Leave a few spaces open in your journal
Have you ever heard this phrase before? These are the words a lender will tell you when they want you to backdate. If you leave a blank page in your journal a day before the signing, then it will look like you really did notarize their loan documents on the date that you claimed you did. This is completely illegal, but this is what many lenders will ask from you when they are in a pinch.
The lock
Lenders can offer their borrowers a particular rate, but there are expiration dates. If a loan has a lock that expires on the 28th at midnight, and the loan documents were not ready to be compiled, sent, printed, etc., on the 27th or 28th, then the lender is in a bind. They will have to redraw all of the loan documents all over again and have a slightly higher rate, and an irate borrower. To save themselves this nightmare, they will often ask the notary to fudge a date when in this situation.
It’s your notary commission
If you get involved in this type of fraud, you could get fined by your state notary division, lose your notary commission, or perhaps even be looking at jail time. Since there is no intent to harm anyone, jail time doesn’t seem probable, but laws differ from state to state, and the laws are always changing.
Lose the client?
I was asked to do this a few times. I said no, and lost the client. Maybe I’m better off. Lenders love notaries who will lie, cheat, and steal on their behalf. They will love you if you can look at a loan which is an obvious rip off and say nothing while the borrower is signing it. Of course, its not your job or entitlement to make commentary about someone else’s loan. You will be making someone lose thousands by butting in, and its not your right. Lenders also love someone who will forge an initial or put yesterday’s date on a Jurat certificate upon request. You would not believe how many Title company staff members have forged omitted initials on Deeds of Trust, and other documents that require initialing. Few of them would dare forge a signature as that would involve jail time, but some feel that its open season on initials.
Just say no
Don’t get involved in this nonsense. Its your life, your karma, and your commission. If you get armtwisted once, you could easily get in the habit, not to mention feel ashamed for the rest of your life. Additionally, it is recommended that you avoid screwy companies like the plague. These are exactly the same companies who will have no qualms about cheating a notary out of their pay for little or no reasons at all.
You might also like:
Index of posts about journals
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=20272
Notary Public 101 – Journals
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=19511
Everything you need to know about journals
