Posted by NotaryJoe on 10/19/10 4:58pm
Msg #357345

Possible scam for notary ID info

I may have just been scammed. I got a call from A Keen Signature service. Tamica #1 offered an assignment close to my home. (I should have been suspicious immediately since I don’t give out that cell number to anyone and it was odd for me to get any calls on my private cell phone.)

We discussed rate - accepted without a problem. Docs would be ready within 45 to 60 minutes.

I asked for some specifics on the borrower and was told that they couldn't give me any info until I gave A Keen SS their "contract" that's online; valid DL; my Notary commission; E and O policy, CA Bond; W9; and proof of Background Screening.

I sent them my info file with all the docs they requested and got it to them within a half hour. I called the office and asked to speak to Tamica and the person I was speaking to said "I'm Tamica”. I asked what the status of the docs we talked about. The "Tamica (who I'm calling Tamica #2") said that I must have been speaking to "the other Tamica" and that she, Tamica #2, didn't know that Tamica #1 had given me the assignment. She said she and Tamica #1 were working on the same file and that she, Tamica #2, had given the assignment to another notary. Wow! What a coincidence and all within same time 30 minute frame!

Now I do not have the assignment and more personal info than I would normally give out is in A Keen Signature Service's system.

If you're going to respond to this, please be kind. I know I've only got myself to blame. But I did look at the posts before sending them anything and there were about 4 comments all a degree favorable, all on the same date in July 2010.

Any body have this kind of thing happen with A Keen SS or another signing service running what appears to be a scam? If yes, let me know if there is anything to be concerned about or if they did run a scam just to get info.

Thanks.

Reply by kathy/ca on 10/19/10 5:18pm
Msg #357346

Joe, I dont see what kind of a scam it could be since what

they asked for was pretty basic stuff most SS ask for. The most puzzling part for me is, 2 Tamicas at the same office??? Oh, was the phone number you received the call from the same number you called, being sure the incoming call was in fact from A Keen SS?

Reply by Frank/NC on 10/19/10 5:19pm
Msg #357347

Are you absolutely certain that the information that you either faxed or e-mailed went to A. Keen? Did you ask Keen if they were the ones that received your information or is there a possibility someone else used Tamica's name and your information went to sort of scam that had been set up? If Keen is the only one that has your information I don't think it's all that terrible. If it's an identity theft scam you might just have a problem.

Reply by kathy/ca on 10/19/10 5:21pm
Msg #357348

Thats why I asked if the phone number he called was the same

one that he received. Making sure the call was really from A Keen SS.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 10/19/10 6:12pm
Msg #357351

We are always kind, aren't we?

If you actually sent the info to A Keen, I don't know that I would be concerned. I think they are good people, even if they do try to lowball. I had them cancel on me while the person trying to hire me went "Oops, my co-worker was working on that also. Sorry." But they were nice about it. They have had all my info for a few years and nothing has happened.

They do have a 3 1/2 star rating in signing central.

I also take other precautions like locking my credit reports so if someone tries to steal my identy, they hit a brick wall.

Reply by kathy/ca on 10/19/10 6:14pm
Msg #357352

Glenn, how do you "lock your credit reports"? Not sure I

understand what you mean.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 10/19/10 7:06pm
Msg #357358

Re: Glenn, how do you "lock your credit reports"? Not sure I

Go to one of the big 3 credit reporting sites. Take Trans Union, example. They call it a "security freeze.

http://www.transunion.com/corporate/personal/fraudIdentityTheft/fraudPrevention/securityFreeze.page

It's free. It can be some work though. And if you are going to apply for credit, you have to remember to lift it. You can lift it for an hour, long enough for them to run the report, then it automatically freezes again. A company like "Lifelock" does that, but you pay them 10 dollars a month for the service. And to be safe, you have to freeze it with all 3. It just depends if you want to do it yourself, or pay someone to perform the service for you.

Reply by Frank/NC on 10/20/10 7:51am
Msg #357387

Re: Glenn, how do you "lock your credit reports"? Not sure I

Glenn, that was excellent information. Thanks so much.

Reply by Calnotary on 10/20/10 10:44am
Msg #357405

I was a victim of ID theft and once you file the...

police report, you freeze your credit file and it cost you Cero dollars. Now if you want to freeze it without been a ID theft victim it costs you just ten dollars, and it's good for seven years I think, so you have to renew, I need to check my files and see if I need to renew. I think is 10 dollars/month if you use a third party company to do it, but you can do it yourself it's very easy.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 10/20/10 12:57pm
Msg #357433

Re: I was a victim of ID theft and once you file the...

Someone recently told me that if you freeze your credit file, then nothing gets taken off of it. For example, I am aggressively paying down debt and I would want that reflected on my credit report. I had thought the freezing was to make it so that no new credit accounts could be opened - I have no idea if it prevents updates from current creditors. Anyone know for sure?

I recently had some borrowers who had frozen their credit files. They said it was a big ordeal to get them un-frozen so they could do their refinance. They said their credit files were locked up like Fort Knox, so that's a good thing!

Reply by MikeC/NY on 10/20/10 4:29pm
Msg #357473

For more info on security freezes, go here...

http://www.consumersunion.org/campaigns/learn_more/003484indiv.html

There is federal law and state law regarding this, so check for info on your own state.

It's a great idea to do this to prevent unauthorized access to your credit reports and FICO score, but there are exceptions and it can be a PITA to manage if you need to get a loan, rent an apartment, get a new job, etc. I think the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

Reply by kathy/ca on 10/20/10 3:09pm
Msg #357459

Thanks Glenn, such great info and I am going to look into it n/m

Reply by Tish/CA on 10/19/10 6:34pm
Msg #357355

Joe this is really wierd. How many SS's have 2 Tamicas working for them? It's not a very common name. Mother/daughter maybe?? I'd find out if Keen received my info. If they did, I personally wouldn't be too concerned. If they didn't I'd call the SOS and report a possible theft of your commission # etc. I hope you blacked out your ID# on your drivers license.