Overall I agree with JanetK_CA's post. I have a few comments on one of her statements:
" I never see any documentation or explanation of how RON is supposedly more secure, other than vague references, just numerous statements that it is."
RON requires a video be stored. I think this really would make some bad guys think twice, and give people who were impersonated a good chance to get the transaction invalidated. Much the same could be said about getting thumbprints in journals, but many states don't require that.
RON sometimes requires credential analysis. The companies that do that don't explain exactly how it works, but I imagine it similar to the printed ID guides available on Notary Rotary and other sites. It tells whoever, or whatever, is checking the ID what the ID is supposed to look like for whichever state issued it, on the date it was issued.
RON sometimes requires ID proofing, which gathers up financial details and asks the signer multiple-choice questions about them. I imagine that would screen out quite a few imposters, although sometimes the real signer isn't able to answer the questions; sometimes the "answers" are inaccurate.
The state's strategy toward notarization seems to be to have lots of notaries, who don't charge much, and the state doesn't trust them too much. If the state really wanted secure notarizations, they'd beef up the training and background checks by a lot, and then give notaries access to electronic systems similar to what DMV clerks have access to, while checking IDs. |
