Posted by notarydi/CA on 3/16/13 5:52pm
Msg #461626

new trend???

Did signing this morning. SS & Escrow that I do a lot of work for. Now, Escrow
Affidavit with added verbage....” Notary affirms fraud protection black light device has been used to authenticate photo i.d. Of borr.” WTH??? Anyone else seeing this?

Reply by CJ on 3/16/13 6:09pm
Msg #461631

Black light device.

Once I thought about getting a "black light device" for verifying IDs. They were about $400! Then I found a black light on a key chain really cheap on line, and I got it, but I kept forgetting to use it.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 3/16/13 6:17pm
Msg #461633

Who is signing that affidavit? You, as the notary? I sure hope they aren't asking you to add your seal to that.

How odd.

I have a small magnifier/UV light device that I use once in a while, but not always. It depends on the situation.

Reply by CinOH on 3/16/13 7:22pm
Msg #461640

Some of these companies think they can put anything into a certificate. I would not sign or notarize any document with that wording on it.

Reply by notarydi/CA on 3/16/13 8:13pm
Msg #461645

yep, it was an internal escrow form. wanted my basic information like I always put. then, the added verbage. no notorial wording. just "notary affirms........". I lined through it and initialled. will talk to escrow on Monday. SS told me you can get them at Office Depot for $15. But, I still don't know what I'm looking for once I get it......

Reply by Robert522TX on 3/16/13 8:41pm
Msg #461652

Interesting...would like to know more about this...

Reply by HSH/WA on 3/16/13 10:50pm
Msg #461661

Re: NO! Leave your crime lab - CIA/FBI hat at home.

Notaries should not take on the job of validating to see if it is a genuine ID. Yes, check to see that it matches our BO, is current and is not obviously tampered with. An SS told a BO the other day that they needed copies of their DL but not to worry the notary will take a picture of them with his/her camera. It is indicative of more expectations having SAs take pictures of IDs, fill out tax and trust forms and now authenticate IDs.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 3/17/13 12:28am
Msg #461666

Re: NO! Leave your crime lab - CIA/FBI hat at home.

I don't totally agree about checking ID. Step one of our job is to make sure the person whose signature we're about to notarize has satisfactory ID. I will agree that we shouldn't have to be accountable if someone does present us with a fake ID, but it is something, IMO, that we should try to prevent. Frankly, though, I can't really picture myself making use of a black light checker as standard part of my routine.

I'm with you on the photo ID, part, though. The more we do, the more they expect. I'm not a fan of that type of attitude, but I guess there's a reason that the old expression "give them an inch, they'll take a mile" has become a cliche. Sigh.....

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 3/17/13 10:32am
Msg #461687

Better be able to tell if it is an obvious fake ID

In the "Supplies" section of NotRot,

I.D. Checking Guide, U.S. & Canada
Product Number: 110691

There is also an International ID guide available on other sites by the same publishing company that would probably also be helpful for people that have international notary customers.


IMO, the I.D. Checking Guide, U.S. & Canada, is worth the investment. We might know what our own state's DL, ID cards look like and what to look for in fakes, but if someone handed a (generic) CA notary a TX or a WA fake DL, would they really know what a real DL or ID card from that state should look like?

What if they handed them a fake "TX" DL that looks like it was actually issued by LA with the wrong state name on it? All the information would "match", it would be current, and it wouldn't show any signs of being tampered with, regardless it would still be an obvious fake ID.

That said, I agree with what you said about some companies expecting more services for free, and usually without even asking or informing the NSA about the expected additional services until they are at the table.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 3/17/13 12:26am
Msg #461665

Yes. I'm no ID expert, and a gadget isn't going to make

me one. If I can swear in court that I followed state law, used my best judgment, and my journal backs that up? I'm good.

Jmho.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 3/17/13 10:59am
Msg #461699

Here's why I use mine once in a while...

It's just a small little UV light and magnifier that I keep with my gear. I will pull it out when I'm presented with ID that is unfamiliar and the ID checking guide indicates certain features. It just lets me check them so I'm comfortable. Also, I believe it makes a "show" in certain situations where the signer seems jumpy. It shows them I'm serious about verifying their ID.

But really... I probably only pull it out once or twice a month.

I don't think I'd go with this requirement from the lender about always verifying ID with a black light. That seems ridiculous to me.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 3/17/13 5:21pm
Msg #461759

That makes good sense. Only once or twice did I ever take

thumbprints, presented as if just SOP, in iffyish situations. Like the couple with *very* sparce furnishing complete with rental tags and models in the picture frames - and the strangest vibes... Never heard boo, so guess all's right with the world.

Geez, then there was the CSI episode that explained about the "layering" in DLs... holy smokes.

Reply by walthtz on 3/17/13 1:03pm
Msg #461721

why would we need this? We are there only to make sure the person signing the documents is who they say they are.
We are NOT there to prove if the ID is trure or not? are we?
And what happens if the ID presented shows up under the black light as bad. Then what do we do? call the Police, FBI ?

Reply by Susan Fischer on 3/17/13 12:15am
Msg #461664

Ditto. n/m

Reply by 101livescan on 3/17/13 9:49am
Msg #461677

Now that's getting pretty finite...this is the lite you see the TSA's using at airports when you go through security screening passengers. This is getting a little ridiculous, don't you think?

I mean, all the checks and rechecks that borrowers go through to get a loan approved these days, the preliminary title report, credit and employment verification, past addresses, I've had borrowers tell me they had to dig up old divorce decrees from 25 years ago, death certificates, unbelievable, and yes, they have refinanced since these events. The things underwriters ask for is endless. Do you really think we're not getting the real McCoy at the signing event.

This is one step beyond what is needed, in my opinion. Now if you're called upon to do a power of attorney alone, or a grant deed or quit deed, conveying Mom's property to a child or to the pool man, that's another story. That could be very suspicious along with the ID being presented. That is the kind of GNW I look very hard at and may turn away. Getting asked to do this work at assisted care facilities for someone with oncoming Altzheimer's could be compromising. But loan signing work is generally so scrutinized before we get it and meet with the borrower, I believe this is an unnecessary requirement.

I just think this is ridiculous, am I the only one? What will be next, a DNA swab? What an invasion of privacy.

Reply by Beverly Kinlaw on 3/17/13 10:14am
Msg #461682

NEXT: black light id and the comes the mouth swab and finally we will have to take blood samples from the borrowers to match their blood type to their medical records.

Geez? Anyone remember the handshake days?

Reply by 101livescan on 3/17/13 10:19am
Msg #461684

Even handshaking, as it turns out, is pretty risky, given the flu season we've been through this year. I've learned that most people I greet at the title office prefer not to shake hands, we just nod, I offer them water, coffee, tea and guide them to our signing room.

Too close for comfort. I'm also sanitizing after every signing. I think a lot of people are.

Reply by hodgy on 3/17/13 10:35am
Msg #461689

agree with 101livescan n/m

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 3/17/13 12:46pm
Msg #461720

"What will be next, DNA swab? What an invasion of privacy."

We already get their DNA - in their thumprints! Actually, I think a DNA swab might be less messy than the thumbprint. Or a little snip of hair. I always thought that would be next. Tho that would be a problem with bald people. Anyway, if you get a thumbprint of the loan signer, they can have all the phony IDs they want. The real mccoy is in your journal.

Reply by Stoli on 3/17/13 6:58pm
Msg #461765

Tell me, GG, where, oh, where, could we get that snippet? n/m

Reply by Lavergne Manuel on 3/17/13 9:03pm
Msg #461772

Re: Tell me, GG, where, oh, where, could we get that snippet?

www.fraudfighter.com, UV Authentication Pen. I use it along with the I.D. Checking Guide for out of state people. Cost $59.00 and comes with a Life Time Warranty. It also comes with a guide for checking money. Lets you see the images that the naked eye cannot see. The I.D. Checking discribes what to look for. I have never used it for in state people.