Posted by SC/CA on 10/24/13 1:06pm
Msg #489620

Fidelity Notice of Authorization

Is anyone else being asked to sign the Fidelity (FNF): Notice of Authorization to Release Information ? (along with a BGC). It’s entitled: “Notice, Authorization, and Release Regarding Existing Certificates, and/or Investigative Consumer Reports.” And states: “….this Notice, Authorization and Release include, but are not limited to, information concerning my criminal history, motor vehicle history, social security number, character, or any other information requested by any customer, client, lender or other financial institution…” Releasing our social security numbers (and "any other information") to any requesting customer or client ? Any thoughts? Thanks.

Reply by Lee/AR on 10/24/13 1:12pm
Msg #489622

Seems like everyone has a right to privacy...except when working as an NSA.

Reply by desktopfull on 10/24/13 1:14pm
Msg #489623

They can close their loans in office if they want

that form signed. No way will I give them authorization to release that info to anyone else. If everyone refuses then they will either drop the request or be forced to close their loans in office.

Reply by ME/NJ on 10/24/13 1:27pm
Msg #489625

If you are that worried sign up with Life Lock, we see people most confidential information all the time don't you think each one of us should be vetted and even so I would bet there are some bad eggs out there.

I know I close a couple million each month

Reply by sueharke on 10/24/13 2:45pm
Msg #489648

If you really paranoid, don't sign up for Life Lock, just "freeze" your credit.

Reply by Notarysigner on 10/24/13 1:29pm
Msg #489626

I wonder how much they are paying?

That's ridiculous. Anybody ask a borrower to sign a statement regarding fleas or head lice?

They can get all this information at the local barber shop or beauty salon.

Reply by jba/fl on 10/24/13 1:36pm
Msg #489631

Head lice and crabs - real barriers to a successful signing.

Also, real threats.

Reply by Lee/AR on 10/24/13 2:20pm
Msg #489637

Whoa...wait a minute. FNF does NOT get that info anyway.

It's my understanding, at least with the XYZ/BGC report, that it is strictly a Pass/Fail notification. Nobody gets the actual report. Now I don't know how Sterling (that's FNF's alternative BGC, right?)
handles this, but the whole scenario does raise some interesting questions/problems. All these Lenders have Privacy Policies that pertain to their customers information. We aren't their customers. Why would they even have a need for this info and WHY would they have a need/right to 'release it to a customer? other financial institution?' When is OUR privacy protected? Anywhere?

Reply by desktopfull on 10/24/13 2:26pm
Msg #489640

Yes, they can upon request. n/m

Reply by sigtogo/OR on 10/24/13 8:11pm
Msg #489690

request of who, desk? nna tells me all they get is cert n/m

Reply by desktopfull on 10/24/13 9:00pm
Msg #489696

Re: request of who, desk? nna tells me all they get is cert

The last sentence in the "Collection, Use and Sharing of Personal Information for Background Screening" part of the privacy statement is: "The results of your background screening will be made available to the financial industry, title insurance companies, their affiliates and/or subcontractors, on SigningAgent.com."

It doesn't say a certificate will be provided, it says the results will be made available. I've tried to view the info they have on me at that webpage, but my NNA log in doesn't work on that page. I suppose you need a different type of membership with them to view the info.

Reply by sueharke on 10/24/13 5:42pm
Msg #489668

Re: Whoa...wait a minute. FNF does NOT get that info anyway.

What is the written privacy policy for your business?

Reply by Angela Frame on 10/24/13 2:41pm
Msg #489646

Whoa, this is the first I've heard of this "release". I have a HUGE problem releasing my SS# to "anyone requesting it", especially after recently being a victim of identity fraud with the IRS . I even use and EIN # instead of my social for extra protection and still was frauded. I understand they want to know who is handling their customers sensitive information but isn't why we are doing this background check? We are Notaries appointed by our states and have to submit to live scan fingerprint and BC check with the FBI and DOJ (at least in Ca). Isn't that enough?! What happened to our privacy??!!

Reply by MW/VA on 10/24/13 4:03pm
Msg #489658

This is the form that EMPLOYERS usually have signed. We

are not EMPLOYEES, and they have no right to that info. I wouldn't sign it.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 10/24/13 5:29pm
Msg #489667

Some of this stems from the NNA class action lawsuit, guys..

The class action lawsuit that the NNA settled involved not giving proper federally required disclosures to notaries obtaining background checks.

The language being used is fairly standard in disclosures and authorizations for performing background checks.

Reply by pan/nd on 10/24/13 7:03pm
Msg #489670

I have a big problem with "any other information" that any customer, client, lender or financial institution may request.....

let's see....military record...credit report......bank account ... character (oh good Gosh) ....the list is endless.

My atty says he'd never sign that. He says it's a license for them to get anything...and

everything.

Reply by JeffC/CA on 10/24/13 7:08pm
Msg #489671

I just received a request for this form to be signed. I'm having a lot of trouble with this one. I don't mind sharing most of that with Fidelity, but for them to give it to anyone they work with, especially my social security number, that's not going to fly. I think I'll redact the SS and send it that way and see what happens.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 10/24/13 7:35pm
Msg #489681

Redaction is good. Mine would look like a a Sharpie com-

mercial.

Reply by JeffC/CA on 10/25/13 11:33am
Msg #489749

Re: Redaction is good. Mine would look like a a Sharpie com-

Don't use Sharpies for redaction! If you just use a marker, even a Sharpie to cover up text, it will still show up on a scan. Try this yourself. Just enlarge the scan on your computer and you will see right through that redaction. Many are amazed by this.

You can use Adobe Acrobat (full version) redaction tool, or create a photo scan of your document, a .jpg or whatever, then paint over the wording you want to be hidden. Finally, convert the document to .pdf format and you're done. Yes there are other ways to do this.

One final note. Don't "reverse" the text background color to hide text by simply highlighting it and changing it to same color as the text (usually black). This will NOT work. Anyone could simply do a copy and paste of that text and see what was there. If you make your .pdf an image file, then this may work.

Good luck!

Reply by Susan Fischer on 10/25/13 8:40pm
Msg #489810

Re: Redaction is good. Ok. How about electrical tape?

On a printed/copied/scanned/emailed form so redacted...

Reply by sueharke on 10/25/13 12:45pm
Msg #489759

Smart - sought legal advise before signing the document

Reply by Ernest__CT on 10/24/13 7:33pm
Msg #489679

There's no way I'd agree to that!

Reply by MW/VA on 10/24/13 7:41pm
Msg #489682

Wow. I got that form from one of the cos., too. I have a

big problem with it. Especially this part:
"I hereby release FNF, to the full extent permitted by law, from any liability or claims arising from releasing, disclosing, providing and/or reporting information concerning me to any party pursuant to this Notice, Authorization and Release."
At first, I thought we'd won this battle, because they told me they are now accepting all bgc's, but this form has to be attached. WTH????
I'd like to hear from Hugh on this one!

Reply by MW/VA on 10/24/13 7:54pm
Msg #489687

Here's the whole agreement--unbelievable!

NOTICE, AUTHORIZATION AND RELEASE REGARDING EXISTING CERTIFICATES AND/OR INVESTIGATIVE CONSUMER REPORTS
________________________________________________________________________
I have provided or will provide to Fidelity National Financial, Inc. and/or its family of title companies (collectively referred to as FNF) a copy of my Background Screening Certificate from the GLBA-Compliant National Notary Association (“NNA”) or other approved vendor.
I HEREBY AUTHORIZE FNF to release, disclose and/or provide a copy of any and all certificates, forms, questionnaires, investigative reports, background checks, evaluations, analysis or any other information that I have provided or caused to be provided to FNF, or which FNF has prepared, to any customer, client, lender or other financial institution for whom FNF provides services, so as to evidence that I meet the requirements, qualifications and standards imposed by such customer, client, lender or financial institution on persons who receive or have access to consumer financial information or other confidential information.
I hereby agree and understand that this Notice, Authorization and Release will remain valid as long as I provide any services for or to FNF and throughout my affiliation with FNF. The matters and information which are covered by this Notice, Authorization and Release include, but are not limited to, information concerning my criminal history, motor vehicle history, social security number, character, or any other information requested by any customer, client, lender or other financial institution. As used herein FNF means FNF and any other division of the Fidelity National Financial, Inc. family of title insurers, including any related companies, subsidiaries and/or affiliates thereof.
I hereby release FNF, to the full extent permitted by law, from any liability or claims arising from releasing, disclosing, providing and/or reporting information concerning me to any party pursuant to this Notice, Authorization and Release.
I agree that a copy or fax of this document shall be as valid as the original.
Signature
Date
Print Name

Reply by sigtogo/OR on 10/24/13 8:17pm
Msg #489691

if all you have given them is the cert then this form

only allows them to share the cert as stated in the first paragraph. if you have not given them, nor authorized them to do their own bkgd check, they won't have your personal info. JMO but I intend to investigate further to be sure.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 10/24/13 8:58pm
Msg #489695

Re: if all you have given them is the cert then this form

Are you sure about that? What about the 2nd part of this statement: "that I have provided or caused to be provided to FNF"?

And if they're only getting a copy of a certificate from the BGC provider, why would they include social security numbers on the list of information they might receive? Someone mentioned that this was a standard release for used for employees, in which case they would have a reason to receive a social security number, but that's not the case for us. I intend to look into it a bit more myself. Perhaps they could come up with a modified version more appropriate for an independent contractor.

Reply by CarolF/NC on 10/24/13 8:19pm
Msg #489693

I ignored it:) where is this coming from?

This is getting ridiculous. Oh Stoli where are you?

Reply by MW/VA on 10/25/13 9:38am
Msg #489724

Yes, it is completely ridiculous!!! n/m

Reply by Peter Jeute on 10/25/13 11:19am
Msg #489747

Re: Yes, it is completely ridiculous!!!

Not one of us HAS to do this, they only stipulate that you wouldn't be able to perform a signing for their "preferred" lenders and in all honestly I haven't seen any loan docs with any of the lenders they list and I do enough work for First American, Fidelity and Chicago. You can still perform signings for them. For now, I'm on the fence about this and not going to sign that as I do value my privacy. Also, doesn't anyone wonder how much they actually protect this info once they have it? I've seen documents with confidential info on them just tossed in the trash before so I'm not surprised when I hear about identity theft. I'm taking a wait and see approach on this one.

Reply by sueharke on 10/25/13 12:51pm
Msg #489760

Re: Here's the whole agreement--unbelievable!

As we have all been educated to understand if you don't agree with the document don't sign it. But if we cross out and initial and date the part we disagree with, it is a legal move on our part. If a modified document is sent via paper or fax, I doubt it will be read, just filed away. If our information is shared based on a modified document that was not read, it might be a basis for a lawsuit (small claims court, Judge Judy, Judge Alex, etc). Just because it was not read first is FNF's problem.

This is a hard decision to make and I hope each makes it after very careful consideration.

Reply by garland/CA on 10/25/13 5:00pm
Msg #489784

Re: Here's the whole agreement--unbelievable!

This form needs to be re-written to only allow release of the Background Screening Certificate, not personal information, such as SSN. It is reaching too far into our personal privacy and is not necessary information for the lenders.

Now I will contact the FNF to either re-write it, or I will re-write one myself and sign it. I cannot sign a blanket release of my personal information.

Reply by garyw148 on 10/26/13 10:47am
Msg #489865

Re: Here's the whole agreement--unbelievable!

My take on this entire issue of BGC is wait and see. I am not planning on using the NNA but come January I will probably use the other approved screaner because I need to redo my BGC in January anyway. I do not plan on signing any other documents to allow sharing my personal information with anyone. If that means I will not get any signings from a few title companies then so be it.