Posted by PegiT_MN on 9/18/13 3:58pm
Msg #484976

ALERT: Accurate National Signings Criminal Proceedings

I have a very important announcement to make to any and all notaries that were bilked out of their money by Amanda Marie Kirkish of the now defunct Accurate National Signings formerly known as Accurate Signing Service of Lake Elsinore and Wildomar, California.

I have spoken to the legal team of ValuAmerica and have been told that they have a list of at least 30 notaries that have not been paid by Amanda Kirkish and the calls keep coming in every day. They have come to the realization that Amanda was not truthful about her very public criminal past when signing up with them for their business. If you are owed money by this company, please contact ValuAmerica and let them know.

I have also been in touch with the Riverside County California District Attorney's office and have told them exactly what Amanda Marie Kirkish has done by gaining business from ValuAmerica and hiring notaries throughout the country to close loans for her and then not paying them. She has claimed that ValuAmerica has not paid her, but ValueAmerica has proof that she was paid 30 days after the closings. The District Attorney's office is very interested in pursuing criminal proceedings against Amanda Marie Kirkish as she was on probation for theft related charges when she opened this company, she picked a name very similar to another company in California with a good reputation, she lied about her criminal history, and she has a pattern of not paying any of the notaries that she hired to perform a legal transaction.

The DA's office asked that I let everyone know that they are interested in filing criminal proceedings against her but need all notaries that were bilked out of their money to come forward and report this crime. You should go to the District Attorney's website and download the special prosecution complaint form and return it to their office. I have included the links for you.

http://rivcoda.org/opencms/index.html

http://rivcoda.org/opencms/system/galleries/download/daVictimWitnessServices/SPS_ComplaintForm.pdf

Reply by jba/fl on 9/18/13 4:02pm
Msg #484978

Good start here. Many thanks for your groundbreaking actions n/m

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 9/18/13 4:11pm
Msg #484980

I think this just goes to show that you do NOT mess with the notary community...especially those at Notary Rotary.

I never worked for them. But, I find it reprehensible that anyone would open a notary signing service, have access to peoples' personal financial information while serving probation for identity theft related crimes. As a lender or customer, I would be furious if I found this out. It's also why, if I am ever to sign home loan documents again, I will insist on doing it in person at the bank or Title company and I'm bringing a notary that I trust with me. I would not allow them to farm it out to a signing service or have a notary come to my home, not knowing how my documents were treated. I know that sounds weird... but it's true. I know hoe *I* handle documents in my care, but clearly, there's a issue with the system. I suppose it's like a restaurant employee who loves food but refuses to eat at the restaurant they work at because they see what goes on in the kitchen.

(As I always be sure to point out... her conviction has since been expunged after completing said probation. BUT, that doesn't mean a whole lot in some circles, especially because she is NOT eligible to be a notary in California for at least 5 years, if ever, even if she passed the exam.) You can read about record expungement here: http://www.saclaw.lib.ca.us/pages/expunging-criminal-records.aspx

Of note is this part:

"Although your conviction may be dismissed, restrictions resulting from the conviction cannot. An expungement does not:

Remove the conviction from your criminal history. California and FBI criminal history records will still show the conviction and the subsequent dismissal.
Seal the court case file from public inspection. The court file remains public record.
Reinstate your right to possess firearms. In some cases, reduction of a non-violent felony to a misdemeanor may accomplish this.
Relieve you of your duty to register as a sex offender. In some cases, this may be accomplished by a different motion to the court.
Allow you to omit the conviction from applications for government-issued licenses. You must disclose your conviction and expungement in your license application.
Allow you to omit the conviction from application for government employment. If you are applying for a government job, a job that requires security clearance, or a job that requires a government-issued license, certificate, or permit, you must disclose the conviction and expungement.
Allow you to hold public office, if the conviction prevented you from doing so.
Prevent the conviction from being used to refuse or revoke a government license or permit, such as real estate license, teaching credential, security guard certificate, etc.
Prevent the conviction from being used as a "prior." The dismissed conviction can be used for determining sentencing enhancements in subsequent convictions.
Prevent the conviction from being used by the DMV. Expunged convictions may be used to suspend or revoke driving privileges.
Prevent the conviction from being used by US Citizenship and Immigration Services. In many situations, an expunged conviction may be considered for removal or exclusion purposes.
"

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 9/18/13 4:15pm
Msg #484981

Great news, Peg - good work!!

Now everyone beware the commissioned husband.

Reply by DebraOro/CA on 9/18/13 5:27pm
Msg #485002

Your Kidding !

Your kidding!!!!! "The Commissioned Husband"???????????????????

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 9/18/13 5:36pm
Msg #485004

Not kidding Debra

Msg #480217

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 9/18/13 6:24pm
Msg #485021

NOPE... her husband was commissioned last month...

Apparently, they both took the classes and exam... he obtained a commission. As of today, she is not on the list. No surprise there. There's no way she would be.

Linda posted the message above where I noticed it.

Reply by PegiT_MN on 9/18/13 4:23pm
Msg #484984

I forgot to add this. The DA's office asked that we send in any supporting documentation we have that we were hired by this company like your confirmation sheets.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 9/18/13 4:26pm
Msg #484985

I think I'd also obtain and send, along with the confirmation, a copy of the security instrument first page, signature page and notary page - will show it was that loan on the confirmation that funded ..

Reply by PegiT_MN on 9/18/13 4:28pm
Msg #484986

Good thinking Linda. I think as much information as we can provide to the DA's office.....the better.

Reply by Christy Birchard on 9/19/13 1:08am
Msg #485057

Thank you so much for this information Peg. Great work!

Courtney at ValuAmerica was great when I called and emailed. She got back with me right away. They did pay Amanda for the signing I did on June 5th here on Maui within 30 days.

I imagine ValuAmerica and B of A might be sweating a little since they completely failed to do their due diligence on ANS. It's scary the amount of privileged information ANS has on all the borrowers and notaries, especially with Amanda's conviction for identity related crimes.

Great suggestions and comments on this thread! I've got everything I need in my file, which I don't permanently delete until I've been paid! There can be a plus to faxbacks!

Thanks again for all your hard work Peg and for everyone who has contributed to this topic.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 9/18/13 4:33pm
Msg #484987

For those not sure how to do this... it's pretty easy, but it might cost you a few bucks. You simply go to each county where the deeds or mortgages recorded and asked for a CERTIFIED copy.

At the very minimum, make a list and include recording information so copies can be obtained if you can't do it.

many counties have look-up features online. You may have to go in person or call to get the physical copies or information. Most clerks will tell you what you need over the phone.

All this will do, really is prove that you were the notary and the the transaction recorded, thus proving you did the work. Public records, in this case are a really handy item.

Reply by 101livescan on 9/18/13 5:10pm
Msg #484993

So much for the so-called WITCH HUNT!

Congratulations, Peggy.

Professional, knowledgeable, competent notaries call a spade a spade.

Let all slimy SS's beware this exercise may be employed at any time by notaries across America when large numbers of NSA's are bilked by ill-intentioned SS owners.

Reply by Buddy Young on 9/18/13 5:12pm
Msg #484995

Re: Warning!!!! do not screw with us. n/m

Reply by MW/VA on 9/18/13 8:28pm
Msg #485034

IMO it was only seen by some as witch hunt because

it was about a lot of talk here, and reporting some info about the co.
Peggy took action! That's the difference, IMO.

Reply by 101livescan on 9/18/13 5:53pm
Msg #485008

Not Nice to Mess with the Big Boys

Not notaries, I'm talking about Bank of America, Valuamerica, and Title365 (OCTC). These companies' credibility and integrity, compliance requirements, etc. were all compromised by ANS when Valuamerica accepted her as a signing service for their HARP loans. I can see all of these closed loans being audited by the Bank of America compliance officers as a result. Valuamerica has some exposure here for hiring ANS. All of their borrowers' private and financial information has been compromised by someone with a criminal record. Although expunged, character is everything. And now, how many notaries have not been paid, and how many of these notaries provided their own private DLs and SSN's in order to work for ANS?

I was contacted by ANS a total of six times for signings. I could tell this was a company run by a bunch of novice, unskilled, uneducated young people who did know the first thing about processing legal documents, especially loan documents, or how to deal with notaries and valuable clients of BofA.

With no thought of the consequences of her actions, Amanda fleetingly, flaunted she was the CEO of ANS, then went into hiding when she was exposed. The company is a sole proprietorship with Amanda and Jason as owners, they have a fictitious business name statement, but no business license, and we're all wondering, especially the DA's office, the IRS and FTB, if they have a tax id number, and how is 1099 income being reported to individual notaries who make over $600.

Should be pretty interesting. Running a SS is nothing like selling puppies out of your garage.

One thing Peg did not mention is that Valuamerica cut ANS off on July 10, 2013, due to the number of complaints they received by notaries for nonpayment issues.

In June, the ANS owners and their employee attended a notary class in their area, I know the company well, all three passed with flying colors. However, only Jason actually became commissioned. I would imagine the DA will find it extremely interesting that Jason, who has a seemingly clean record, shares a house with someone who does not, and how will he maintain his seal and journal in a locked and secured place where no one else will have access to it. What was Amanda's intention by taking the class when she knows she cannot pass a bgc, be bonded for any thing, or receive a notary commission and many other special licenses, permits and certifications involving monetary transactions.

The District Attorney stands ready to receive all the notaries documentation that the transactions closed, ANS was paid, but did not bother to pay the notaries.

We all must face the consequences of our actions, good, bad and ugly. Not only is it not wise to mess with the Big Boys, but also this forum's membership.

Very simply the owner of this company defamed her own already blemished reputation and character. No one else did it but her. Purposely, intentionally, knowingly. Let's see Amanda lie her way out of this mire. One lie leads to a bigger lie, and a bigger one, and on and on. Finally, you just can't justify or explain these lies any more.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 9/18/13 6:21pm
Msg #485019

Re: Not Nice to Mess with the Big Boys

It may be expunged now... but for the majority of the time ANS operated she was on active probation for identity theft related crimes.

In a way, those companies have a major issue to address if they didn't catch that. Oh, sure, make sure the end notaries have all their backgrounds cleared... but what of the middlemen? It's really scary.

Reply by sueharke on 9/18/13 7:20pm
Msg #485026

Re: Not Nice to Mess with the Big Boys

Replying as a CPA. This is a reply to the issuance of the 1099's. I have long not trusted a clients total income due to 1099's only. Even if no 1099 is issued, the taxpayer is responsible for reporting the income. I am currently doing an amended tax return for the same reason as I was not told about the non 1099 income when the original tax return was prepared. Then the IRS asked more questions and you can guess the outcome....

Reply by Linda_in_MI on 9/18/13 6:23pm
Msg #485020

Peg,
Can I post this comment, or link to this comment, to one of the notary boards I read on LinkedIn? I posted a very general statement related to this about a week ago, and the replies almost immediately started showing up. Some from notaries who had business dealing with Accurate. There is interest there (if nothing else of who to avoid), and I don't know if those notaries monitor or read NR on a regular basis. If we as notaries support each other in this type of action by communicating problems and concerns--and word gets out that we as a group are coming together---maybe other TC and SS will start to realize that as a group notaries are a force to be reckoned with.

Reply by jba/fl on 9/18/13 6:58pm
Msg #485024

That is a great idea. As a swan song these people may just attempt to sell their services to others in the mortgage community who may not have heard of the previously. This could be a great flashlight in the dark.

Reply by jba/fl on 9/18/13 7:01pm
Msg #485025

Correction: heard of them

Reply by JanetK_CA on 9/18/13 10:14pm
Msg #485050

Great idea, Linda. I can't imagine PegiT would object, although it's decent of you to ask. I think the more widely this information can be disseminated, the better.

Pegi, major kudos to you for taking action on this! Score one for our side!! You've done a huge service not only to the notary community, but to the public at large - at least those involved with anything related to notary services. I'll be looking forward to justice being done!

It just goes to show that one person *can* make a difference! Of course, the situation with this company was pretty flagrant. Unfortunately, there are many others who are "just" incompetent, unreliable, made poor decisions, didn't plan sufficiently, etc., and I don't doubt there are a few more who intentionally set out to defraud. (Thankfully, I've been pretty fortunate in managing to avoid them in recent years.)

Reply by MW/VA on 9/18/13 8:22pm
Msg #485032

Great work, Pegi. ;-) It takes one person willing to get

action started. I do hope the many notaries involved will join the effort.

Reply by Christine/OK on 9/19/13 6:31am
Msg #485062

LIKE!! :D n/m

Reply by Kim Case on 9/18/13 8:50pm
Msg #485038

Please respond with the contact information for ValuAmerica. I am owed $ and wish to let them know. I will also complete the complaint form at the District Attorney website. Thank you!

Reply by PegiT_MN on 9/18/13 9:17pm
Msg #485042

The telephone number for ValuAmerica is 1-800-646-8258. You can ask for Courtney. You can also e mail her at [e-mail address] Courtney told me it was fine to give out her contact number. She will be keeping a list to pass on to the Riverside California District Attorney's office.

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 9/18/13 9:53pm
Msg #485047

Any comments, Docgirl?

Would love to hear the "other side," which you are so good at.

Reply by Cheryl_NV on 9/26/13 1:29pm
Msg #486101

Ditto

Reply by 101livescan on 9/18/13 11:25pm
Msg #485053

I'd like to take this opportunity to RATE THE NOTARY PEG!

In fact all this began last March, when Amanda came on this forum and suggested LET'S RATE THE NOTARIES.

Peg, I rate you with ten stars for performance above and beyond the call of duty on behalf of all unpaid notaries who toiled for Accurate, who heretofore only came to the forum to whine and cry about non payment. You were the only one who took the challenge and saw a means to recapture these losses and hopefully get notaries paid, and tell us how to stop this criminal activity in our industry.

My hat is off to you. This should send a loud and clear signal to other borderline SS operations who might be thinking of stiffing notaries.

At least we can stop the bleeding (hearts, that is).

I and others on this board I'm sure, salute you for a job well done. It is a pleasure to have you as a fellow NSA. You rock! girlfriend.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 9/19/13 8:01am
Msg #485073

Hope the DA freezes all their bank accounts and

orders an immediate audit of their books - meager though they probably are. I also hope the feds get involved (IRS) and order an audit.

I hear Leavenworth is pretty this time of year.

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 9/19/13 10:41am
Msg #485095

Great job, Peg!

I never worked for Amanda or her company, but we are all better off for your efforts. Thank you!

Reply by D_Notary/IL on 9/19/13 11:56am
Msg #485122

Re: Great job, Peg!

WOW! Just read entire thread. Truly admirable work Peg! Thanks you for everything you've done. Love how tough and united us NR peeps can be You guys are great. Makes me motivated to add the infamous Shannan Smoot to the criminal list! Anyone know what I mean?

Reply by D Pinon on 10/2/13 1:35pm
Msg #486756

Thanks for the info!