Have you ever had a closing where the signer
was talking with you and
slowly put their phone to their face…
Oh boy
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You have the right to not be photographed; you have to be assertive and aware quickly enough. Once it’s done, it’s done. Honestly, I would take a photo of them if they did that and call it a day. It was rude of them not to ask if it was ok.
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Thanks, I will definately be on the lookout now
Haven’t experienced it blatantly but I’m sure someone somewhere has sneaked and photographed me without permission. We’re officers of the state, commissioned to serve the public. If you’re in a borrower’s home or in public spaces, there’s NO expectation of privacy. Only way to avoid being photographed without your permission is to wear a disguise, a ski mask, or stay home.
With that said, if a borrower demanded to see my ID, that’s a emphatic NO. But I’d offer the borrower an option they’re sure to refuse. I’d offer to call the police and have them come to the borrower’s home and the officer can see my ID and run my license plate. I’m willing to do that but NO, a borrower won’t be seeing my ID.
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Thanks for that reality check. I really like the bit about calling the police
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I don’t think I’ve ever been photographed. I was trained to provide ID if requested. I always have it on hand. I hand out business cards a lot. I personally think it’s acceptable for a signer to request ID, the LSA training I took from NNA said we should always hand it over if asked. I just don’t let people take pictures of my ID. But to see it, I’m not sure what the big invasion is there. JMO.
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I did a loan signing at B’s lawyer’s office & lawyer asked to see my ID. Handed him my DL, he made some notes. After signing, I had to drop docs before heading home. Upon arriving home, was quite startled to see B in his car in front of my home. I pulled into my driveway and exited car while B is beckoning me to approach his car. Broad daylight–what can happen? So I walk over to him asking ‘what do you need?’ He, rather accusingly, says “You left lawyer’s office before I did, but I got to your home before you did. What are you trying to pull? Give me the papers I signed!” Can’t. Don’t have them. Reason you got here before I did is I had to make a side trip to drop Lender’s docs at FedEx. Now nothing bad happened, but, that’s the last time I ever provided ID.
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I understand the instinct - people want to feel safe letting a stranger into their home. If a borrower is genuinely concerned about their safety and who I am, I’ll offer to call the police department and have an officer come to their home, verify my ID, and confirm I’m exactly who I say I am. If a peace officer standing in front of them can’t assure them I’m harmless, I don’t know what will. I’m not an intruder in their home, I was hired to facilitate their loan signing so seeing their ID is a requirement of my duties as a notary public. Them seeing mine would be a courtesy at best, and one I’m not willing to do. In nearly 19 years (next month) no one has ever asked to see my ID. I’ll show a peace officer my ID and no one else.
that’s crazy that the man came to your home. These people are wack jobs
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I agree. The signer also needs to understand that the title company would not take the legal risk of hiring a notary that has not been properly vetted.
We are not “look on google and hope for the best” notaries.
We work with CORPORATE CLIENTS (signing services, lenders, title companies etc)
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That’s crazy! I would have called the police. NNA says to show an ID when arriving. I never have nor have been asked but I wouldn’t let them touch it, copy or photograph it. That’s just wild to follow you home.
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I’m not sure what the big deal is about it, but I certainly wouldn’t appreciate someone doing that without asking first. I don’t understand why they would want a picture of me unless it was to somehow prove at a later date that I was there (i.e. a court case).
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He didn’t follow me home. He arrived at my home before I did because the lawyer gave him my address that lawyer copied when I showed lawyer my ID.
I don’t know maybe some people are crazy Maybe they think it’s a compliment or something
I highly doubt that it’s a compliment. I guess some people just like to document everything.
I haven’t had a picture taken yet - but I have noticed inside video security cameras at some signer’s homes.
I am reminded to smile for the camera and make sure I don’t pick me nose! LOL
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I have not had that experience. Considering there are so many cameras out there, including the Ring doorbell or similar, I am already caught on camera, so it’s not that big of a deal, to me. Should this happen, I’d probably joke about it and say hey, let’s take a better picture with you and I. Let me get my camera, too.
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Most have the choice to go into title to sign, they are choosing to have us come to their homes. I like the title companies that share the notaries info and photo with the signers prior to the appointments so they know what we look like and what to expect.
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Actually, we are supposed to provide ID if requested… Signers have the right to know who they are dealing with in their home, as much as you do for the companies we work for.
The signer can always make a request - I’m not depriving them of their right to request something. It’s how I choose to answer that request that will be different than what they may expect or want and my answer to their request is only a uniformed police officer will see my ID - I’ll be happy to call them via the non-emergency dispatch phone number.