In the past few days I have received 2 separate emails with almost identical wording. One from a Noah Gallego and another from Debra Rosenthal. I have pasted them here. Be cautious. I beleive they are scammers
| On May 3, 2026, at 2:51 PM, Noah Gallego | consultleague@xxxxx.■■■|
|----| wrote: |
|----|
| |
Hello,
I hope this email finds you well, I am seeking a notary officer to assist with notarizing documents required for my tax filing.
Please let me know your availability, fees, and any requirements I should prepare in advance.
Thank you, and I look forward to your response.
Noah Gallego
Debra Rosenthal <rosenthaldebra6@>xxxxx.■■■
to me
I hope you’re doing well, I am seeking a notary officer to assist with notarizing documents required for my tax filing. Please let me know your availability, fees, and any requirements I should prepare in advance.
Thank you, and I look forward to your response
After 25 years in this business, I’ve yet to have a scammer say “oh, by the way, I’m a scammer.” When I get 2 identical emails from 2 different individuals, I rely on my gut and my experience. But if you get the emails, do whatever you want. Good luck!
The fact that they both just signed a name with no contact information or company affiliation in their signature, along with almost exact wording, I’m inclined to believe this may be a scam. I would not dismiss it as legit
Sometimes in this business you have to follow your gut, especially if past experience gives you the education to follow your gut. I trust my gut - and also don’t believe in coincidence
My not doing loan signings has no bearing on any of this and I really wish you’d stop throwing that out there. The e-mail was for notarizations regarding tax filings.
Scam emails are out there on all subjects…and sometimes the gut pays off.
I don’t always throw it out there. The point is not all vague emails are scams. And insisting they are could be misleading to notaries who you believe should trust other people’s gut. The better advice is do your due diligence on emails that raise question marks and proceed with caution, and don’t click on unknown links in email from unknown senders.
I think, based on my experience and personal moxie, it is unlikely that a legitimate consulting firm would send out unsolicited emails to notaries they’ve never met or done business with asking for services of the nature described in the offer. Taxes are quite a private matter and bringing in an unvetted notary to notarize what (?) kind of documents seems unprofessional in my view. OF COURSE, I could be wrong, but if it was me getting that email, I’d dump it and move on. I’m not that desperate for business, but, I know some are. I agree with LindaH, follow your gut and/or do your diligence.
For sure a copy/paste lead scam or spam campaign. They might send a “tax document” attachment or link that installs malware or tries to steal your passwords.They could use your name, commission info, seal image, or business details to make fake notarizations look more legitimate.Sometimes scammers mass-email service providers to see who replies. If you respond, they know your email is active and you may get more scam attempts. I could go on and on lol.
I am writing to address your recent comments regarding the notice I posted to the notary community.
With 25 years of experience in this industry, I issued that warning to advise colleagues to “be cautious” of potential scams. It appears you have selectively interpreted my words to challenge the validity of the notice. Your comments essentially defend the actions of potential scammers, which is concerning in a field where protecting sensitive information is paramount.
Maintaining a high level of vigilance is essential to our profession, and dismissing these risks can lead to the compromise of personal data. Based on your perspective on this matter, personally, I would be concerned entrusting you with sensitive information.
I got the same email with a different name attached. It seemed suspicious with no phone number and location. They’re not a past client of mine. I searched the email address and nothing turns up.
So I’m going with my gut and calling it a scam. My gut told me to check Notary Cafe and here we are..same email different sender.
Hello,
I hope you’re doing well, I am seeking a notarial officer to assist with notarizing documents required for my tax filing. Please let me know your availability, fees, and any requirements I should prepare in advance.
Good day. I received a similar email from a similar name “Noah Gellego” email address "bricklevy8@xxxx. Did get a bunch of responses…
Noah Gellego <bricklevy8@>xxxx
May 8, 2026, 1:29 PM (20 hours ago)
to me
Hello,
I am currently preparing my taxes and would appreciate your assistance with a few official notarizations. Could you please inform me of your current appointment availability and standard rates for notarization services?
Additionally, please advise if there are any specific documents, identification, or other materials I should prepare in advance.
Thank you for your assistance. I eagerly anticipate your response.
The “client” appears to be in the Army, or at least he was in the Army or purports to be so. I, too was a Combat Engineer (MOS = Military Occupation Specialty 12B Combat Engr.). I am suspect of his query because it is not usual for one in the military to indicate their functional role. Rather, they simply indicate their rank and branch of service. Be careful if/as you proceed. Something’s up me fears.
It’s a scam. They are targeting notaries and sending out phishing links. They also attempt to get notaries to join a zoom call to collect NPI. It’s been talked about extensively in the Facebook groups. Surprised it took this long to end up on here.
You may want to do some research on what to look for with suspicious emails and texts because these emails scream scammer and if you think they don’t you may benefit from some articles describing tell tale signs of a scam.
Also, if anyone else has received this email and is still second guessing whether it’s a scam. Hover over (don’t click) the links and you will see that it does not match the email sender or link they claim. They are changing the name of the link to make it seem like it’s legit when it isn’t. That email address isn’t the real email address. At least it wasn’t when I checked it in the email I received.
@Bobby-CA I agree. To put Military info in was what started my suspicion. I posted in here to alert others what I got. You are right that many identify their branch of service, not information that can be used to possibly create i.d. theft. I played along until the zoom call request to see what was going on. I provided info only that my state requires me to identify. Then I blocked him.
I got the same email(s) last week. Fortunately, I’ve had a lot of annual phishing training, but it’s eay to get get caught off guard.
I’ve had one ask for a wedding officiant as well
Stay vigilant
DEBRA SEA<lifepersonal4me@>xxxxx
*I hope you’re doing well, I am seeking a notarial officer to assist with notarizing documents required for my tax filing. Please let me know your availability, fees, and any requirements I should prepare in advance.
Why proceed if even a hint of a scam? We are not that desperate we have to accept everything, work smarter not harder! Don’t do something that down the line you will get called into question and even make you liable. No thanks!
