Posted by anotaryinva on 2/29/12 3:40pm
Msg #413532

Signing services asking for SS revisited

from Msg #412521.

I have a EIN and have had it since before my first signing. Recently I had a ss ask for my ss even though I had faxed them a w9 with my EIN. That and $25. I think that is what the original poster of 412521 was asking. I replied, by email, that I wasn't comfortable sending her my ss over the internet and if it was a background check she was interested in I would be happy to send her my 15 page LexisNexis report. Haven't heard back.

Today, after signing up with another ss, and sending them my background report I get an email that it isn't enough, they too need my ss to to a further background check that includes....get this OFAC, a report from the Office of Foreign Asset Control. That and $20.

Well I've got nothing to hide so where's the harm, right? I'm not giving them my ss and I'm not giving them $20. I did contact LexisNexis after getting no where with the Treasury Dept (maybe I'll drive down there tomorrow), a company owned by LN called Knowx does these OFAC reports for $1. I got that if it isn't good enough, oh well.

These two companies are both highly rated in SC (signing central not South Carolina).

Sitting here working on these applications, tests, requirements, trying to get back in this business after nearly a year off makes me grateful for the title companies I still have relationships with. They have NEVER asked me to supply any of this personal information. Ever. W9 that's it.

By the way if you were smart enough to get you background check here on NotaryRotary they do include the OFAC report.

Sorry for the long rant, been up since 4am with a sick dog and I'm really cranky right now.

20 minutes and counting until cocktail time.

Reply by bagger on 2/29/12 3:49pm
Msg #413534

I'd be dipped in s**t.
No way do they need your ss#, and $25.00?
Sorry, I was told once by a very intelligent headhunter, never PAY to get a job!
You and a bunch of others pay them $25.00, and they do absolutely nothing!
Super Scam.

Reply by anotaryinva on 2/29/12 4:10pm
Msg #413537

To clarify, the 20 and 25$ were supposedly so they could run there very own background checks, not just a fee to sign up. I'm out for the night, cocktail time has officially arrived.

Reply by Becky J Crawford on 2/29/12 4:28pm
Msg #413540

I recently have started on my own and I too have been ask about this..glad to hear your comment I am not paying either

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 2/29/12 5:04pm
Msg #413549

As I recently posted in some other forum, I would seriously question the integrity of ANY SS or T/C that would accept any kind of BGC report that I, myself, sent them. If it's in my possession, I can make the report state anything I can type.

The beauty of N/R's BGC is that client's can confirm that I passed via the link in my profile, which I have also placed on my website. THAT is not a confirmation I can alter or fudge.

I wouldn't give a SS information or authorization to do a BGC because of one snag - they are not licensed or regulated by anyone, for anything. I have allowed T/C's to pull reports on me, and it's a case-by-case choice, but in each of my own choices these were already long-standing clients. With T/C's, I feel at least some semblance of security due to their being licensed, regulated, and entrusted all day long with people's personal/private information UNDER those regulations.