Very rarely do we hear of loan packages getting stolen, but it does happen. One of my assistants was on the phone with a client who told her a horror story. Normally, we think that Fedex drop boxes are for dropping packages. However, if you read our blog article entitled, “Don’t Put the Fedex in the Drop Box” you will know better. Aparantly, the Notary put several packages in various drop boxes. Two made it where they were supposed to go while one got stolen. Someone got into one of the Fedex boxes and stole the contents. We heard that the combination for the drop boxes was the same for drop boxes in particular areas. I heard that after the theft happened, that unique combinations were created for all drop boxes on the same routes, etc. I cannot guarantee that I have my facts correct as this is all one big story I heard from someone — but, it’s an interesting and dramatic story.
Take your Fedexes to staffed locations if you value your career!
You might also like:
Should you send the Fedex right away?
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=16166
Don’t put the Fedex in the drop box
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=2831
I’ve had one of my loan packages stolen from a UPS drop box. I had to resign them, the next day. I asked the UPS driver for that drop box, and he said that that drop box has been broken into before. He said to drop off at USP store only. I even drove up to same drop box in Anaheim, and the bottom door (to be accessed by the driver only) was wide open, I parked their and called UPS CS, those now in India, just Said thank you! Wow. I just left the box open with someone elses overnight letter sitting in their. Drop all loan packages at Fedex & UPS centers only. I know it a pain, but it not worth the heart ache later.
Comment by Bill — December 22, 2015 @ 3:48 pm
According to Title Source 2% of their signed loan packages don’t make it back. That is 2 out of every 100 that disappears after being put in the drop box. If that is the case UPS should be working to fix the problem instead of notaries having to go out of their way to drop the documents.
Comment by Margaret Quednau — December 23, 2015 @ 4:42 am
Shame on any notary that does signings for $60. You are not making any money and not very smart!
Comment by Margaret Quednau — December 23, 2015 @ 4:46 am
Belive it or not at the beginning I was doing the refinance for $65.00 but very soon I realized it is wrong.I didn’t have any mentor and didn’t know anyone to work in this business (still don’t).I really need help for pricing.Any suggestion.
Comment by Sima — December 29, 2015 @ 9:17 pm
The only Fedex drop box I use is in front of the county Jail and sheriff’s office. Should be pretty secure there.
Comment by Barbara Meyer — January 18, 2016 @ 10:29 pm
Although I have never dropped any docs off to a box and always use the fedex or UPS store only, this is a very good thing to know. Thanks for posting.
Comment by Rosalee Redmond-Talley — January 19, 2016 @ 12:07 am
I always drop off at UPS store or at FedEx. That way I get a recipt for the loan package. Then I email the recipt to the company I am signing for. That way there is no question about package stolen. I have an app on my phone that is great. It is called tiny scan and it is well worth the 4.99 cost of app. I scan every recipt into my phone and keep it in my recipt file. You can also scam your docs in if you have to fax back part of the docs. You can try it for free, but as cheap as it is it is worth buying.
Comment by Lyle Rose — March 14, 2016 @ 3:52 pm
Interesting commentary . With reference to which , if someone is wanting to merge PDF files , my husband discovered notice here http://goo.gl/cc9eT5
Comment by Loree Kitson — May 27, 2016 @ 9:13 am
Fed ex is the best…if you have an account with them you just call in your pick up via the automated phone number and they pick up right at my house. When ever I have one. You can call in up till 5pm . Never have had a problem and I don’t have to drive anywhere to drop off… And best of all it’s FREE
Comment by Sherry — July 28, 2016 @ 2:31 am
FedEx will pick up from your home for free. Ups charges. Common knowledge about those boxes. They are not secure.
Comment by Peggy Punday — October 25, 2017 @ 5:41 pm
The drop box I used in Fl (city unnamed has a time clock. I dropped a package and realized an important doc was not included. I waited at the drop box for the Fed Ex driver. He told me “I cannot open the box until 5pm as it has a time lock. His device is electronically activated and the door opens. I retrieved my package – he waited and I repackaged and all was good.
Comment by Ann Marie Williams — May 11, 2020 @ 4:21 pm
Be MORE concerned about driving around with your FedEx/UPS package and leaving it the back seat, unattended. SOMEBODY may think that they can steal a check, which IS the motivation for stealing a package.
Dunno, Margaret. Maybe the NSA’s that take $65.00/signing don’t have to pay for gas or oil changes or car repair, or never have to buy/replace printers/toners/paper? Are you “Signing Shaming?” =b
I have to BUY all of those things, and I won’t be giving away $ to lenders who make $2K+ for every signing and don’t want to share with US. From your other article,
“We are at the end of a long chain in the processing of the documents.”
If no NSA is available, the signing doesn’t happen.
I keep hoping a signing company/title company will put me on Paid Retainer!!
RE: Dropboxes, I am tired of suggesting the use of them is poor practice. We have FedEx and UPS Distribution, also one FedEx/Kinko’s and 2 UPS Stores, where I can get a receipt.
If a company wants to pay me cheap, I figure I can use a dropbox. If the signing is for a buyer or seller I WILL drop for a receipt.
If I get REALLY good pay, I will drop for a receipt.
Where I live we have about 17 FedEx dropboxes and 18 UPS boxes. Only One UPS box is in an out of the way location, and I don’t trust it. ALL OF THE REST of the local boxes are next to banks and I have seen the drivers pick up my packages. There is both a FedEx and UPS box south of one bank and locals will shove big packages inside the small opening, so I won’t use it.
One UPS box is located right outside of the office of our State Rep, and I often use that one. HIS stuff gets picked up!
In a town 20 minutes from my house and I use their FedEx box (outside of a local bank), but never the UPS box (outside of a seedy truck stop.)
I write off my mileage. When I started as an NSA in 2013 I always dropped for a receipt, but its 6 to extra miles that MY car has to travel.
Comment by betty — May 11, 2020 @ 4:28 pm
I live in a rural community and have a UPS drop at a Candy Store in my town (no, they won’t give me a receipt)
The FedEx is a drop box next to a convenience/gas store. We’re pretty safe in our little town. However, if I’m close to the OR line, I go into Ontario to a FedEx/UPS shipping store. And again, no receipt. I make an extra copy of the shipping label and staple it to the back of my Confirmation so I have the available info if asked. I also date the day and time I dropped it and the location.
Then I call or go on site to report closing and give them that info. I’ve been doing this for over 27 years so I’ve learned by some trial and error. As to the $65, I won’t take less than $100 and that being in my own town, even if it is only 1 doc. I figure that my experience and track record it worth something to me. I’ve even been paid $175 to do one within a 6 mile drive. I know there are new notaries that are wanting to get established, but don’t sell yourself so cheap. If you don’t have confidence in yourself, the signing companies won’t either. They know if you make an error, it’s going to cost you, not them, to correct it.
Comment by RYVONA Beth STEPHENS — May 11, 2020 @ 4:55 pm
I had a loan package lost, only envelope was received, docs fell out of envelope- I sealed it in front of fed ex office guy and hand delivered to him – working there. I got a call saying they did not receive package and had to do it again. went back to fed place and told the same guy that my docs were lost and told me that I had not sealed my package right. I told him that I had handed to him and could not believe the docs fell out. Never had I had this happen.
Comment by lupe — May 11, 2020 @ 11:32 pm
I live in a rural area with no Fedex office, just a UPS office. The drop box that I use at our bank has never lost a package but one day when I went to the box, there was a small package that the person thought had gone into the box. It was just lying there so I made sure it went down and mine went down in. I always now make sure it is not where someone could steal it. Only one other time was there a problem-the box was full and a large package was stuck. I traveled to another box to drop.
Comment by Linda Jean Reynolds — June 28, 2020 @ 2:39 pm