Posted by Belinda/CA on 9/8/11 3:25pm
Msg #396747

Requirement of SS... I'll pass on this one

Why does a signing company want to check my credit? Are they crazy!
Well, here it is, "I authorize XXX, to conduct... criminal checks, consumer report investigations and to obtain other information relating to my character, general reputation and credit."
The form says the Social Security Number is mandatory.
I see on Signing Central a lot of you work for this company. Did you give out this information?
I'll pass on this one.

Reply by Yoli/CA on 9/8/11 3:41pm
Msg #396751

Name & location of SS, please?

Can't answer your inquiry without identifying company.

Reply by Alz on 9/8/11 4:10pm
Msg #396756

Never give my SSN, but will give EIN only for W9 as needed n/m

Reply by LKT/CA on 9/8/11 4:30pm
Msg #396760

Tell the SS the CA Dept. of Justice and the FBI already completed your criminal check - as is required to receive a commission here. Your consumer report and other information is of no concern to them.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 9/8/11 5:06pm
Msg #396765

I agree with Lisa. You know, credit reports are useless for a lot of things... and I think they are overused to determine one's credibility. This is especially true in the current economic environment. I know a lot of good people that I would trust with my life who have horrible credit... and I know others who have perfect credit that are the shadiest characters I've ever met.

Reply by Belinda/CA on 9/8/11 5:54pm
Msg #396774

You are right about that Marian. A credit report doesn't tell you about a person. It amazes me that a SS asks for such things. It amazes me even more that Notaries give them the info. And how are they supposed to check my character and general reputation? Go ask my neighbors. Ha

Reply by Treasure Valley Notary - Tina on 9/8/11 6:06pm
Msg #396775

Time To Turn It Around

Isn't it us extending credit?!? I had one company, just a few weeks ago, give me a signing. Once I realized who it actually was (was out of the office at the time), I immediately let them know that I had to be paid up front or no can do. It took them 8 months to pay me for the last assignment (I HATE having to earn my money twice - chasing it around). They were going to pay by PayPal (too easy to cancel payment as far as I'm concerned). I said no, I use ProPay. They didn't go for it because they would have had to give me their debit/credit card #. Heavens forbid if I had that. But I guess it is ok that they trust me enough to have a borrowers info. Go figure.

Needless to say, my business plan is not to play those kind of games. I am background checked. I am bonded. I have E&O insurance. I have other insurances. I set my fees (not someone else). I am in business for myself and I make the rules that I run my business by. I am not the cheapest, but I guarantee that I am great!

Reply by Belinda/CA on 9/8/11 7:33pm
Msg #396783

Submitted partial appl and heard back...

I marked out some of their wish list on the application and sent it in anyway to see what would happen. Just got an email back saying, "We would also like to inform you that a background check is required. If you already have a background check and it is within 12 months, there is only a $10.00 processing fee. If your background check is over 12 months there is a $30.00 dollar fee. Payment can be accepted by... The background is required in order for you to receive any work or closings or continue to receive closings."
Why in the world is there a processing fee on my background check AND no promise of work? I hope you guys aren't falling for paying fees to sign up with companies.
Just thought this was interesting.

Reply by Saul Leibowitz on 9/8/11 8:18pm
Msg #396800

May be a lender requirement

JPMC requires a background check for every Notary; it may be that the SS wants to be sure you can be assigned their closings or other lenders w/similar requirements.
No comments as to the fees proposed for the check or "handling" an existing check.

Reply by HisHughness on 9/8/11 8:31pm
Msg #396808

Re: May be a lender requirement

Many signing services, title companies and lenders require background checks. I think the poster's puzzlement was occasioned by the $10 "processing fee." Obviously, she did the right thing by deep-sixing that application. Though I might have responded that I charge a $15 fee for setting up a file for a signing service.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 9/8/11 9:16pm
Msg #396823

OP was about Credit Checks on us. n/m

Reply by MW/VA on 9/8/11 9:11pm
Msg #396820

Absolutely not! This is a fairly standard thing for

employment, but we're not employees.
Yes, we're the one's extending credit. Ask them for a copy of their D&B report. LOL
BGC's are required by many cos., and I got mine here on NR, even though I haven't been asked for one in a long time.