Posted by desktopfull on 9/6/13 12:21pm
Msg #483454

What do you think about this request?

Do you want your picture being emailed all over the internet to complete strangers? Do you want your photo available for anyone to do a photoshop alteration and repost at any website? Got this from an email sent today from a SS, I removed their email address.

"BORROWERS want to know their notary. To ease the process, borrowers are now requesting a picture of their notary prior to closing so that they know who to expect at the front door or Starbucks bistro table. We LOVE this idea! Anything that makes a borrower more comfortable with our piece of the process is okay in our book. Please forward a reasonably sized, professional looking photo to ________ at your earliest convenience so we can update your profile. If you ask nice, we will send you a picture of us too."

Reply by Lee/AR on 9/6/13 12:31pm
Msg #483459

Same as prior post on co. Eh~~

C'mon... do they know what the furnace/a-c/refrigerator/dishwasher, etc, etc, repair guy looks like?
That's just an excuse for them to be able to discriminate for 'whatever' reason.

Reply by anotary4all on 9/6/13 12:59pm
Msg #483467

Re: Same as prior post on co. Eh~~

I agree...this could be used as a form of different types of discrimination and I'm not happy about it. I'm also not happy about it. Really, I've had no problem meeting anyone in all of the near 10 years I've been doing this. I've only had one person, out of years of clients, ask me for ID.

Reply by Notarysigner on 9/6/13 1:13pm
Msg #483472

And what about this???

>>>> If you ask nice, we will send you a picture of us too." <<<<<

Where is their picture?? Why do we have to ask "nicely".

I have NEVER had a problem in seven years, I honestly believe people/borrowers here where I am could care less about who brings the Docs, they are so fed up with the entire process they just want to get it done!

DO NOT GIVE OUT THERE NAME because I will let them have it! Honestly!!!!!!!!!!

Reply by CarolF/NC on 9/6/13 3:48pm
Msg #483490

DOC pros nationwide have at them:) n/m

Reply by Notarysigner on 9/6/13 4:09pm
Msg #483495

Re: DOC pros nationwide have at them:)

Thanks CAROL....no wonder, with those mixed reviews I would have never worked for them in the first place!

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 9/6/13 12:32pm
Msg #483460

I have no problem giving companies a photo of myself. We're professionals... we should have at least 1-2 professional looking photos of us out there. Statistics prove that people who use their photos are more trusted and get more business.

It's true, though... as a matter of safety, many people ask for a photo (or description) of the person coming to their home so they don't just let any old stranger in the door. Either that, or they ask to check a company badge or credentials.

Shoot, I do this all the time. Our house has a power pole in the back corner and there's an easement to allow them on the property. However, they are always supposed to come to the door first and check in. When they do, I always ask for the work ID. I also ask to see work ID for the cable guy and any other repair or service person in my home.

As notaries, we generally don't have a state issued ID aside from our commission certificates. So sending a photo, to me, is really no big deal.

Reply by HisHughness on 9/6/13 12:53pm
Msg #483465

Marian, this is one of the saner posts I've seen here

***We're professionals... we should have at least 1-2 professional looking photos of us out there.***

Sometimes, I am reminded by the posts on here of the celebrity who courts attention of every sort, then complains about the paparazzi. We are in business, folks. Unless you propose to conduct all of your business in your bedroom closet in the dark and behind locked doors, you are going to encounter all kinds of exposures; it's a part of being in business. In fact, in today's electronically wired world, it's a part of life.

You can swim upstream if you wish; I don't think you will get very far. Or, you can, as Marian so pungently puts it, turn the flow to your advantage.

Myself, I'm not sure that a photo of me would be a selling point, except maybe for a pest exterminator.

Reply by Bear900/CA on 9/6/13 1:04pm
Msg #483468

Those J. Edgar Hoover photos will getcha everytime! ;-)

Kidding of course!

My photo is all over the net with my whole life story attached. Internet paparazzi hard at work!

On NR too, I'm just to lazy to do whatever it takes to make myself more public, or I have better and funner things to do.

Reply by Darlin_AL on 9/6/13 3:53pm
Msg #483491

ditto Marian & Hughness n/m

Reply by jba/fl on 9/6/13 12:38pm
Msg #483463

Send them a picture of Cheryl Tiegs and be done with it. n/m

Reply by Bear900/CA on 9/6/13 12:41pm
Msg #483464

Or ask them what THEY are wearing. n/m

Reply by jba/fl on 9/6/13 1:12pm
Msg #483470

Re: Or ask them what THEY are wearing.

If I am meeting someone in a hotel lobby or other public place, I have a shirt just for that purpose: solid color, bright pink - makes me noticeable and highly visible. One of my 'uniforms'.

Reply by Notarysigner on 9/6/13 1:17pm
Msg #483475

Re: Or ask them what THEY are wearing. Ditto

I tell them my usuall 6'4" biscuit short of 300 lbs....They know who I am when I arrive.

Reply by Les_CO on 9/6/13 3:17pm
Msg #483487

Re: Or ask them what THEY are wearing. Ditto

!

Reply by ToniK on 9/6/13 1:14pm
Msg #483473

The BO can google me. Im on linkedin...its not hard to find my picture...oh wait there is another person in the same state as me with my EXACT same name. How odd is that? My name is not common either.

Reply by bagger on 9/6/13 4:09pm
Msg #483496

Honestly, I see nothing wrong with this request.

You are running a business that requires dropping in on people's homes.
These people don't know you from Adam or Eve, as the case may be.
With all of the identity theft, internet theft and scams, etc. going on today, the homeowner cannot be too careful.
Utility companies issue photo ID's to their employees so homeowners can feel safe when the gas company shows up and says there is a problem in your area, we are checking for leaks, or whatever.
When ppl ask for my ID, I show it to them gladly, I also add, if I am not who I say I am, how did I get all of these documents. I do whatever I can to put them at ease, give them my card, show my DL and commission.

Reply by Notarysigner on 9/6/13 5:24pm
Msg #483517

Re: Honestly, I see nothing wrong with this request.

This different Bagger. What they want is you ID in advance. I don't mind identifying who I am once I get there.

reminder? Do you remember the post I made about the guy I had a signing scheduled with(didn't happen) who took my ID then dialed 911 and asked if they knew anything about me? He was 51/50

Reply by Bee_CA on 9/6/13 4:09pm
Msg #483497

When the Safelite repair people come to your home/office to repair or replace your windshield, they send an email with the name and photo of the service person that will be coming. I think it's a good idea.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 9/6/13 4:12pm
Msg #483499

It's very possible some companies are trying to

head off the notaries subcontracting out the work. With a photo they can send it to borrowers and say "is this who showed up?" I sincerely doubt borrowers are asking for pics in advance.

Reply by HSH/WA on 9/6/13 4:51pm
Msg #483510

Re: Being an old fart I don't like sending

a picture. The BO may cancel on the hopes of getting something better.

Reply by Notarysigner on 9/6/13 5:28pm
Msg #483518

Re: It's very possible some companies are trying to

That is a good point but the way you posted this I would read, "go ahead and do the signing, then let us know if this was the person who did it.

I would like to see something like, "if anyone shows up besides the person in the photo, call us". I could understand that, if it's what you meant!

Reply by LKT/CA on 9/7/13 11:29am
Msg #483599

No photo needed to know a subcontractor

If it's "confirmed" that Jane E. Doe is the notary who accepted and will complete the signing, then that's the signature and seal they should see on the notarial certs. If they see any name and seal other than Jane E. Doe on the notarial certs, then they'll know the signing was subcontracted.

Reply by Robert522TX on 9/6/13 5:06pm
Msg #483513

By the same token, notaries want to know what we are up against.
Does your house stink?
Will there be somewhere to sit?
Barking, biting, clawing, emotionally challenged animals to dodge?
Does your spouse have an attitude and doesn't want to participate in life today?
Do you have your address posted on your residence, or am I just supposed to guess, or go house to house until I hit bingo?
Do you have the appropriate ID, or did it get stolen at the casino yesterday?
Did the loan officer tell you that you owe money, and how much?
Do you wear so much cologne that I won't be able to breath?
If I'm not cute enough, or not what you're in the mood for, will I be replaced at the last minute?
....and the list could go on and on and on and on....

Reply by bagger on 9/6/13 5:15pm
Msg #483514

OH Bull poopy

All of that crap comes with the territory!
Some of you people have NEVER had to deal with the public obviously.

Reply by desktopfull on 9/6/13 6:18pm
Msg #483529

Re: OH Bull poopy

Sorry Bagger, but going to a home that is infested with "bedbugs" isn't part of the territory. That was my adventure into mortgage closing land this afternoon. Advance notice should be given!

Reply by Robert522TX on 9/6/13 8:04pm
Msg #483552

Re: OH Bull poopy

Actually, I have dealt with the public for over 4 decades, and I'm not surprised or shocked by much.
My point is that if they a picture of me to see if I'm someone they will let in their house, let's make sure they have an appropriate area set up to sign the papers in without distractions or drama.
....Just sayin'

Reply by Darlin_AL on 9/6/13 7:53pm
Msg #483546

Robert in TX --exactly. n/m

Reply by LKT/CA on 9/6/13 6:42pm
Msg #483532

Not my photo, not my ID, just the POLICE!

Unwilling to provide a photo (and I'm not ugly), unwilling to show borrower my ID but VERY WILLING to give ID to the police. So, the borrower is free to call the police and have an officer come to their home <while the nosy busybody neighbors peek through the blinds and wonder why the police are there...heeheehee>. I'll hand the officer my ID and throw in the suggestion that the officer can also run my vehicle tags.

Or, we can all sign docs at McDonalds or Starbucks. But NO...the hiring party, nor the borrowers get my photo or ID. Those that choose to provide their photos, fine. But those that don't, won't.