This post is for each and every one of the Certified Notary Signing Agents out there in Notary-land. It is very easy to get scammed in our business.
There are many assignments out there for us to partake of, however, if you aren’t choosy and don’t have certain methods on vetting companies, then you can be taken.
My advice? Watch out!
During my Notary Public Signing Agent Seminars, I tell current and potential Notaries to be aware of potential threats to their business, one of them includes companies that aren’t on the up and up. They seek out notaries because they feel it is easy to compromise their secure nature by using it against them.
I provide many methods of advice, however, here are my main two when it comes to Signing Services providing jobs:
1) Thoroughly vet a company before agreeing to work with them.
There are several resources out there on the World Wide Web that will allow anyone to look up information on a company. The Better Business Bureau is one resource. Word-of-Mouth is one. There are multiple sites out there that provide information on various companies that seek our assistance. Many of these sites offer a grading scale for the companies as well.
2) Never agree to perform work via an initial email.
I tend to not work with a company unless I have first, AT LEAST received a phone call from someone from the company. There is just something really shady about receiving an email about a very delicate signing, as opposed to receiving a phone call for it. Over the years, I’ve received piggy-back calls for some of the same signers I’ve dealt with in the past from predatory lenders that were up to no good in their dealings.
So, fellow Notaries Public, while you’re out there trying to make a $1 out of $ .15, don’t sell yourself short.
DO YOUR RESEARCH!
Sincerely,
Sonita M. Leak, GreenvilleNotary Owner
Your Notary Public for the State of South Carolina