paper). The more orders completed the more profitable your signing work becomes!
* Need some extra money? In as little as 30 to 60 minutes you can make $50 to $100 by simply completing 5 to 10 field chases located in the same area. Performing field chases closely located next to each other limits your time and travel expenses.
* Know someone looking for an easy way to make extra money after school, in the evening or on the weekend? You don’t have to be a notary to complete this work. Anyone can complete a field chase as long as they can drive, can take clear photos and have access to a computer and email. Completing 10 field chase orders in an hour on a Saturday for $100 is pretty good for a student in high school or college!


Completing this type of work will give us the opportunity to receive new loan modification signing work from this client. Notaries who help us get these field chases completed quickly and thoroughly will benefit by being first in line to receive the signing volume when it comes in.

Our client would like to know what kind of nationwide coverage we can provide them by next week. Please reply to this email by November 10, 2010 and indicate whether you are willing to complete these orders for the $10 fee or not. If you are not, please provide a detailed explanation.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 11/4/10 3:44am
Msg #359575

I'm not even going to try to detail all the things wrong with this, but it's another classic example of a company trying to take advantage of our time. They consistently underplay the amount of time it takes. The whole fee is based on the assumption that they can be done while you're "in the area". And how often do you all find yourselves with lots of extra time in between appointments when you're in a particular area?

This all translates to the fact that they're depending on someone else to pay for your travel time. They're the ones who are wanting to reap the benefit from any possibilities for you to create efficiencies in your scheduling - something I've encountered from other signing agencies before. ("You're going to be there anyway and it's just one signature, so you should be able to do it for $30...") Tells me a lot about their attitude! Shouldn't YOU be the one to realize the benefits from that occasional good fortune? And what happens when your schedule changes and you find you're no longer going to be "in the area" during their time frame?

And I guess you donate to them emailing and admin time? This is just ridiculous, imo. I could go on, but I won't bother.

Reply by Linda Snell on 11/4/10 7:22am
Msg #359584

I predict there will be a LOT of comments about this. n/m

Reply by PAW on 11/4/10 7:30am
Msg #359585

Field chasing is not always fraudulent. As a matter of fact, there are many, many legitimate and reputable companies that specialize in field chasing and skip tracing. Additionally, these companies hire independent agents, just like signing agents, to perform the 'foot work'. The fee to the field agent is usually $25 and up. The problem with this type of work, other than the fraud aspect, is that 50% or more require a rechase. That is, the agent goes out but the debtor is not there. So the agent has to make a return trip, with no guarantee of success. Some companies, NCCI comes to mind, does not pay for rechases. Sand Castle and Guardian do. (I do not personally do field chases, but know a few agents who do.)

Reply by SuperNotary on 11/4/10 8:04am
Msg #359587

I am boycotting mortgagedocs.com, I encourage you to also.

Thanks for posting this. I got the same email and as a result I have finally cut ties with Mortgagedocs.com. They are the typical low-ball, lowlife company trying to get rich off the backs of Notaries. In order to stay in business and perform at a high level I simply will not perform ANY duties for $10. I don't care if I am driving right by the house on my way to a legitimate signing.

Anyone who accepts work from these people is cheapening themselves and hurting our industry.

Reply by nobhill on 11/4/10 11:20am
Msg #359622

Re: I am boycotting mortgagedocs.com, I encourage you to also.

We need to be vigilant, thank you for helping to save our industry. Banks will try to reduce us to their foot soldiers if they can.

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 11/4/10 1:24pm
Msg #359657

boycotting mortgagedocs.com, I encourage you to also.WRONG

Mortgagedocs was straight forward is describing the work involved and the payment offered.
If you are not interested, then that is fine.
MD has been around since the late 90's . They were my first regular customer, and I still do work for them. They have been honest and pay as agreeed.
If you choose not to work for them, that is your right. To institue a boycott becuse you do not like the terms of the offered work is just plain wrong.

Reply by nobhill on 11/4/10 4:07pm
Msg #359707

Re: Boycotting the Right Thing to Do. - Lousy Agency

From my experience MortgageDocs is sleazy. They paid me $75 early this year and took two months to pay me (did work on 1/22 - paid on 3/26). They were non-responsive for a while. Now they had the audacity to offer me this crap work as a notary. They treat notaries poorly and their actions in this $10 offer and lies people can make a lot of money in an hour just is another indication they cannot be trusted.

Reply by James Dawson on 11/4/10 9:33am
Msg #359593

see Msg #359469 n/m

Reply by jba/fl on 11/4/10 2:16pm
Msg #359678

Re: see Msg #359469

Msg #359469

Reply by A S Johnson on 11/4/10 9:57am
Msg #359595

reply to this was:
min fee $30 for upto 15 miles travel one way. for travel over 15 miles $1 per mile RT.
They wanted to know so I answered.
PS- min $30 is my per hour charge with 1 hr min.

Reply by aanotary on 11/4/10 10:50am
Msg #359597

And I had to chase my money last time I worked for mortgagedocs.

Reply by Lee/AR on 11/4/10 10:56am
Msg #359599

Well, I've done a few for Sand Castle....and was shorted because 'nobody lived there', so how can you talk to them? And the fee was waaay more than $10. But I still am refusing this type of work after that experience. Sounds like the 'field chase' people have run out of suckers. I think either somebody sold Mortgage Docs a big story or MD is trying to sell us one.

Reply by nobhill on 11/4/10 12:09pm
Msg #359644

This is the kind of work they should as of registered process servers. They have badges to present to the police in case of tresspass complaints. They are protected under the law from being threatened and attacked. Notaries are like little lambs banks send in to get slaughtered. We have no legal standing to be doing that specific type of work, delivering loan modification letters and taking unauthorized, unwelcome photographs of properties.

Reply by jba/fl on 11/4/10 2:46pm
Msg #359684

nobhill - I have read 3 in a row from you saying

all kinds of stuff that makes me think you are one paranoid person. But, I don't know what in CA (the land of fruits and nuts)a homeowner is allowed to do. I know in FL I can't just run out and start pepper spraying someone who comes to my home, nor can I sic my dogs on people. There are consequences to attacking people who come to your home, invited or not. If I could there would be lots of Jehovah Witnesses among others with weepy eyes and nipped ankles.

Isn't Nob Hill a more gentrified place? I thought at one time it was. If you are living with this kind of fear, you need to find something to do where you can just stay locked up in your home/apt/etc. all day and not worry about people and their comings and goings.

Reply by nobhill on 11/4/10 4:09pm
Msg #359708

Re: California Land of Fruits & Nuts - LOL

I'm also a registered process sever. We get abused by people being served with lawsuits. I've had a guy ask me to leave his property though I was serving his neighbor. Another PS told me he was attacked by someone's dogs, and I got assigned to the job to try again.

People are unpredictable. As far as California, LOL. You're right.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 11/4/10 11:07am
Msg #359604

Yet another dog I won't pet. "...detailed explanation.?"

Pffft. Why would I bother to 'explain' the obvious?

Great post, Nobhill.

Reply by Jim/AL on 11/4/10 11:10am
Msg #359610

Huh..Mortgage Docs, an agency I've used once this year.

What do u mean...they hired you or you hired them?

Reply by Roadie_MD on 11/4/10 11:19am
Msg #359620

Re: Huh..Mortgage Docs, an agency I've used once this year.

same here. I've done two signings for them, ever. I have drafted a message to them:

Sir/Madam,

To make a statement that a person could do ten of these things in an hours is ridiculous. Not to mention that you could be putting yourself in possible danger. People who are losing their homes tend not to like people from their bank roaming around their property taking pictures.

You people have a lot of nerve whoring out this type of work for a measly ten dollars. Sorry, I am a professional and am not willing to take advantage of your ‘amazing’ opportunity. Thanks anyway.

Reply by nobhill on 11/4/10 11:57am
Msg #359639

Re: Huh..Mortgage Docs, an agency I've used once this year.

Right, think about it. They could sick their dogs on notaries as "trespassers" of their property. What legal right does a notary have to do this in the eyes of the law? With process servers, they have a badge to show law enforcement, notaries would have no legal standing to be doing such a thing. This job should be dolled out to process servers.

Reply by nobhill on 11/4/10 12:10pm
Msg #359645

Re: Huh..Mortgage Docs, an agency I've used once this year.

They had me do a refinance earlier in the year. They seem to be a dead company because I haven't heard much out of them for a long time.

Reply by nobhill on 11/4/10 11:18am
Msg #359618

There's another cmopany, the Retreat Capital Management Group, that sent me a similar request yesterday but it was highly camouflaged of their intentions. They didn't come up front what they wanted from me, just wanting me to register with them. After a little probing on the Internet, it's clear they're into loan modifications:

http://retreatcapital.com/RetreatCapitalnotary_servicespr.pdf

Here's their email:

November 3, 2010

Dear Notary Public,

Retreat Capital Management Group, a premier provider of Loss Mitigation, Default Management, and Property Preservation services is expanding its services as a leader in the mortgage servicing arena with the addition of a nationwide Notary Services division. This is a natural progression to provide our clients with a full service, one-stop environment to complete the documentation processes required by state and federal laws.

We are reaching out to notaries all over the United States to see if you would be interested in joining a fast paced Notary Service which will enhance your marketing potential, leaving you the opportunity to go out and be a Notary Public and without having to spend your time trying to market yourself.

We are affiliated with banks, servicers, title companies, and escrow companies that need your services every day.

If you are interested, please print the attachment, sign and supply us with a copy of your Notary Public License, and your E&O insurance. Please fax all information back to us at 866.665.8930.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at 877.448.1622.

Thanks,


Retreat Capital Management

Notary Division

Reply by SheilaSJCA on 11/4/10 11:33am
Msg #359634

field chases no way, picking up papework maybe

After reading the post by nobhill, and what the link regarding RCM, I think that they are a legitmate business, facilitating a need. If the fee was reasonable (surely not $10 ), and I was given the abiliity to contact the borrower to set up a time to pick up their documentation, and take a photo, I would do these. I would not want to go unannouced, wasting my time, and theirs. It is true that many borrowers are fustrated, because they do provide documentation to the bank, only to have the bank lose it, again and again.
Maybe having a 3rd person pick up and fedex to the bank, leaves a papertrail that is more easily followed. And maybe this company RCM, has found the right people at the bank that know what they are doing, and are serious about getting the modifications completed.
I have no interest whatsoever in doing field chases. (trying to establish who lives there, etc.)

Reply by James Dawson on 11/4/10 11:24am
Msg #359628

next thing you know they will have you serving subpoenas...

Reply by nobhill on 11/4/10 12:00pm
Msg #359641

Exactly - this is a job for process servers. We have no legal standing to be "trespassing" and would probably face much hostility. If they call the police, we could be charged for trespassing without any legal standing.

Reply by James Dawson on 11/4/10 12:22pm
Msg #359646

Doing that here in Oakland would certainly increase the homicide rate for Notaries.....

Reply by nobhill on 11/4/10 4:13pm
Msg #359710

Exactly, give this work over to process servers to do en mass and pay them $25 per delivery. It makes no sense to use notaries. We have better things to do with our time.

Reply by HKT_TX on 11/19/10 6:27pm
Msg #362021

Please make up your mind. In your previous post you stated "I'm also a registered process sever".

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 11/4/10 2:49pm
Msg #359685

These chases are not necessarily

a scam, fraud, a trick, etc...etc....they've been done for a very long time. NCCI offered me this type of work 2-3 years ago - I couldn't do it then and can't do it now. And even if I wanted to do it, I won't do it for $10/letter.

I'm curious where you get your info that "....these banks are using loan modifications as a means to trick people into making two late payments on their mortgage. This trick triggers foreclosure. It's a scam, a fraud, and a cruel tactic to take people's homes from them. " That's an incredibly strong statement to make without some kind of proof.

Also, as for the trespassing comments - not necessarily. Every mortgagee retains the right to inspect the property at any time. Most times they don't exercise that right but it's in their mortgage. So, as a lender "rep" you're not trespassing. I would hesitate to go onto property if it's fenced off with a locked gate with "No Trespassing" or "Keep Out" signs - but true 'trespassing" is state/municipality/county-specific and this may not fit the bill.

Reply by Sheila Meinecke on 11/4/10 4:06pm
Msg #359706

Knocking on a door is not necessarily tresspassing, nor is

taking a photo. How do you think appraisers get photos of comparable properties? By driving by them and taking a photo! Check out google maps. Did google ask your permission to photograph your house?

Reply by nobhill on 11/4/10 7:13pm
Msg #359747

Re: Knocking on a door is not necessarily tresspassing, nor is

I'm not sure what they're asking for photos, if they want the inside of the house.

Reply by nobhill on 11/4/10 7:19pm
Msg #359748

Re: These chases are not necessarily

Hi Linda:

I heard about the loan modification as a precursor to foreclosure in an interview with Randy Kelton on the Alex Jones Show. Here's a link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELv16o-mEQY&feature=related

Reply by nobhill on 11/4/10 7:31pm
Msg #359754

P.S. See video at 5:19 about Loan Modification Info

P.S. in that video link I sent, the discussion of loan modificaiton start at 5:19 just to save you time from having to listen to the entire thing (although it's all good information).

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 11/5/10 7:41am
Msg #359774

I didn't watch the video...

I'm not saying many of the "modification" programs out there aren't scams - they are and we've heard about many of them. I'm saying these field chases are not all necessarily always about the modification scams we've heard about - and to make that broad a statement is, IMO, just not accurate.