WARNING - FRAUD ALERT
We have been made aware of an ongoing scam targeting notaries. A person using the name “Cynthia Simmons” is reaching out to notaries with a request for a Notary Signing. After establishing communication, “Cynthia” claims she will connect the notary with a well-established title company.
Shortly after, the notary receives an email from a supposed representative of the title company. However, this individual is an imposter using an email address that appears legitimate but is slightly different from an actual email address from the legitimate title company. As an example, the email may end in .us instead of .com.
Red Flags to Watch For:
“Cynthia Simmons” becomes unreachable after initial contact.
The title company email domain is incorrect (e.g., “.us” instead of “.com”).
They request copies of your private information (such as your notary credentials or drivers license).
Once information is shared, the phone numbers are disconnected, and emails become undeliverable.
They may change names and scenarios slightly to further perpetuating their fraud.
Protect Yourself:
Verify all title company contacts independently. Look up their official phone number and email through trusted sources.
Double-check email domains carefully before sharing any sensitive information.
Do not send any private documents unless you have confirmed the legitimacy of the request.
Don’t feel pressured to provide personal information if you are unsure you are speaking to a legitimate representative.
Do post your story in our new forum category. “The Darker Side - Protecting Yourself from Fraud”. Please remember that the forums are visible to the public and can be viewed by anyone. We ask that you keep your story professional and do not personally attack anyone.
Report fraudulent activity to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): You can file a complaint at ic3.gov. And the Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Report fraud at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
If you receive a request fitting this description, or a similar situation, please do your due diligence to protect yourself.
Excellent advice that applies to every signing request a notary receives from unknown/untested hiring companies, not just from the “Cynthia Simmons” scammers of the world. Thank you for sharing.
