Posted by LKT/CA on 10/18/12 10:00pm
Msg #439118

Should I be leery?

Got a call for mobile notary service (from a restricted number) to travel to the caller's parents to notarize a few docs. I quoted the fee, asked the usual preliminary questions - all is good. This call came in the morning. I gave caller my next available appt time and asked if that would work. They said they'd call the parent then call me back. Never heard from caller that day. Next evening, they called but I was busy and couldn't continue the call and asked for a call back number. Caller didn't want to leave a number and said they'd just call me back. I said, okay, call back in 30 minutes. Again, never heard from them.

Though this is GNW, this seems similar to "do not contact borrower" call. I won't take a GNW job with no call-back number....I have to be able to contact the person in case I'm running late, an emergency arises, I need a gate code or any unique instructions. I did some GNW recently where the lady forgot to mention she lived in a gated commmunity. Luckily, a car was going thru just as I drove up so I went in behind it.

I've received calls from restricted/private numbers but the caller then provides a call back number for the appt. I know people have their reason's for restricting their number (i.e. law enforecement, attorneys, etc. ) but who dodges giving a call back number...always wanting to call YOU back instead? If they call again, I plan on telling the caller that without a VALID call back number (when I call that number, THEY need to answer), I will have to refer them to another notary. Never had this happen in 5 years of notarizing and it's bizarre. Any thoughts?

Reply by MistarellaFL on 10/18/12 10:27pm
Msg #439124

Might have found someone else by now

And I would also be leery of someone who would not provide contact information.
But, you never know with some people....paranoid people.

Reply by PegiT_MN on 10/19/12 12:03am
Msg #439132

Yes.....very leery.

Something doesn't sit right with me on this one.......it reminds me of the Craigslist Killer here in Minnesota a few years ago. A young man posted an ad on Craigslist posing as a mother needing a babysitter. When the young woman answered the Craigslist ad and telephone numbers were exchanged, the young man disguised his voice to sound like a woman on the phone and gave the address (his own address) for her to come over and be interviewed for the position. The young lady went over to the house and he murdered her right in his parents' home and she was deceased in that house for more than one day before he disposed of her body at a nearby dumpster. His parents had no clue what was going on in their very own home. There are some nutty people out there and although this could have been a very legitimate inquiry about GNW, it may have also been a crazy murderous nut job looking for his next victim.

Blocked number, calling for someone else, won't let you call him back........I am glad you did not go out on this job. Your angels may have been sitting right there on your shoulder working overtime to keep you safe.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 10/19/12 2:20am
Msg #439145

The other side of PegiT's comment is that it could be something as simple as someone who has a job where they're not allowed to take calls (but you'd think they could give you a time to call back). Or maybe they have a limit on cell phone minutes or they're talking to more than one notary and pricing things out. It's possible - but it's also possible he's a weirdo.

Having said all that, I would also insist on a phone number before going anywhere. I get lots of general notary calls that I never hear back from. I don't give them a second thought, but if they want to make an appointment, there are certain minimum requirements. My guess is that you'll probably never hear from him again.

Reply by jba/fl on 10/19/12 3:03am
Msg #439148

Until you are actually hired, no big deal. It is information clutter in your mind, etc., and nothing may transpire in the end.

Once you strike the deal then all information should be given freely so that your "office" has knowledge of how and where to reach you (which I would let them know that someone knows where you are at all times due to "important message arriving at any moment which you must receive timely", and preferably a landline). Maybe this is to be a satellite office job (nearest to them Starbucks, McD's, etc).

Reply by Priscilla Witman on 10/19/12 11:31am
Msg #439187

I used to have a personal policy of not taking calls from restricted, blocked, or unavailable numbers. Usually, if someone gets my voicemail, they leave a call-back number. However, I've run into the situation of elderly people who have restricted numbers for their personal reasons. For that reason, I usually answer the phone regardless.
I draw the line, however, when a person tries to make an appointment and won't leave a phone number or name. I have a right to know who I'm meeting with, where I'm going, and how they can be reached. No name or number? No dice. When it comes right down to it, it's only lost me one potential customer, and I was probably better off. The thing I'll never understand about the reluctance to leave at least a name is, they're going to have to show an ID for notarization. How do they think they're going to remain anonymous the whole time, anyway?
I think you did the right thing. Go with your instinct. No amount of money is worth jeopardizing your safety.

Reply by Barb25 on 10/19/12 12:11pm
Msg #439199

I think you should always go with your instinct.

If it raises any red flag and you have to think about it, it is not worth thinking about it. Let's face it, it is not like you are having to decide whether you might be passing up some opportunity to earn a huge amount of money for what might be paranoia. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Reply by MrEd_Ca on 10/19/12 12:08pm
Msg #439197

Yes, you probably should be leery ---

--- for all the mobile notary appointments as well as loan signings that I get I always google both the name of the person & the phone number given to me. If someone won't give out this basic information then something is not right & you are most likely better off not accepting the appointment.
In my google searches of name/number I have not found anything that would prevent me from going -yet- but I have found some interesting information like the accused murderer whose relatives hired me, & others. He was in jail at the time but it certainly opened my eyes just the same. Also, I do search the county recorders on-line data base which has helped me immensely for loan signings where I can check out the spelling of the name(s) on the confirmation, among other things. I am continually surprised at the name elements that are on some of the recorded documents that don't match what is on the borrowers ID. And that the last notary accepted, so they say. I have found these searches to be a good preventative measure.