Posted by Harry [NR] on 10/15/13 3:06am
Msg #488158

Notary Public Background Checks

I’m writing to share a few updates related to background checks. First, I’ve refreshed the NPBC web site. Check it out at www.notarypublicbackgroundcheck.com. If you spend a minute or two on the site, you’ll see we’re using Crimcheck.com as our background screening partner. The Crimcheck “check” is about as comprehensive as anything short of the FBI and DOJ and is used by a number of other companies. We’ve been using them for years because a) They’re good and easy to work with, b) Their services are fairly priced.

Next, the goal of NPBC is the same as it was seven years ago: to provide notaries with a cost-effective choice for screening while providing vendors, business partners, etc., both a means to request background checks directly, in addition to a platform for independent verification of third-party background checks. Despite the availability of this service, there are companies that continue to send messages to notaries, requiring the use of a specific vendor:

“Within the past few months, the majority of our lenders have asked that we only accept NNA checks. One main reason is that these are the one source we are able to verify independently.”

It is still not clear to us why vendors are spreading misinformation like this. It is clear that we offer background checks and that those checks can be verified independently. In addition, it is our contention that background checks like these are largely commodity items – they are performed essentially the same way by all companies working in the space – and that non-governmental background checks are inherently flawed, so it’s impossible to argue that one company is providing something substantially better than another.

Next, if it’s not clear from the web site, NPBC has enough flexibility to allow for integration with signing services, title companies, lenders, education and certification providers, and other listing services. We had these capabilities seven years ago when we first rolled it out. At that time, not only did we commission the background checks, but we required live identity verification, commission and insurance verification, and more. Our check was encompassing, albeit burdensome, at a time when stripped-down checks were the flavor of the day. We ran like that for a year or two before disabling the extras and scaling our check down to match the market leader. (In fact, just last year I dropped a couple hundred pounds of verification paperwork at a document destruction center.)

Where does all that leave us? Well, everyone has been receiving notifications reminiscent of the past. For reasons unknown or not clearly defined (maybe related to GLBA again, maybe related to some interpretation of Dodd-Frank, or maybe simply as a result of meetings no one else is privy to), you’re being told that you must get your background check from a single vendor and that it’s now an annual check. The same rumblings of monopolistic practices, anti-trust violations, anti-competitive behavior, collusion and class action lawsuits are speckling the Internet boards and filling our Inbox. People are angry (again) and it’s coming at a time when both work and profitability are down.

What can you do? Ask your vendors why they are unwilling to accept the NPBC certification and save their responses. If it is a verbal conversation, please note the details, date, time and the person you spoke with. Point them to the Partners page of our web site to view a sample background check. Let them know they can use the Verification page or notarycheck.com to verify our checks. Let them know about our integration capabilities. Tell them the goal of NPBC is to provide the most cost-effective, open, and acceptable background check in the industry.

What will we do? To start, I am changing our background check to reflect the Issue Date rather than a specific Expiration Date. Expiration Dates are silly and arbitrary, anyway – it’s a point-in-time check and does not necessarily speak to future behavior. (This is in response to companies that do not want to see a date more than 1 year into the future on any check.) I will also be speaking with a couple different screening companies this week, a handful of signing services, and one or two more companies to discuss reactions and additional options. Many of these companies are as upset as you are, so maybe we can all work together to find an acceptable solution.

Thanks,
Harry
Notary Rotary

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 10/15/13 4:03am
Msg #488159

Well, I can tell you that having had the NPBC check and the NNA check check done at the same time and side-by-side, the NPBC is FAR, FAR superior. I've posted about the details previously, and I've even told the NNA that their BGC vendor missed something fairly important... namely, checking the county records where I actually live, and had lived for over 2 years, not to mention reported a lot of incorrect information that didn't even relate to me. Anyone who tells me that the NNA's check is better than the NPBC clearly has absolutely no clue what they're talking about.

Reply by Linda_in_IN on 10/15/13 5:33am
Msg #488160

Thank you so much for the update and info ! ! n/m

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 10/15/13 5:39am
Msg #488161

Here's a portion of my *other* BGC....areas they

checked in running the BGC...not sure if NPBC checks all this - I compared the two and don't see all of this - maybe I'm missing it

Report: United Nations Named Terrorist list
Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons
Bank of England Sanctions
Department Defense Trade Controls (DTC) Debarred Parties
U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security Unverified Entity List
U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security Denied Entity List
U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security Denied Persons List
World Bank List of Debarred Firms

I hope the BGC done here can be accepted - but it's going to take a concerted effort on all our parts - both all notaries and NotRot Admin - to convince the sheeples that the *other* place isn't the only game in town. I, too, found discrepancies in my *other* BGC, such as a name I've never been known by...

What will it take? Every single notary putting their foot down, digging their heels in and issuing an emphatic NO - and sticking to it. It's also possible that any anti-trust or anti-competitive actions, including collusion, may have to come from the Administrators of both this site and the companies used to perform the BGCs here, since the basic belief being fostered out there is that the BGC here is an inferior product.

JMO

Reply by Christine/OK on 10/15/13 6:37am
Msg #488164

Thank You, Harry, for your ongoing efforts! Rah Rah Rah :D n/m

Reply by Notarysigner on 10/15/13 8:16am
Msg #488167

Thanks Harry! That's good enough for me! n/m

Reply by Notarysigner on 10/15/13 9:54am
Msg #488177

Sounds like a good idea to challenge why as Harry suggested

" What can you do? Ask your vendors why they are unwilling to accept the NPBC certification and save their responses. If it is a verbal conversation, please note the details, date, time and the person you spoke with. Point them to the Partners page of our web site to view a sample background check. Let them know they can use the Verification page or notarycheck.com to verify our checks. Let them know about our integration capabilities. Tell them the goal of NPBC is to provide the most cost-effective, open, and acceptable background check in the industry."

Reply by Lee/AR on 10/15/13 9:03am
Msg #488172

I did it myself thru LexisNexis & several would not accept

it because it did not include a Driving Record check. I'm with Harry and will hassle these 'only this one' companies. Thank you, Harry, for being proactive on this new old issue.

Reply by A S Johnson on 10/15/13 9:56am
Msg #488178

Harry,
Thank you for your quick and on going attention to the issue. You are trying to "debunk" this mis information being spread.

Reply by HisHughness on 10/15/13 10:11am
Msg #488182

If there ever was any question about the value of NotRot ...

... over the XYZ and other companies, this post should lay them to rest.

This is a <commercial> operation, not a non-profit as the XYZ claims to be. Harry is in this to make a living. But he makes a living by actually trying to serve the best interests of signing agents, not serving his own interests and then trying to convince one and all that he's really working for them. I have yet to see an instance in which Harry and his crew did not put the good of the industry first.

I have admired and appreciated Harry's approach to business for years. We can all use him for a model.

Reply by MW/VA on 10/15/13 11:03am
Msg #488185

Thanks, Harry. As always you are there for us, and I trust

you & don't trust that other organization. I love the honesty & integrity you are known for. ;-)
You & your staff have always had our best interests as paramount to your business. I think this is successful for all of us. Thanks again! ;-)

Reply by Les_CO on 10/15/13 1:06pm
Msg #488211

I've posted this again, so more may see but....

Just FYI I recently received this from FNF (Fidelity National Financial) regarding their “Preferred Lenders.” FNF must have a copy of your NNA ‘certificate’ before you can do any signings for these lenders.
I paraphrase:
As November 1, 2013 any of FNF’s ‘Preferred Notaries’ that do closing for our ‘Preferred Lenders’ must have a current Background Check from The NNA, or Sterling info Systems. Our Preferred lenders are: 1/ Bank of America, 2/BMO Harris, 3/ JP Morgan Chase, 4/ Union Bank, 5/ US Bank, /Wells Fargo.
So it’s the LENDERS that are requiring this….and the Title Companies, and their respective SS are just following orders….Personally I HATE the NNA, I am NOT a member, I believe they alone have caused the downfall of a good professional business (NSA) by their greedy unconscionable tactics but ….. FNF must have a copy of your NNA BGC ‘certificate’ before you can do any signings for these lenders, and apparently the Sterling deal is not up and running yet. I guess FNF can make their own rules….but I smell dishonest business practices, and kickbacks somewhere in this mess. JMO

Reply by JanetK_CA on 10/15/13 4:58pm
Msg #488236

Re: I've posted this again, so more may see but....

Out of curiosity, I called the NNA yesterday to find out what would be involved with getting their BGC. Among other things, I was told that their certification was a required piece, and that both were accessed online. In other words, no actual proof of ID was required, either for the certification exam or for the background screen. It's been a while since I acquired the Notary Rotary BGC, but I believe I had to send in a copy of my ID before the background check could be run.

That should give those lenders something to think about right there! Sheesh! How can they even prove that the person requesting it is actually the same person as the one whose background screening is being requested?

[DISCLAIMER: I haven't actually applied for either, so I don't know what kind of security procedures they do or don't have in place.]

Reply by MW/VA on 10/15/13 7:58pm
Msg #488256

Yes, Les, that n/m

Reply by MW/VA on 10/15/13 7:59pm
Msg #488257

Yes, Les, that's the same email I've been getting from a

couple of cos. too. I wonder what these lenders are requiring from the people who are hiring me (ss). Once again, they seem to have immunity in this picture.

Reply by Les_CO on 10/16/13 9:42am
Msg #488297

Re: Yes, Les, that's the same email I've been getting from a

I have a friend that has a SS, she is not happy with this latest FNF pronouncement, she has over 20 thousand notaries in her data base, do you know how long it will take to notify all of them and request that they have a NNA ‘certificate’ and to send it to her? And in the mean time when she gets an order, the order doesn’t say which lender it comes from, so she has to call and ask then seek out a notary in the area of the signing that has a NNA certificate? All for what because some moron somewhere thinks the NNA background check is somehow the only one to use? I guess you just can’t cure stupid.

Reply by Darlin_AL on 10/16/13 10:07am
Msg #488303

I reviewed the NPBC's info required on the site and

I don't know that I could be accurate about the "work history" segment. Even before I "retired", I would be hesitant to attempt a complete "work history" as we moved around quite a bit; many, small & large companies I worked for are either under another name or gone. Yes, I do have a resume, but it's focused on the industry. I am curious as to how much detail they want the person to be able to provide on the application? Could I "flunk" if I can't account for 40 years? Albiet I was bonded as a notary in at least 2 states during that time.

Reply by Sherry_CA on 10/18/13 7:58pm
Msg #488690

I am now receiving tons of emails from different lenders and signing companies saying they can no longer work with me effective Nov 1st unless I get my background check ONLY through NNA. I have 2 other background checks through extremely through companies. I agree with Harry...who is to say NNA is better then what we have?!! NNA finally found a way to get our money. This is so NOT fair to us Notaries!

Reply by DUCK/CA on 11/25/13 5:48pm
Msg #494044

I believe this all due to the recent efforts of the NNA and their Signing Professionals Workgroup. I just had to bite the bullet and pay for this. I was able to do it without becoming a NNA member or paying for their training course. So the $65 NNA fee is a necessary evil that satisfies many companies' requirements. My experience has been most companies require either the NNA cert or a specific BGC that specific company specifies. I have had a couple companies that insist on only their specific non-NNA BGC company, and for those I refuse.

Reply by C. Rivera Chicago Notary Services on 12/30/13 6:16am
Msg #497253

Re: Notary Public Background Checks- Harry any update n/m

Reply by C. Rivera Chicago Notary Services on 12/30/13 6:16am
Msg #497254

Re: Notary Public Background Checks- Harry any update . n/m