Posted by Eric Andrist on 3/28/13 11:16am
Msg #463489

badnotary.com A new website badmouthing notaries.

I just want to let you know about something...please don't start flaming me again. I think this is really important and could affect us all.

I wrote earlier that I had a problem with a loan signing with the company SigningStream.

I just found that they have listed me as a "bad notary" on the website badnotary.com. It touts itself as "The Nationwide Directory for Loan Signing Agent Misconduct."

There are currently 10 bad notaries listed. 7 of them were listed from SigningStream. The other three are from a company called loan-closers.com. 7 from California, 1 from Indiana, 1 from Maryland, and 1 from Rhode Island.

After submitting my rebuttal to their review of me, I started getting suspicious of the website so did a little research. I realize GoDaddy.com is a large website company, but both badnotary.com and signinstream.com are through GoDaddy. Further, badnotary.com was created on March 14, 2013.

The first review was posted 13 days ago, which would be March 15, the day after the site was created. And who posted the first bad review??

SigningStream!

In these reviews or at least most of them, they give out the notary's name, email address and phone number.

I think this is a site created by SigningStream trying to expose notaries that give them trouble.

They flat out lie in the review they put on me....that's libel. They also state that they've reported me to the State of California. Good...I welcome that as I can prove that they asked me to backdate!

It says my rebuttal is awaiting moderation. It will be interesting to see if it makes it in.

Reply by ToniK on 3/28/13 11:24am
Msg #463490

Interesting two lowballing,slow pay, NO pay companies.. How thoughtful of them!

Reply by loancloser46 on 3/28/13 11:27am
Msg #463492

What a joke....both lowballers and slooowww paying. n/m

Reply by MW/VA on 3/28/13 11:27am
Msg #463491

Interesting. Sounds like retaliation to me. A while back I

think Speedy Closings or someone like that tried something similar. Yes, if it damages your business reputation it is a case for libel. Keep us posted.

Reply by 101livescan on 3/28/13 11:29am
Msg #463493

I wonder if they have:

D&B rating
BBB rating
If they are notary public's themselves
Have criminal records
Have been background screened

I wouldn't take it too seriously.

Word to the wise, don't work for Signing Stream and you won't risk being called a BAD NOTARY!

Reply by jba/fl on 3/28/13 11:51am
Msg #463498

Further, someone should put in SC about them....

a big BEWARE. Everywhere they can. This is such poor behavior on their part. Perhaps a letter from an attorney to these people is in order as well. Someone volunteer?

Reply by Eric Andrist on 3/28/13 11:57am
Msg #463500

I was able to contact 7 of the 10 notaries listed to let them know they're on there. I wouldn't have known but I had google search set up to send me an email when my name appears online.

I couldn't find contact information for the other 3.

Reply by La Trese Breaux on 3/28/13 12:13pm
Msg #463507

that is crazy!

Reply by Belinda/CA on 3/28/13 12:06pm
Msg #463501

Have you Googled your name since this was posted?

This is what comes up that I see is:

1st to show up in line from the top of the page-
Eric Andrist | LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com/pub/eric-andrist/21/788/974
Greater Los Angeles Area - Owner at Eric's PRO Services
View Eric Andrist's professional profile on LinkedIn. ... Notary Public, Loan Signings, Live Scan Fingerprinting, Process Server, DMV VIN Verifier, Inspection ...

2nd to show up in line from the top of page -
Eric Andrist, Notary Public in Valley Village , CA
www.notaryrotary.com/viewprofile.asp?src=1244&RID...
Mar 8, 2013 – Eric Andrist, Notary Public Services in and around Valley Village , CA.

3rd to show up in line from the top of page -
Eric Andrist - Bad Notary
badnotary.com/notaries/eric-andrist/
21 hours ago – Eric Andrist was contacted with an assignment on March 5th. He accepted the notary signing with a verbal and written agreement in return for ...



Just to see what happened to others listed I Googled 'Linda J' and two pages of the same bad notary comments came up over and over again. Maybe that is because they listed her as a "Really Bad Notary."


If you scroll down on the right hand side of their site it says, "Newest Bad Notaries" and "Really Bad Notaries."

Reply by Eric Andrist on 3/28/13 1:08pm
Msg #463516

Re: Have you Googled your name since this was posted?

Yes, I saw this and took a screen shot of it.

I just learned on 123 N that there is a class action lawsuit being put together. I just contacted the lawyer.

Reply by jba/fl on 3/28/13 2:04pm
Msg #463532

Good for you Eric - good luck as well. n/m

Reply by JanetK_CA on 3/28/13 9:17pm
Msg #463618

Good! It's defamatory w/no documentation. Inexcusable! n/m

Reply by Belinda/CA on 3/28/13 12:10pm
Msg #463504

Does this tell us NR has clout?

Go an read their Blog page. It is short. They are the only ones blogging.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 3/29/13 12:37am
Msg #463633

Better yet, don't go there at all

As I just posted above, all the traffic this thread is generating for them is only helping their SEO ranking. I don't think that's in the best interest of the notary community. Let's just give them the "ignore" treatment (at least as far as visiting their site is concerned). Any other action to discourage a site like that is a great idea, imo.

Reply by Robert522TX on 3/28/13 12:11pm
Msg #463505

OMG...this is ridiculous..

Reply by Belinda/CA on 3/28/13 12:21pm
Msg #463508

Not obsessing. Just amazed. Did you notice

the bad notary names are listed on every single page of the site. They are at the bottom.

Reply by Pam/NM on 3/28/13 12:24pm
Msg #463510

One other thing..did you see

at the top they list 10 Notaries and 2 responses? I cannot locate the responses, however there are "votes" to the left of a couple of the notaries named. This is shameful.

Reply by Eric Andrist on 3/28/13 1:10pm
Msg #463518

Re: One other thing..did you see

I am assuming that one of the responses is mine. It says that my response is "awaiting moderation." So they're going to moderate their own complaints against them?! It'll be interesting to see if mine ever shows up!

I have taken screen shots of every page of this website.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 3/29/13 12:49am
Msg #463635

Re: One other thing..did you see

The votes could have been put there by accident, just by clicking around the site, trying to find out how to access the responses and to read the rest of the story about those notaries mentioned. So not only are they named as so-called "bad notaries" (which some of them may actually be), but we can't seem to read all of the information that supposedly backs up those claims. So not enough information is given for the reader to make an informed judgement about that person - even from one side of the story.

It seems to me that the intent isn't to warn other signing services about these individuals, but rather to vindictively hurt their reputation and do them harm. I thought it was bad enough not paying someone for work they've done, but this is a new low! I'm not saying that there aren't "bad" notaries out there, but I think there's a big difference between someone being flat out irresponsible, careless and incompetent and someone who is maybe new, on a learning curve and/or who made a mistake. I doubt there is one amongst us who has never made a mistake in their notary career. However, imo, one of the things that distinguishes a "good" notary from a "bad" notary is whether or not they learn from the situation and take steps to make sure that mistake doesn't get repeated.

I don't think it's fair to judge a person by one incident - in most cases. Some things are just an unfortunate mistake, while other things might show appallingly poor judgment. Likewise, as Bob from Chicago posted (in a different thread, above, I think) it's only fair that we apply that concept to our judgment of signing services, too.

Reply by CinOH on 3/28/13 12:39pm
Msg #463512

Re: Not obsessing. Just amazed. Did you notice

That's a Search Engine Optimization trick (SEO) that helps make sure that the person's name gets out there in the search engine index with bad notary attached to it.

I would strongly suggest that folks not keep clicking on that site. I know we're all curious but by visiting there you're helping to boost their ratings score.

Reply by Natacha Joseph on 3/28/13 12:22pm
Msg #463509

There’s some pretty incendiary stuff on there. This is not a site where an NSAs name should be synonymous. Best of luck in getting it sorted out

Astonished.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 3/28/13 12:53pm
Msg #463513

It's clear this is just about retaliation...

Per their blog...what they wrote just screams sour grapes to me. Plus, it naturally lumps all notaries in to the same pool of being "abusive and attacking" --- as if they are perfect angels.

"BadNotary.com, started in early 2013, is the first online resource aimed at mitigating the negative effects of bad notary agents on signing agencies, mortgage lenders, and borrowers across the United States. Incompetent, unethical, or unprofessional notary loan signing agents should think twice before acting unethically or illegally.

For years, notary agents abused and attacked signing agencies via online public forums and the BBB. In most cases, these helpless loan signing companies gave them significant work and paid in full when funds were disbursed by the lenders."


Reading some of the reviews... I think some of those notaries have a case to contact an attorney. In one they claim the notary was drunk. How does one know if one is drunk by a phone call? The review didn't say she "sounded" or "appeared" drunk... but *was noticeably drunk* --- Uhm, seriously??? C'mon signing services, don't get involved with this. It has fire keg written all over it.

It's one thing to have a site to review notaries... but this site isn't about that. It's all about tearing them down and saying nothing but bad things. The language is purposefully inflammatory. A proper review site would allow for both good and bad reviews and wouldn't have all the negative language and obvious SEO bombs designed to do nothing more than hurt people.

Reply by Eric Andrist on 3/28/13 1:11pm
Msg #463519

Re: It's clear this is just about retaliation...

This is the information about the class action lawsuit

Hi my name is Joshua Douglas. I work with a company called Rush Legal Services. We are currently assisting many notaries that have been effected by Final Link Signings. If you or anyone you know has not been paid by the Abadallah brothers we are currently gathering as many individuals for a Mass Suit against them. You can find my contact at the bottom of this email.
Thank you

Joshua M. Douglas
[e-mail address]
http://www.Rushlegalservices.com
1800 E. Garry Suite 112
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(949)-201-3701

Reply by MikeC/TX on 3/28/13 7:24pm
Msg #463599

Slow down a bit on ths one...

First of all, I would not want to hire any law firm whose outreach employee doesn't know the difference between "effected" and "affected".

Secondly, what the heck is a "Mass Suit"??? He's apparently referring to a class-action - why call it something else?

Finally, and most telling: if he actually works for a law firm, why does he use a Gmail address? Wouldn't the law firm want all email related to this to go through THEIR email server, so that they had a record of the correspondence?

I'm not saying this is bogus, just that you might want to do some research before you jump on this guy's bandwagon...

Reply by JanetK_CA on 3/29/13 12:56am
Msg #463636

Re: Slow down a bit on ths one...

Maybe he's an unemployed lawyer.... I agree, that some caution - and research - is a very good idea.

Reply by Resilient/MD on 3/28/13 2:55pm
Msg #463549

Re: It's clear this is just about retaliation...

All I can say is WOW! This would be Defamation of Character.

Reply by Notarysigner on 3/28/13 1:09pm
Msg #463517

Bad notary because you want more then $75 offered?

You get what you pay for! IMO

Reply by Jack/AL on 3/28/13 1:33pm
Msg #463524

It seems to me that Signing Stream could do more good

for themselves and their business, if they just directed the time, effort, money, and other assets toward improving thier procedures. Blasting others with sour grapes improves nothing, while wasting so much potential for good.

Reply by Jessica/FL on 3/28/13 1:37pm
Msg #463525

While I agree that the site is ridiculous.....

I also read your post below. At the time, I thought that it was ridiculous that after the signing you wrote that you were demanding $250.00 when you already agreed to the $75.00 fee. You should never have agreed to the $75.00 fee to begin with.

Horrific ordeal with Signing Stream
Posted by Eric Andrist of CA on 3/5/13 11:02pm Msg #459418

Got my first call from Signing Stream today, which I guess used to be Home Signings?

Called this morning for a 4 pm signing. Quoted $75. I thought, OK, it must be pretty easy. It was further than I'd usually go for that price, but I wanted to make a good impression.

Docs didn't come until shortly before I had to leave. Tons of pages! I didn't even really get to look at them before I left as I didn't want to be late.

Signing went great...people were fantastic.

Once in the signing, I'm thinking, this is no $75 job! There were over 200 pages, 2 sets, 20 notarizations. PLUS, faxbacks, 96 pages to the Lender, and all the notarized pages to Signing Stream.

Took me 45 minutes to get home in L.A. traffic. Got home and called Signing Stream and told them what all it entailed. The gal immediately starts hemming and hawing with excuses.

After arguing with her, and another guy, I got them to agree to $250.

Reply by Stephanie Santiago on 3/28/13 1:46pm
Msg #463527

Very interesting Jessica - he did agree to $75.00 initially. n/m

Reply by Eric Andrist on 3/28/13 2:16pm
Msg #463537

Re: Very interesting Jessica - he did agree to $75.00 initially.

I agreed to $75 not knowing what the job entailed, which indeed was my fault. But as a new, inexperienced notary, I didn't know better at the time.

I was taught in my loan signing class, and pretty sure that I've read elsewhere, that if a job ends up being more than what was originally agreed, it is appropriate to request more money, which is what I did. It wasn't until they got rude and abusive that it got out of hand. And clearly now from all that I'm reading about this company and the fact that their is a class action lawsuit happening, I wasn't too far off base in doing so.

Now please stop with the silly gossip.

Reply by Eric Andrist on 3/28/13 2:14pm
Msg #463535

Re: While I agree that the site is ridiculous.....

Yes, Jessica, thanks for dredging all that back up again. And you're wrong, I never DEMANDED $250. They asked what I thought it was worth, I told them and they agreed to pay it.

So stop trying to make this more than it was.

Reply by Jessica/FL on 3/28/13 2:18pm
Msg #463538

If it is not true... SUE!

Libel is a serious issue.

Reply by Eric Andrist on 3/28/13 2:22pm
Msg #463540

Re: If it is not true... SUE!

You're absolutely right, that's why I've contacted the class action lawyer, as I mentioned in another post.

Reply by sueharke on 3/28/13 10:28pm
Msg #463624

The owner of badnotary.com

Here is who owns the website using "whois"? This is public information if you know how to get it. Had a good buddy who has the knowledge to find the information get it for me.

The data contained in GoDaddy.com, LLC's WHOIS database,
while believed by the company to be reliable, is provided "as is"
with no guarantee or warranties regarding its accuracy. This
information is provided for the sole purpose of assisting you
in obtaining information about domain name registration records.
Any use of this data for any other purpose is expressly forbidden without the prior written
permission of GoDaddy.com, LLC. By submitting an inquiry,
you agree to these terms of usage and limitations of warranty. In particular,
you agree not to use this data to allow, enable, or otherwise make possible,
dissemination or collection of this data, in part or in its entirety, for any
purpose, such as the transmission of unsolicited advertising and
solicitations of any kind, including spam. You further agree
not to use this data to enable high volume, automated or robotic electronic
processes designed to collect or compile this data for any purpose,
including mining this data for your own personal or commercial purposes.

Please note: the registrant of the domain name is specified
in the "registrant" field. In most cases, GoDaddy.com, LLC
is not the registrant of domain names listed in this database.


Registered through: GoDaddy.com, LLC (http://www.godaddy.com)
Domain Name: BADNOTARY.COM
Created on: 14-Mar-13
Expires on: 14-Mar-14
Last Updated on: 14-Mar-13

Registrant:
Domains By Proxy, LLC

DomainsByProxy.com
14747 N Northsight Blvd Suite 111, PMB 309
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
United States

Administrative Contact:
Private, Registration [e-mail address]
Domains By Proxy, LLC
DomainsByProxy.com
14747 N Northsight Blvd Suite 111, PMB 309
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
United States
(480) 624-2599 Fax -- (480) 624-2598

Technical Contact:
Private, Registration [e-mail address]
Domains By Proxy, LLC
DomainsByProxy.com
14747 N Northsight Blvd Suite 111, PMB 309
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
United States
(480) 624-2599 Fax -- (480) 624-2598

Domain servers in listed order:
NS1419.WEBSITEWELCOME.COM
NS1420.WEBSITEWELCOME.COM


Registry Status: clientDeleteProhibited
Registry Status: clientRenewProhibited
Registry Status: clientTransferProhibited
Registry Status: clientUpdateProhibited

Reply by MikeC/TX on 3/28/13 10:55pm
Msg #463627

Re: The owner of badnotary.com

"Here is who owns the website using "whois"? This is public information if you know how to get it. Had a good buddy who has the knowledge to find the information get it for me."

You don't need a geek to get this info - all you need to do is run a "whois" search, which anyone can do.

What this tells us is that whoever owns the domain is hiding behind a proxy - they paid an extra dollar or two for GoDaddy to hide their information. It would take a subpoena to get at whoever actually own the domain...

Reply by Stoli on 3/28/13 1:37pm
Msg #463526

Never let a crisis go to waste! Don’t be a victim—

Don’t be a victim—go on the offensive

Lowball offer---post it. Payment issue---post it.

The playground bully is trying to steal the ball and won’t let us play the game. Says who?

Collectively we can ruin their posting pleasure and overturn their board by flooding their board with comments of our own.

The momentum of a few thousand disgruntled notaries can turn the tide on their board. Eventually their board becomes worthless.

Reply by ToniK on 3/28/13 2:12pm
Msg #463534

Re: Never let a crisis go to waste! Don�t be a victim�

Have you heard of taking the high road? lol Eric posted he responded to their comment and his is awaiting moderation, which would mean THEY WONT POST IT. They will just delete the email and comment they received. It will never make it to the website.

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 3/28/13 2:45pm
Msg #463544

Re: Never let a crisis go to waste! Don�t be a victim�

If it doesn't appear on the site, wouldn't that actually help him, and anyone else listed on that site, in court, if it goes that far? I would advise him and the others listed there to document all attempts to reply as well as documenting the actual site, in its entirety before and after any submitted replies.

Someone can post their experiences with a SS here on the discussion board on NotRot and the company is free to offer their views of the experience for others to evaluate. If responses from the notaries being labeled as "bad" are not being allowed to be posted, then besides a credibility issue, it would seem to me that site, the posters on that site, and the owners of that site all might also have some legal issues.

Not legal opinions, just common sense ones.

Reply by Eric Andrist on 3/28/13 2:20pm
Msg #463539

Re: Never let a crisis go to waste! Don’t be a victim—

I think that's a great idea ...but I realize not everyone will agree. This company has gotten away with their dastardly doings for far too long. When you sit back and say nothing, it will just continue. I love the idea of notaries standing together.

When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber.
Sir Winston Churchill

Reply by MikeC/TX on 3/28/13 7:44pm
Msg #463602

Yeah, but...

"Collectively we can ruin their posting pleasure and overturn their board by flooding their board with comments of our own."

Comments and responses are moderated - so if they don't like what you have to say, no one ever gets to see it...

Reply by MW/VA on 3/28/13 4:22pm
Msg #463569

I just checked out this website. Kind of a joke, really,

only a couple of notaries listed. IMO it's lawsuit territory. I can see why someone would start up something like that, though. Many notaries have no problem bashing ss when they have a bad experience. I think this is a retaliation & I don't know the cos. involved.

Reply by Eonelin on 8/12/13 9:13am
Msg #480158

No such website exists according to Godaddy. As well, if you put it in the URL bar it won't come up....