Posted by SANTA CLARITA MOBILE NOTARY on 7/13/12 5:33pm
Msg #426726

Premium Escrow, Inc. DID NOT PAY!

I've been a notary for almost 10 years and never had anything like this happen before. I did an e-docs signing for this company in May 2012. It was Memorial weekend. I received the confirmation and docs. I asked them how they wanted them shipped. They replied by email UPS and gave me the account number.

At the end of the signing the borrower asked me if I was driving the signed docs to Premium Escrow in Arcadia. I replied they were being UPS'd at the request of escrow. He got them on the phone and talked with Lily Li. He put me on the phone and said driving the docs back to them was part of the $175 fee. I replied, "Absolutely not." I would have never agreed to that. First of all it's a Friday; secondly it's a holiday weekend. If they asked me to do it, I probably would have for an additional fee. However, that was not the agreement.

The escrow officer started yelling at me and said "Put the borrower back on the phone," which I did.

I was trying to keep my composure during the entire time. The borrower said they had nothing but problems with this escrow company and wasn't surprised. The borrower assured me that he would pay for the signing if escrow did not. Here it is mid-July and I still have not been paid!

Not a happy camper...

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 7/13/12 5:38pm
Msg #426729

Santa Clarita to Arcadia??

That's about an hour's drive, isn't it? On the 210 in holiday traffic/MEP? Part of the $175 fee? LOL!!!

I've often hand delivered loan docs, but you can darn well bet that I was paid handsomely to do so. I've driven 4 hours each way to hand deliver before. I'm happy to do it if I'm getting paid for it.


All you need to do is show them the email...

I don't suggest going to the borrower to get paid. That's nice if he offered, but he's already paid for it. You need to get your money from the party you had the agreement with.

Reply by A S Johnson on 7/13/12 6:01pm
Msg #426734

So,what do you think happened.
You would be in violation of federal HUD raules if the borrower paids you any thing. Any monies paid in rleation to the deal MUST be included on the HUD.
Really you answered a question the borrower did NOT need to know.
You lost control when you dicussed somehing about your fees in front of a borrower. All the borrower needed to know was that you and escrow had this handled. It was totally someting that was not his business. And His suggestions were not proper to interfer with you and your employer.
Neither the ss or the borrower had a right to change the deal. Any changes moe than likely would require a re draw of the docs.
Something different than the pre arranged deliever process should have been discussed away from the borrower. That's between you and the people that hired you.
if anything. I would have said, if I were asked about the return of the docs' that the escrow company has arranged that they get the docs the next business day. If a problem happens, they will have docs before l the "3 day rifgt to recind" expires . The escrow can NOT fund befor the expiration of the "3 day right to cancell" any way.

Reply by CinOH on 7/13/12 8:47pm
Msg #426770

O/P you did nothing wrong. Over the years I've had numerous signers assume that I "flew or drove in" from wherever Title is to close their loan and was driving (flying) the documents back to the company. Some still thought this after I explained my role in the process and that I'm a locally-based independent contract. No borrower has ever asked me how I'm returning the docs. If they did I would tell them the truth. There is no reason not to.

Either Escrow misled the borrower to believe that you were driving the docs back (for whatever reason) and got upset when you blew their cover or the person you spoke with assumed the scheduler set it up for your to drive the docs back and the scheduler dropped the ball.

While you should not try to collect from the borrower, you should continue to pursue payment from Escrow. You deserve to be paid. Good luck.

Reply by LKT/CA on 7/13/12 9:15pm
Msg #426776

Escrow companies are regulated by the Commissioner of Corporations. They have liquid assets - unlike an unregulated SS that "pays you when they get paid". http://www.escrowhelp.com/qanda-10a.html
Plus, they are regularly audited. Start the collection processes - you'll get paid.