Posted by JimAZ on 10/22/13 4:42pm
Msg #489160

Notary on Call

I have never done business with this company, but received the NNA required BGC email today. Here is my response.

"Attached is my background check from Lexis-Nexis. If this is not adequate please tell me why so I can send your response to Lexis-Nexis law department for review and action."

Reply by snowflake/PA on 10/22/13 4:51pm
Msg #489161

I personally like your reply to them. Kudos to you. n/m

Reply by notary4az2 on 10/22/13 4:52pm
Msg #489162

Jim they look like a four star company on Signing Central - Notary on Call aka Notary of California?

Reply by JimAZ on 10/22/13 4:53pm
Msg #489163

I knew that when I replied.

Reply by PegiT_MN on 10/22/13 4:54pm
Msg #489164

I don't think I have ever done business with this company either, and yet I got their e mail today. It seems that the only companies I have received these notices from requiring me to get an NNA BGC are signing companies located in the state of California......isn't that where the NNA is located? It seems to me that only some of the locals are buying the malarkey of the NNA.

Reply by JimAZ on 10/22/13 4:59pm
Msg #489165

While I have no proof, I suspect NNA "kickbacks. " Another Signing Service revenue stream at the expense of notaries.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 10/22/13 5:06pm
Msg #489166

My reply: "You can take the NNA and shove it. I won't give

them one thin dime.

See ya."

Reply by JimAZ on 10/22/13 5:19pm
Msg #489168

Re: My reply: "You can take the NNA and shove it. I won't give

Your reply was my first thought. Then I decided we need to get Lexis-Nexis, Crime-Check, and all other background check companies involved in this. If anyone has a dog in this fight, they do. I plan to forward every email regarding required NNA background checks to the two companies I mentioned above. I encourage everyone else to do the same.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 10/22/13 6:45pm
Msg #489186

Good on you, Jim. Since I'm retired, it just kind of

slipped out of my fingertips - and it felt so good - .

Your reply was, of course, the course to take - and many thanks for following through. We don't have much recourse, but letting the other vendors of BGCs know what and how they are doing this coup, imho, can only serve to help the cause.

As Hugh said, CHALLENGE, CHALLENGE, CHALLENGE.

Mello should really start a Dogs Against the NNA campaign...any woofies?

Reply by MikeC/TX on 10/22/13 7:10pm
Msg #489192

Re: My reply: "You can take the NNA and shove it. I won't give

"I plan to forward every email regarding required NNA background checks to the two companies I mentioned above."

While I don't have a dog in this hunt since I no longer do loan signings, I would suggest that you might want to copy the FTC on your complaints. This smells like a violation of the anti-trust laws.

If I remember correctly, FTC investigators contacted several notaries here a couple of years ago regarding the possibility of price-fixing - an investigation that was probably started by complaints from several SS companies.

As the saying goes, what's good for the goose is good for the gander...

Reply by Susan Fischer on 10/22/13 7:54pm
Msg #489204

Good one. n/m

Reply by Susan Fischer on 10/22/13 7:45pm
Msg #489199

Hey, I got a reply. Here's my response:

"Sorry you feel that way. I am just forwarding what my clients and their lenders have required. Please forward me whatever background check you have."

Notary On Call

Nationwide Notary Services

My reply:

"I'm retired. But I'm sending your "new requirements" on to other vendors of BGCs, like Lexus-Nexus, Notary Rotary, to forward to their legal departments for review.

There is nothing special about the NNA's BGC - and others offer equally valid and, in some cases, wider levels of inquiry/reporting. There is no *actual data* to prove any superiority of NNA's product. It's all about marketing and lobbying.

If Signing Services would look at it from our point of view, it'd be clear that paying to work is just not profitable. Being forced to PAY the NNA to work is outright highway robbery.

Don't be sorry for how I feel. Instead, walk a mile in my Remote Closing Notary Shoes, then ask yourselves: Why would I pay to pay to work? Pay to join, pay to be BGC to "comply" for no earthly reason - other than the NNA's insatiable greed, then - work for the meager offers from SSs that get lower day by day?

I'd be interested in your responses.

Look, you're a small business, I'm a smaller business. Our margins are critically small, respectively. To be ~railroaded~ into coughing up hundreds of dollars for the Middleman (NNA- PAY-US-OR-STARVE) out of our pittances, to me, is well, highway robbery.

At least think about it."

Reply by Susan Fischer on 10/22/13 11:11pm
Msg #489258

Wow. Apparently Sterling is now on the "approved" list,

although their "portal" is still under construction, cyberly speaking, so it's teetering on the exclusive horizon...

Where's the data for these decisions?

This is getting thick. As a brick. It's sick.

Reply by Notaryofcal on 10/22/13 5:31pm
Msg #489170

I am just forwarding what our clients are telling me. I do not get any kick backs from them at all or the NNA. Our clients - Chicago Title, Fidelity and Ticor Title are stating their lenders are requiring this. I am accepting whatever background check you have had done and forwarding that to them when you are on an assignment. If you have received an email from us you have worked with us in the past or have joined our database and want to work with us.

Angela Barnes
Notary On Call

Reply by CJ on 10/22/13 5:46pm
Msg #489171

It seems to me that NNA has convinced the lenders that their background check is the only acceptable one.

Reply by JimAZ on 10/22/13 6:42pm
Msg #489184

Not the lenders, just certain Title companies as outlined by Notary on Call. If lenders were requiring this we would be hearing from the respectable national Title companies like ServiceLink, LSI, and Title Source. The only word we have heard is from ServiceLink. "Background check is required, but is not limited to the NNA check. Others are acceptable." I paraphrase.

This is for Notary on Call. Why blame the lenders for this NNA requirement when it is a few Title Companies? What is their connection with NNA? California?????

Reply by CJ on 10/22/13 7:48pm
Msg #489202

I have recently got this request from a few SS.

I have worked for Notary on Call for many years. They never give me any trouble and like working for them. When I got the same email (about NNA background checks) from other SS, I didn't care. But when I got it from Notary on Call, I was concerned, so I called to find out WHY all-of-a-sudden this was required. She said it was the lenders and the title people (if I am misquoting her, that's my fault). What WAS clear was that this was not a Notary on Call requirement, but a requirement of their clients.

I think it's curious that suddenly, lenders and title people are insisting on NNA background checks. If they really knew notary stuff, they would know that, at least in California, a notary can't be commissioned without a background check. THEREFORE, I think someone (NNA) has been on the phone with horror stories about the "need" for a special "NNA" background checks, so that we will all have to dip into our pockets to make NNA happy and keep our jobs.

(Is this extortion?)

Reply by linda/ca on 10/22/13 10:37pm
Msg #489244

"If lenders were requiring this we would be hearing from the respectable national Title companies like ServiceLink, LSI, and Title Source. "

Just as a point of accuracy, Title Source HAS made it clear that they need a background check from NNA and that has been made clear by many notaries post.

Reply by linda/ca on 10/22/13 10:43pm
Msg #489249

My post was in reference to Jim/AZ post. Trying to keep the

information on this dilemma correct.

Reply by MW/VA on 10/22/13 8:03pm
Msg #489207

Well it's obviously that someone has sold this idea to them.

Some of us are just not willing to jump on board because we're told we have to. No adult likes being told what to do, especially NSA's who are independent contractors. We already have a tough job as it is, and plenty of expenses for training, E&O Insurance, bgc's, advertising on listing sites, etc. There are so many who are making money on our efforts. Many of us have had experience with NNA & don't chose to do business with them.

Reply by CarolF/NC on 10/22/13 7:43pm
Msg #489198

NICE very nice response

I have emailed several back and so far none have continued to insist on the NNA BGC

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 10/22/13 7:58pm
Msg #489206

FWIW Dept.

As regular readers of this forum know, I regard most SSs as lower than whale poop. However, there are notable exceptions, and Notary on Call is definitely at the top of the list. I realize no one is saying anything negative about NOC; however, I would hate to see NOC tarnished in a sort of guilt by association as a result of all the background check headaches.

I haven't worked for any SSs for about a year, and have no stake in NOC.... just letting ya'll know that in my experience over the years with Angela Barnes, she's one of the best.

Reply by JimAZ on 10/22/13 8:08pm
Msg #489211

Re: FWIW Dept.

Nice to know and thank you.

Reply by MW/VA on 10/22/13 8:03pm
Msg #489208

I think that was a good way to handle it, Jim. ;-) n/m

Reply by MW/VA on 10/22/13 8:05pm
Msg #489209

BTW, I forwarded Harry's response in 488158 to a couple

of my clients. I have a current bgc from NR & I'm going to stand up for that one. After all, having a bgc done at all is a voluntary action.

Reply by Gary Williamson on 10/22/13 8:35pm
Msg #489214

Here is what I sent NOC and Notaries in Motion whe I received there NNA BGC requirement email:
Give me a good reason why my background check from CrimCheck Inc is not acceptable. The back ground check performed is much more thorough than the one by the NNA. . Also I am a California notary and have a much more stringent background check requirement by the state of California through the FBI just to become a notary.

As an FYI on background checks it will need to include clear checks of the National Sex Offenders Registry, OFAC (Terrorist Watch List), SSN Trace, County and Federal Criminal History. You can also obtain this from the Notary Rotary or CrimCheck.

You are among other Signing Service's that have sent me this requirement and I plan to forward all of your emails to the California Secretary Of State and the California Attorneys General. I, as well as may other notaries feel there is some pressure by the NNA or XYZ company to create a monopoly on the BGC business. We as notaries are getting fed up with this strong arming aimed at us as individual contractors.

I am also sending this to the other BGC companies that I know of, I am sure they are not real happy with this either.

Reply by MW/VA on 10/22/13 8:37pm
Msg #489218

How about this to the ss, "you show me yours & I'll show you

mine". LOL ;-)

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 10/22/13 9:05pm
Msg #489227

Good one, MW! n/m

Reply by Notarysigner on 10/23/13 10:03am
Msg #489298

Re: How about this to the ss

I don't see any reason why we should ask hiring parties if they have a completed BGC...At least we would know we weren't working for know criminals!

Reply by Notaryofcal on 10/22/13 9:54pm
Msg #489233

This is the entire email I received from FNF. I omitted the portion about Sterling Info Systems as they have not set up the portal yet. I was sending out a mass email to all of my contractors to try and get the ball rolling. I accept full responsibility for the omission. I just did not want anyone to go through Sterling with out the portal set up yet. So again I apologize FNF will only accept the 2 services below.

Angela Barnes



Important Communication



Dear FNF Approved Notary,



Effective November 1, 2013, all notaries conducting signings for our “Preferred Lenders” will be required to have a background check on file with FNF (Fidelity National Financial and any of its subsidiaries) in accordance with our service agreements executed with each of these lenders. (Note that this list of lenders will be expanded upon in the future as more lenders require service agreements.) If you do not have a background check on file, you can still perform signings for our family of Companies but NOT for any transactions to which any of these lenders are our insured party. This requirement pertains to all transactions to which these lenders are involved in regardless of the transaction type (resale, refinance, commercial, etc.).



Our “Preferred Lenders” are:



1) Bank of America

2) BMO Harris

3) JP Morgan Chase

4) Union Bank

5) US Bank

6) Wells Fargo



FNF will ONLY accept two vendor’s background checks, either the NNA (National Notary Association) or Sterling Info Systems. We are in the process of setting up a portal with Sterling, and we will advise you in the near future of the steps necessary to receive a background check from them. Do not attempt to seek a background check from Sterling directly until you are advised to do so. If you have had a background check previously done by the NNA, please forward a copy or screen shot of your certificate to [e-mail address] . We will verify your background check with the NNA and note you as an approved notary for these “preferred lenders”.



Any notary company that has been approved by FNF must provide proof that each notary or independent contractor they utilize for our “Preferred Lenders” has been background checked by either submitting the NNA certificate or having them background checked through Sterling Info Systems. We will continue to use the approved notary companies, but only those notaries that have provided proof of a background check will be used for signings for these “Preferred Lenders”. Each notary will be listed under your company as approved to perform signings for our “Preferred Lenders”. For example, ABC Signing Company is a company on our approved notary list. If ABC has an individual, John Doe, get a clear background check, “ABC Signing Company – John Doe” would show in our approved notary database as eligible to do signings for our “preferred lenders”.



If you have any questions, please contact Liz Rhea at 619-920-7720.

Reply by Stoli on 10/22/13 10:22pm
Msg #489237

Sterling is up and running. Call the sales department. n/m

Reply by JimAZ on 10/22/13 10:42pm
Msg #489248

As long as Sterling is in no way associated with NNA I will consider them for my next BGC which expires in January.

Reply by JimAZ on 10/22/13 10:58pm
Msg #489256

Of course, since the Title companies you mentioned give me no business at this time I will have to check with my largest clients to see if Sterling is acceptable.