Posted by Ellen Michaels on 11/20/11 7:22pm
Msg #404562

Top of the Line Signings

This signing company is located in Lake Dallas, TX. Their web site no longer exists; they do have an e mail address. The owner of the company is a woman named Cheryl O'Connor.

Back in September, I handled a Reverse Mortgage application for her. The fee for performing the job was $75. During the time that I had accepted this assignment, Ms. O'Conner was ALWAYS AVAILABLE by phone or e mail! When it came time to remit/pay, it appears that she clearly practices CLASSIC AVOIDANCE! SHE DOES NOT RESPOND TO E MAIL OR PHONE CALLS!

As of the date of this entry on our Open Forum, I have not been paid! I have left messages, i.e. phone and e mail. I have reported her to the Dallas TX office of the Better Business Bureau hoping this might get her to remit for services performed.

I also called her contact person regarding the reverse mortgage application to see if she had heard anything from Ms. O'Connor as well, no response.

What also makes me quite angry is that Ms. O'Connor is a fellow notary public! You would think that she would have just as much integrity as the person that she hired to perform this job.

At this point, it looks like I'm going to have to claim this as a "bad debt" on my 2011 taxes.

I am posting this as a form of "public service" to all notaries to watch out for this lady and if she calls you, turn down her notary assignments.

I don't want to see anyone else get burned by this lady.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 11/20/11 8:35pm
Msg #404566

Be sure to add her to SC and link the post! n/m

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 11/20/11 8:48pm
Msg #404568

I'd contact the LO and title company...ask them to pay

and let them know how she's handling their accounts.

JMO

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 11/20/11 9:14pm
Msg #404570

Thank for the warning

<<What also makes me quite angry is that Ms. O'Connor is a fellow notary public! You would think that she would have just as much integrity as the person that she hired to perform this job.>>

You would, but you'd be wrong...as we all would be if we thought that way....

I'm very sorry about your getting ripped off, but reporting her to the BBB probably won't get you anywhere. I'm suprised the RM woman hasn't wondered whatever happened to her app - tho maybe she went with another lender.

What you need to do at this point is contact the lender, let them know the person they're using to get their work done isn't paying the notary. Don't let them blow you off. Say you will report them to HUD or whoever oversees lenders in Texas until this issue is resolved. In my book, everybody up the chain is just as guilty as this O'Connor character.

Reply by Sandra Clark on 11/20/11 9:49pm
Msg #404571

Sorry you are getting the run around............but did you really do a RM for $75.?

Reply by Sandra Clark on 11/20/11 9:55pm
Msg #404572

Sorry, just realized this was just the application. Need to stop reading this board late in the evening. LOL

Reply by JanetK_CA on 11/21/11 12:20am
Msg #404577

Another note of caution for you - or others reading this post... Perhaps you were just using the expression figuratively, but just in case, I believe you can only claim "bad debt" as a deduction if you're using the accrual method vs. cash.

Reply by Allan Dessner on 11/21/11 8:33am
Msg #404588

I would contact the lender and the title company and let them know that they are using firms that are representing them and not paying the notary that is actually doing the work. Document all the calls and emails that went unanswered. Let them know that they have been 'unjustly enriched' by your efforts and you need to be paid. No lender or title company want their name sullied for $75.

Reply by JulieD/KS on 11/21/11 9:15am
Msg #404589

Re: Bad Debt

As JanetK_CA said, you are not entitled to deduct this lack of payment as a bad debt unless you are an accrual-basis taxpayer. A bad debt is an amount that you have already claimed on your tax return and paid tax on, but then later, the A/R was never collected. So, to correct it, you claim it as a bad debt on your taxes in the year it becomes worthless. That will recoup the tax you paid on it in a previous year.

It's a common misconception and I have to explain it countless times each tax season.

As a cash-basis taxpayer, the amount not collected just doesn't show up in your gross income; the related expenses, however, will be deducted. Your mileage, the paper for printing the docs and whatever other expenses you had, can be deducted.

I have a good collection letter if you'd like to have it, Ellen. Send me a message with your email address and I will send it. (Ellen only, please)
Julie Dailey, E.A.

Reply by Stace Patterson on 12/2/11 11:10am
Msg #405597

you can now reach her 940-230-7030....i think she changed her telephone number.