Notaries Urged To Avoid Work From ‘Suspicious’ Mortgage Rescue Firms
November 2, 2009
Attorneys general across the nation are advising Notaries to avoid working for “suspicious” companies offering loan modification or rescue services for a fee. Notaries are increasingly being courted by unscrupulous firms to perform improper and even outright illegal acts related to “mortgage rescue,” “foreclosure relief” and “loan modification;” but these companies have come under intense scrutiny by federal and state authorities for driving a nationwide spike in fraud. .. Read More

Odd Requests Raise Suspicions
November 2, 2009
Paul Mees of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, had been a Notary just a few months when he received a call from a loan modification company offering him work. He thought it was odd when the company said it didn’t want him to notarize anything. Instead, the company’s representative wanted him to deliver some documents for the customer to sign and collect more than $2,000 in fees... Read More

Is Your Assignment Coming From A Legitimate Firm?
November 2, 2009
With so many loan modification companies advertising their services, it can seem a daunting task to tell the legitimate from the unscrupulous. State and federal officials suggest a few guidelines to help you sort it out:.. Read More

'Red Flag Rules' Require A 'New Standard Of Care'
November 2, 2009
Adhering to the Notary’s “New Standard of Care” has become more vital than ever as the federal government prepares to launch its long awaited “Red Flags Rules,” which hold certain industries accountable for verifying identities and protecting consumer data to prevent fraud, or face stiff fines and other penalties for violations... Read More

Guest Column: New Guidelines Enhance Service Of Notaries
November 2, 2009
Notaries Public play a vital role in preventing fraud and protecting the integrity of countless daily transactions involving government agencies, businesses and the general public. That is why Governor Donald L. Carcieri and I established a new set of official guidelines for Rhode Island’s Notaries Public... Read More

Employers May Be Liable for the Misconduct Of Their Notaries
November 2, 2009
A recent decision by the Illinois Appellate Court might have national implications for employers who have employees acting as Notaries on their behalf. In Vancura v. Katris, the key issue was whether Kinko’s was directly liable for damages resulting from its Notary employee’s notarization of a forged signature on a mortgage assignment. The court had to decide whether Kinko’s was negligent in preventing the Notary employee’s misconduct... Read More

Governor Vetoes Controversial ‘Matricula Consular’ Legislation
November 2, 2009
CALIFORNIA — Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed a controversial bill that would have allowed the state’s Notaries to accept the Mexican matricula consular ID card as satisfactory evidence of identity. The move prevents statutory recognition of an identification document that a number of state and federal officials have branded as untrustworthy... Read More

'Standard Of Care' Covers Unexpected Circumstances
November 2, 2009
While every state’s Notary laws include some best practices, they can’t anticipate every circumstance that a Notary may face, which is exactly what necessitates a notarial “standard of care” that goes beyond state requirements... Read More

Get Ready For Conference 2010 In America’s ‘Second City’
November 2, 2009
Get ready for a week of fun, networking and Notary learning at the Notary Event of the Year — the 32nd Annual National Notary Association Conference, July 14–17, at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois... Read More

A Billion Dollar Fraud: What Would You Do?
November 2, 2009
It is one of the principles of Notary ethics and best practices that no legitimate request should be refused. But what happens when the notarization request itself is legal, but the Notary knows the client is trying to pull a fast one? That’s the dilemma an Albuquerque, New Mexico, Notary faced when his boss asked him to notarize a statement swearing that the five, $1 billion dollar bills he was using to secure a line of credit were legitimate. .. Read More

NNA’s Eagle Honored As A ‘Chief Financial Officer Of The Year’
November 2, 2009
Jane Eagle, the National Notary Association’s Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has been named a 2009 “Chief Financial Officer of the Year” by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal. She was honored by more than 500 business professionals at a luncheon at the Warner Center Marriott Hotel in Woodland Hills, California last month... Read More

Award-Winning County Clerk Says Notaries Help Her Fight Fraud
November 2, 2009
TEXAS — Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir’s ID theft-prevention efforts earned her recognition as America’s “Public Official of the Year” for 2009 — and she says she learned a lot about stopping fraud from local Notaries.Read More

Membership Benefits Notice
November 2, 2009
Effective November 1, 2009, Personal Identity Theft Insurance will no longer be included with new National Notary Association Memberships. Any membership term in effect before November 1, 2009, will retain the benefit for the duration of their current membership. NNA Membership benefits are subject to change without notice... Read More

Recorders, Notaries Seek Stopgap Measures For Deed Fraud
October 2, 2009
Deed fraud is on the rise across the country, and county recorders are scrambling to find cost-effective ways to circumvent the troubling new flavor-of-the-month fraud that is undermining the viability of the land recording system. The problem is particularly challenging for title agents tasked with ferreting out fraudulent deeds, and their failure to do so can result in significant claims and court challenges... Read More

Notary Foundation Endows Scholarship At Maryland College
October 1, 2009
MARYLAND — The National Notary Foundation has awarded Prince George’s Community College a scholarship endowment to benefit its Notary education program in the name of the National Notary Association’s 2009 Notary of the Year Elaine Wright... Read More

Ramstein Air Force Base Notary Honored For Her Professional Excellence
October 1, 2009
Professional excellence is one of the most important qualities for Notaries. The U.S. Air Force recognized that fact when it honored a California Notary stationed at Ramstein Air Base in Germany as the service’s outstanding paralegal of the year... Read More

ABA Launches Site To Fight ‘Notario’ Fraud
October 1, 2009
In an effort to fight “Notario” fraud, the American Bar Association Commission on Immigration has launched a Web site called fightnotariofraud.com where victims and others who come across them can find information and help. “Notario” fraud — pretending to be a foreign-language ‘Notary’ or ‘immigration consultant’ to scam immigrants seeking legal help — is a crime. .. Read More

Avoid Commission Renewal Delays By Starting Process Early
October 1, 2009
Between increased red tape and cutbacks affecting the efficiency of state agencies across the nation, it takes a lot more time and effort to renew your Notary commission than it used to. .. Read More

Mauritius Aims To Join International Notary Organization
October 1, 2009
MAURITIUS — Recognizing the global importance of Notaries, the Parliament in this African island nation is proposing a new code of professional notarial standards and joining the International Union of Notaries (UINL). .. Read More

Three New ID Formats Notaries May Encounter
October 1, 2009
From computer chips and laser etching to new shapes and holographic images, government-issued IDs are undergoing makeovers. The changes are part of a growing movement to make IDs more difficult to fake or alter. Some of the more prevalent changes include: .. Read More

Industries Turn To Certification To Restore Consumer Trust
October 1, 2009
One of the biggest casualties of the economic crisis has been consumer confidence. So certain industries are turning to professional certification programs to help rebuild public trust. .. Read More

What Your Employer Needs To Know
October 1, 2009
Notaries have a crucial responsibility to protect the public, their employers and themselves through performing trusted and sound notarizations. But in light of recent court rulings, legislation and regulatory initiatives, a Notary’s employer can also be held liable if their staff Notaries don’t follow professional standards of care when performing notarizations. State officials and the general public increasingly expect employers to make sure that their Notary-employees are well trained, properly supervised and follow best practices. As a result, Notaries now have an obligation to help their employers understand to the importance of maintaining the highest notarial standards in the office. .. Read More

Federal Judge Pioneers Electronic Court Orders With Notary's Help
October 1, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Opening the door for completely electronic transactions in the federal court system, U.S. Magistrate Judge John M. Facciola became the first federal jurist to use an electronic digital credential to sign judicial orders from his court. But before this judge could begin using his electronic credential, the process required a Notary to verify his identity... Read More

Two 'Simple Practices' Can Minimize Risk Of Liability
October 1, 2009
If you’re not taking steps to protect yourself from liability, you’re making a big mistake. The recent landmark court decision Vancura v. Katris set the standard for Notaries and regulators around the country by clearly asserting that merely following state law is not enough to avoid negligence. Because of the ruling, Notaries and their employers now can be held to a higher legal standard... Read More

Facial Technology Is A Powerful Tool Against Identity Theft
September 8, 2009
When Thomas Parkin walked into the Brooklyn office of the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), no one batted an eye — even though he was wearing a wig and a dress and gave his dead mother’s name in order to renew her driver’s license. If the DMV office had facial recognition technology to compare photos, then his ruse would have been uncovered then and there. It would take federal authorities several more months to catch up with Parkin, 49, who had been impersonating his dead mother for at least six years in order to collect her Social Security and housing benefits... Read More

Officials must ‘Swear’ Before A Notary That They Weren’t Police Spies
September 3, 2009
MACEDONIA — Notaries in this former province of communist Yugoslavia have been tasked with administering oaths to all members of the government and civil service — as well as those in key private positions — as part of a new law designed to root out former police spies and officials who could undermine democratic institutions. Specifically, the identified officials have to “swear” before a Notary that they were neither members of, nor informants, for the now-defunct secret police. Those caught lying about their affiliations could face a stiff prison sentence... Read More

Notaries Help Homeowners Deal With Taxing Situations
September 3, 2009
OHIO — With real estate values dropping around the nation, Notaries are lending a helping hand to homeowners seeking to lower their property taxes and bring them in line with the true value of their homes... Read More

Bogus IDs From Real Agencies Undermine Trust In Identity Documents
September 3, 2009
Notaries rely on the credibility of state-issued identity documents to identify signers and guard against fraud, and state agencies have gone to great lengths to make it harder to fake their IDs. But a raft of recent cases suggest that peddlers of fake identities are obtaining fraudulent IDs from official government sources, such as motor vehicle departments, making it harder to tell the difference between a fake and the real thing... Read More

State Toughens Stance On Fake Documents
August 18, 2009
TENNESSEE — Penalties for notarizing phony documents may be going up in the Volunteer State in response to a case of real estate theft... Read More

Advocacy In Action For Notable Notary Who Makes A Difference
August 18, 2009
COLORADO — Carol Salter didn’t hesitate when Mike Shea of the Colorado Secretary of State’s office contacted her to get input on the state’s Notary law, which was due to expire in July 2009... Read More

Notary Who Forged For State Senator Resigns
August 18, 2009
CONNECTICUT — A New Haven Notary lost her commission for falsifying then notarizing signatures on campaign documents for a veteran state senator... Read More

Man With No Identity Or Memory Needs Help
August 18, 2009
GEORGIA — A case like Benjamin Kyle’s poses special challenges to a Notary. Kyle has no official identity, since he can’t remember who he is, and he has no ID card to present as evidence of who he is... Read More

Official Pays The Price For Misleading The Public
August 18, 2009
MASSACHUSETTS — A member of the state board that approves Notary appointments has been fined $8,000 for falsifying an endorsement from Governor Deval Patrick... Read More

Appellate Court Again Holds Notary And Employer To Higher Standards
August 18, 2009
A Notary accused of skirting identity requirements has ignited a legal battle between one of the world’s largest banks — Bank of America — and a southern Illinois man who claims the improper notarization cost him more than $64,000. And an Illinois Appellate Court, ruling on the side of professional standards of practice to protect the public, has cleared the way for the victim to sue for damages... Read More

Notaries Directly Impacted By ‘PASS ID Act’
August 18, 2009
In a move that will make IDs more trustworthy for Notaries who rely on them, the Obama administration is moving forward with plans to establish a uniform set of security standards for all government-issued IDs, making them harder to forge or alter... Read More

Secretary Of State: New Law Protects Notaries And Employers
August 18, 2009
Effective October 1, 2009, all Montana Notaries are required to “keep and maintain an official Notary journal recording the details of each notarial act performed…” While it could be argued that it has always been a common law standard, the reality in Montana, as well as in many other states, is that without the actual statute many Notaries do not keep records of their notarizations. .. Read More

California State Treasurer: No Selling IOUs Without Notarization
July 14, 2009
In yet another demonstration of the growing reliance on America’s Notaries to protect the public against fraud, California Treasurer Bill Lockyer has ordered that state-issued IOUs — which the economically troubled government is temporarily using to pay its bills — cannot be redeemed without a notarized bill of sale... Read More

Golden State Moving To Make Unreliable ID Valid For Notarizations
July 10, 2009
CALIFORNIA — The forgery-prone Mexican Matricula Consular identification card has moved a step closer to becoming an officially acceptable ID for notarizations throughout the Golden State. Despite continued assertions from the FBI that the card is unreliable and open to abuse, the California State Assembly recently voted to approve Assembly Bill (AB) 442. The measure now is pending before the state Senate... Read More

FHA Moves Closer To eMortgage Readiness
July 10, 2009
The move to all-digital loan closings is getting closer thanks to the federal government. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is in the process of developing electronic mortgage specifications. A drafted seven-page document describing the specifications is being circulated among industry and government officials. The goal of the specifications is to help the FHA cope with the projected 30 percent spike in mortgage originations by the end of the year... Read More

Notaries Cut From City Budget
July 10, 2009
WASHINGTON — Hit hard by the economy, governments large and small are awash in red ink, and the town of Ferndale is no exception. Among the measures being taken to balance its $452,000 budget; the town has decided to eliminate Notary services... Read More

Food For A Signature And Seal
July 10, 2009
WASHINGTON — The McDonald McGarry Insurance Brokers in downtown Edmonds have found a way to use the commissions of its five Notaries to help those who are less fortunate in these tough economic times. For years, the company has provided free Notary services. Now the brokerage is asking customers to ante up, not with money but food that will be donated to the Edmonds Food Bank... Read More

Candidate Checks Petitions Before Filing
July 10, 2009
VIRGINIA — Gubernatorial hopeful Brian Moran paused before filing his candidacy petition. That’s because he discovered that state law had recently changed to require Notaries to use a seal. So Moran had his staff carefully double-check every petition page to make sure it had the requisite seal impression before handing them in to the election officials... Read More

Funny Business With Petitions Leads To Serious Charges
July 10, 2009
OKLAHOMA — It was lies, Notaries and petitions that got officials of three taxpayers’ rights groups in trouble with the state authorities... Read More

Volunteer State Cracks Down On ‘Notarios’
July 10, 2009
TENNESSEE— State Attorney General Bob Cooper’s recent crackdown on companies promoting themselves as “Notarios Publicos” has sent a clear message that there is zero tolerance for Notary advertising that could mislead or deceive immigrants... Read More

Knightdale Notary Honored By Mayor
July 10, 2009
NORTH CAROLINA — In her work for the town of Knightdale, Suzanne Yeatts wears a lot of hats — she’s the town clerk, human resources director and a Notary. But she doesn’t let her busy schedule hinder her professionalism, which is why she recently was presented with the Mayor’s Award as an outstanding town employee who goes above and beyond the norm... Read More

Complying With ‘Red Flags Rules’ Is All About Flexibility
July 10, 2009
For Notaries who must adhere to the federal government’s “Red Flags Rules” on identity theft prevention, flexibility is the watchword. That’s because the rules, which are designed to prevent identity theft and will be enforced as of August 1, do not give specific instructions. Instead, they issued a set of general guidelines designed to help organizations covered by the rules set up a program to detect and react to threats of ID theft... Read More

Florida Organizes, Lobbies To Battle Mortgage Fraud
July 10, 2009
FLORIDA — The Sunshine State is seen by many as ground zero for mortgage fraud in America, ranking at or near the top of the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) fraud index for the past four years. But if local officials have their way, the state may soon be known as ground zero for multi-agency mortgage fraud task forces... Read More

Brooklyn Man Charged With Trying To Steal Brownstone
July 10, 2009
NEW YORK — In another example of how easy it is for criminals to steal real estate, a Brooklyn man is facing trial for using forged documents to illegally take ownership of a brownstone in Harlem... Read More

School District Seeks To Verify Permission For Trips
July 10, 2009
PENNSYLVANIA — Notarization is one of the best ways to ensure a signature is genuine — and because of that, a local school district plans to require notarized permission slips for overnight student trips, making it harder to fake parents’ signatures... Read More

El Paso Mayoral Candidate Denies Claims Of Liquor License Misconduct
July 10, 2009
TEXAS — A bar owner seeking to become mayor of El Paso was arrested on charges he lied before a Notary about a liquor license — but the candidate says it’s the accusations that are false, not him... Read More

Former Vehicle Owners Can Fight Traffic Camera Liability With Notary’s Help
July 10, 2009
 TEXAS — Lone Star State residents have a tendency to forget to tell the state when they sell their cars, a lapse that often comes with a hefty price. That’s because vehicle owners here are responsible for notifying the state within 30 days when they sell or trade in a vehicle. If they don’t, and the vehicle is picked up by a traffic camera for a violation, the former owner can be held liable. But Forth Worth and Arlington residents can submit a notarized affidavit to solve the problem... Read More

Virginia Grandfathers eNotarizations Performed Prior to July 2008
July 10, 2009
Electronic notarizations in Virginia that predate the state’s 2008 technology laws are still valid, according to the state’s top law enforcement official... Read More

Michigan Issuing New Enhanced IDs
July 10, 2009
MICHIGAN — Residents here now can obtain an enhanced driver’s license that is harder to fake and can be used in lieu of a passport to cross U.S. borders with our neighbors... Read More

Judge Drops Hammer On Thor Worshipper’s Name Change
July 10, 2009
NEBRASKA — A Lancaster County judge recently acted boldly to protect society — by denying a request of a prison inmate to change his name. It’s a move that Notaries throughout the state should applaud, since the convict — Jonathan L. Thomas — may have been motivated more to avoid further legal entanglements by concealing his real identity than to honor his Nordic religion... Read More

City Steps Up As Personal Records Are Compromised
July 10, 2009
MASSACHUSETTS — Police in Lawrence are trying to figure out why two former Public School Department employees used city computers to run questionable background checks on Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, boxer Evander Holyfield, and actors Michael Chiklis, Hugh Laurie and Sela Ward. They are among the estimated 400 people who had their personal information accessed under the guise of the background checks... Read More

Illinois Court Sets Nationwide Standard For Notary Employers
July 10, 2009
A relatively obscure appellate ruling in the nation’s heartland carries implications that reverberate from coast to coast, potentially affecting the business practices of employers and the way liability law is interpreted by the courts... Read More

Conference 2009: Opportunity, Education and Interaction
July 10, 2009
The opportunities for America’s Notaries to act as identity managers will only grow as virtually every major industry recognizes the critical need to keep its most sensitive and valuable information secure. That was one of the key messages heard by the hundreds of Notaries, government officials and dignitaries who attended the National Notary Association’s 31st Annual Conference in Las Vegas last month... Read More

Misuse Of Notary Seals
July 10, 2009
The misuse of Notary seals in conjunction with other mayhem (including violence and even murder) occur too often. Like a police officer’s badge or a soldier’s uniform, the seal is a recognized symbol of authority, and Notaries cannot allow it to be borrowed, stolen or used by anyone else under any circumstances – NO EXCEPTIONS... Read More

Fingerprinting — The Notary’s Shield Against Fraud
July 10, 2009
For a spiral ink smudge on a piece of paper, a fingerprint contains a lot of power. It’s one of the strongest proofs of identity used today, and, because of that, national use of fingerprinting for Notary journal entries is the key to stemming the tidal wave of fraud swamping America... Read More

Home Study Course Graduates
July 10, 2009

Notary’s Graduation Speech Encourages Students To Prepare For The Future
July 10, 2009
SOUTH CAROLINA — The recent graduates of Williamsburg Technical College in Kingstree are facing the daunting challenges of today’s working world — but they will be guided by the words of a Notary with more than 25 years of experience helping people find jobs... Read More

The New Notary Bulletin: On Point And On The Web
July 10, 2009
Welcome to the new NOTARY BULLETIN. For those of you used to reading the BULLETIN in its paper form, the new online format is debuting with most of the features and departments you’ve come to expect and enjoy intact, plus new interactive features and choices to make the publication your “go-to” place for Notary news. In the coming months, we plan to add more interactive features, which we will announce soon... Read More

Czech Terminal Patients May Soon Need Notarization To End Life
July 10, 2009
CZECH REPUBLIC — Notaries often are present at important moments of life — from buying a home to getting children into the neighborhood school to making healthcare decisions in the event of an emergency. And if an activist group in this Central European nation has its way, Notaries will be present at one of the last moments in life for many... Read More

Notarization Facilitates Attempted ‘Sale’ Of Romanian Children
July 10, 2009
ROMANIA — Local police arrested two men after it was discovered that they were trying to sell their children’s organs. The unnamed men arranged to send their children to a local hospital in order to have a kidney harvested from each child, and they sealed the deal by visiting a Notary to sign the paperwork giving their consent for the organ removal operation... Read More

Building A Taste For eVoting
June 9, 2009
ESTONIA — As the first country in the world with a fully electronic Notary system, this Baltic republic is pushing digital boundaries yet again by testing a nationwide eVoting network. Estonia recently asked its citizens to cast eBallots for their favorite food. The colorful menu was supposed to encourage people to participate in the new system... Read More