April 2021 - Notary Blog - Signing Tips, Marketing Tips, General Notary Advice - 123notary.com
123Notary

Notary Blog – Signing Tips, Marketing Tips, General Notary Advice – 123notary.com Control Panel

April 30, 2021

Jeremy’s guide to different types of signatures

Filed under: Technical & Legal — admin @ 10:09 am

In my career I saw a bunch of odd signatures. Most of what I saw was normal though. Here are the types of signatures I saw.

1. Regular looking signatures
Some had a middle initial or name(s), some did not.

2. Odd scribbles

3. Scribbles that were as tall as they were wide — reminds me of Arabic calligraphy. My comment was, “What IS this?”

4. Hieroglyphics
I once went to an Egyptian restaurant. The menu was in English, but I’ll give you a hint as to what language the inflated bill was written in.

5. Chinese characters
The signature on the ID matched the ID although his English name did not match the characters. I think I am at an advantage as I can recognize Chinese characters, but not all of them. Anyway, the signer was one hell of a character himself speaking of characters.

6. The Israeli Job
Remember that action movie, “The Italian Job.” I did an Israeli job. This guy was in the film business and his signature was a horizontal line that turned into a check mark and then a weird dot above the end of it. How bizarre. He insisted that he signed million dollar deals with that signature. If I knew any Hebrew I would say, “Ma-Zei?” (what is this?)

7. The childish signature
Some people write out their signature in very clear letters like children do. I have seen old folks do this too. Very bizarre and illiterate looking. But, then the new generation doesn’t know cursive anymore so I’ve heard.

8. The X
Incapacitated people and illiterates sometimes sign with an X. They need subscribing witnesses to help with that procedure and you better study up before you try it.

9. A thumbprint
I have never heard of this. But, I heard that a Notary in Florida accepted a thumbprint as a signature during a signature by mark signing. Not sure if that is legal there, but I heard they did it.

10. The artwork signature
Other signatures look like some sort of artwork you would see in embroidery. This is unusual, but if it happens it will most likely be a woman’s signature.

11. The bubbly dots on the i’s.
Teenage girls and young women sometimes do this. This is how I caught someone who forged my signature. It only happened once, but the bubbly i’s gave it away. This woman didn’t cross her i’s and dot her t’s, she bubbled her i’s and forged her t’s.

12. The large initials
I am not sure how legal that is, but if it matches the ID, I guess that works

13. The 1800’s wax seal
In the old days they would use a personal stamp and candle wax to make their seal. I’m not sure if they would sign it as well. Wax can fall off a lot easier than a signature. Those were the days.

14. The Arabic signature
He signed the wrong direction, but in their culture, right to left is the right direction.

Share
>

April 29, 2021

A Notary notarizes the My Pillow Guy

Filed under: General Stories — admin @ 6:08 am

NOTARY: Hello Mike, how is everything?

MIKE: It’s been rough. People are cancelling me left and right because of my political beliefs. It’s like living in a communist country.

NOTARY: Well, I’m not going to cancel you. May I see some ID?

MIKE: Here you go.

NOTARY: Let’s see, you want to be notarized as Michael J Lindell, but your ID says only Michael Lindell. Sorry… I’m canceling you based on your ID, but not your political views.

MIKE: It has the J there. Time to see an eye doctor.

NOTARY: I just don’t like the way people cut you off, and without any type of landing pad. There was no cushion to your landing. And all because of your PILLOW-tical views.

MIKE: It’s because the pillow guy is “in bed” with the enemy, at least from their point of view. On the other hand, maybe the cancellers got up on the wrong side of the bed.

NOTARY: For them, every side of the bed is the wrong side.

MIKE: I’ll sign to that!

NOTARY: Well maybe you should resolve your issues with the left by having a pillow fight. By the way. I just love how you get all excited over something so mundane as a pillow. You get as excited about pillows as I get just thinking about my future trip to Japan where I will do sake tasting, see amazing parts of Tokyo with the most unique shopping on the planet, and see Buddhist temples in Kyoto.

MIKE: You’re right. I guess I’m a bit eccentric. But, that Egyptian cotton is something else.

NOTARY: I bet Amazon probably cut you off. They have become a bunch of Piranhas in the last few years which is an interesting insight. I guess their business name has a lot of metaphysical impact on their character.

MIKE: Hmm. Very interesting. I never thought of that. So, what does my business name make me — a big softy?

NOTARY: Actually, you kind of act like that… I think you are correct in your assertation. (pause) Please sign here. (pause) According to Judaism, your name is very important. The most famous story in the Torah is when Rachel’s son Benoni’s name was changed to Benjamin. From: son of my sorrows to: son of my right hand. Rachel had to change the boy’s name otherwise he would attract a negative and sorrowful future. But, you are named after an angel, so I guess you are on the right track. And I think angels like pillows.

MIKE: I should order some new wings from Amazon assuming I’m not banned from there. I should get a warranty on angelic wings too if I get some. Angel wings, not teriyaki wings — just wanted to clarify that.

NOTARY: Can you sign the journal? Uh-huh…. Okay. I’m going to stamp the document. You are good to go. Your new pillow contract is good now — REST ASSURED.

MIKE: Another pillow reference.

NOTARY: Have you ever thought of making coffins too? Dead people like to be comfortable too — I’ve heard.

MIKE: I would like to create a coffin for dead people who vote by mail who need to get in and out of that coffin and go to the post office. There’s a big market for those folks, at least as of 2020.

NOTARY: Good point.How about a briefcase with a very soft exterior, or a Notary journal with a very soft cover?

MIKE: Not much of a market for that, but sounds like a great idea. Well thanks for the Affidavit, do I need to swear to anything?

NOTARY: Your notarization was an Acknowledgment and doesn’t include an Oath. But, I am so good with Oaths, I can give them in my sleep… I swear it!

MIKE: Uh…. another pillow reference. I saw that one coming. Okay, it was fun. Let’s hope that this cancel culture ends soon.

NOTARY: And if it doesn’t, you can suffocate it with one of your products.

MIKE: Another one. That one I didn’t see coming!

Share
>

April 28, 2021

Tips for getting more assignments as a new Notary

Filed under: Advertising — admin @ 9:50 am

Here are a few tips for the new folks to get more business.

1. Take jobs that others won’t.
Most Notaries are picky. They want the best jobs for the highest price from the nicest companies. If you are trying to develop a reputation and get signings under your belt, do the opposite! Take signings that are far away, pay little, involve a lot of fax backs, or sound difficult. You have to get your foot in the door.

2. Advertise on all the major portals and directories
Snapdocs, 123notary, Notary Rotary, Notary Cafe, and others

3. Advertise in more counties on 123notary
We don’t even charge for this. Once you are listed you can have up to 12 counties, and sometimes we can accommodate for more. If the database cannot accommodate them on one listing, we can create additional listings which generally is not free, but for an affordable cost if you want a larger net.

4. Call all signing companies in the nation that are doing a lot of business. Talk to all title companies within 90 minutes of you as well. If they need pick up and delivery, you might be their person.

5. Having mobile equipment helps
Mobile printing, scanning, faxing really helps. But, if your equipment is at home, make sure to have a dual tray printer, a reliable scanner, fax, and whatever else your clients say they need.

6. Network
Get listed with your local chamber of commerce, let local hospitals, Attorneys, nursing homes, airports, jails, bail bonds people and Real Estate brokers know you are in business. Often they have their own Notaries, but people get sick, quit, or won’t notarize due to conflict of interest.

7. 25K E&O Insurance
This is the minimum, but some people get up to a million to let people know they are serious. An absolute beginner should probably stick to 25 or 100K. But, you an upgrade if you start getting title work because the title companies want more.

8. Let everyone know you are a Notary
People often need a Notary and it is handy if one lives nearby who people know. Mention you are a Notary on your Facebook page, Twitter, at networking events, to your neighbors, the local stores, and anyone else you can think of.

9. One certification is good, but…
It is good to be “certified”, but having three or four certifications lets people know you are three or four times as serious as the others.

Share
>

April 26, 2021

Has bad weather ever forced you to cancel an appointment?

Filed under: General Stories — admin @ 8:33 am

Luckily I live in California, but I grew up in Massachusetts where they actually have weather. Rain, snow, hail, ooblek (ask Dr. seuss.) We have it all, although the ice can make driving deadly especially if you have to come to a stop sign at the bottom of a small hill. I lost control several times near pedestrians but nobody was hurt thank God.

Just don’t notarize anyone named Dorothy in a hurricane!

Share
>

April 25, 2021

The Biden presidency is better than I thought

Filed under: General Stories — admin @ 5:56 am

The thing I dislike about Biden is that he doesn’t keep most of his promises. However, the promises he didn’t keep were things I didn’t want him to do anyway which is why I am happy with him as a president…. so far.

He said he was against a border wall — yet, he says that America is not ready to accept thousands of Honduran refugees. My opinion is that we can’t take care of our own people, so how in hell are we going to take care of thousands of homeless refugees. The problem is so bad that Mexico is considering building a wall and making the Hondurans pay for it — or so it seems based on their brutal police behavior towards the migrants.

Biden said he was against walls, yet DC is filled with fences and walls to keep the Americans out. If there is one thing Biden is afraid of, it is red blooded patriots!

Biden said he would make everyone in America wear a mask for three months or so, but he only made that requirement in Federal buildings, planes and trains. Masks are ALREADY required in those types of places. So, once again, Biden is not so bad.

And then he shut down a pipeline costing 12,000 oil workers their jobs, but hopefully being step one in saving the environment. What good is freedom if the environment is ruined, right?

Not an issue, because Biden also has a 12 step plan to rid us of silly things like freedom and civil rights — he will unveil that once the time is right. But, if we don’t like the plan, we won’t be able to discuss it on Parler as that has been disabled — at least as of late January 2021.

Never mind that Biden cannot pronounce the word “urban.” It’s okay. He’s doing all the things I want him to do and none of the things I don’t want him to do. But, there is one thing I will miss. I love how Trump confronts everyone, gets lots done, and most of all, the way he says the word, “China!!!”

Share
>

April 24, 2021

What is the craziest or most unusual signing situation you ever had?

Filed under: Humorous Posts — admin @ 8:29 am

This will be a fun discussion. Some Notaries encounter maniacs, people with gun collections, axes, a pet squirrel, mannequins, signings in their garage, hoarders, and more.

Let us know your insane stories. They make great conversation.

Share
>

April 22, 2021

Commentary on NNA’s post about accepting tips

Filed under: Business Tips — admin @ 8:26 am

In the NNA blog, they published a very nicely written document about whether or not it is ethical to accept tips as a Notary Public. The law seems to omit covering this point.

An improper influence?
NNA’s position (I can see them asking me to not mention them in my blogs within hours of when this is published, but here goes) is that you should NOT accept tips as it could be seen as an improper influence.

Here is my commentary

In-house services
If you are providing in-house Notary services, there is a state maximum for which you can charge. In california it is $15 for an Acknowledgment or Jurat. You cannot ask for more than that. If someone gives you a gift of an extra tip, it seems a little questionable to me. On the one hand you are in the clear in certain ways since you did not ask for that extra money. On the other hand, you violated the maximum fee in a sense. In this situation, I agree with the NNA that it would be better not to accept a tip.

Mobile services (not called out-house unless you really need to go.)
If you are providing mobile notary services and your state doesn’t have any Marxist restrictions on your liberty to determine your own pricing, in my opinion, the customer can offer you any type of tip they like. You are not restricted in any way as there is no price fixing for mobile work in most states (there are nine states or so that do have restrictions.)

Any small tip could be construed as an influence, one perhaps for more favorable scheduling and service next time around. However, it doesn’t seem credible as a bribe to be coerced into doing something illegal or unethical like backdating or falsifying someone’s identity. Bribes for those types of illegal services would be in the tens of thousands and not an extra $5. An extra $10 is an innocent way of saying thank you and we value you, not a bribe.

One of the greatest joys as a mobile notary is to get one of those wealthy, generous and charismatic clients who is flamboyant in the praises and gifts that they give you. If you are a Notary who makes their life easy and pleasant, you deserve those gifts in my opinion. Notaries have been given gift certificates, movie passes, boxes of chocolates, and more. As an in-house Notary, it is slightly questionable and “safer” as the NNA claims not to accept this gift. But, it is not illegal to accept a gift from someone and you might offend them or hurt their feelings if you don’t.

So, I respectfully agree, while disagreeing with the NNA on this issue, but I do respect their correct idea that it is “safer” not to accept gifts. It’s also safer for a ship never to leave the harbor, but then what good is it being a ship if you just sit there collecting barnacles?

Here is the original post and it’s interesting
https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2019/11/should-notaries-accept-tips-and-gratuities?utm_campaign=bulletin20201207&utm_medium=sociall&utm_source=facebook&utm_content=AcceptingTips&fbclid=IwAR33D11k5wLBj4_3GdrAdGGfhPmJZI8xO0NanYQFKE9M_IZ3wL7XpXTkhJI

Share
>

April 21, 2021

SCREENING FOR MORE THAN COVID……

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: — admin @ 7:00 am

SCREENING FOR MORE THAN COVID……

Don’t let people waste your TIME. That is all you have and you can’t reclaim it. This blog is to remind all Notaries of the “SCREENING” they need to do before accepting an assignment or even giving a quote.

First and foremost, you should check if the signer or anyone in that household has COVID, come in contact with anyone who has had COVID or are under quarantine orders. Of course, there is a possibility that they may not tell the truth. If that is the case, be prepared to walk if you suspect that the signer has COVID when you get to the signing.

Other important questions to ask when someone calls you for a quote:

Let them know that you are happy to provide them with a quote but you would appreciate it if they answered a few questions.

1. Are they shopping around for the lowest prices? If that is the case, just give them your bottom-line price and let them know that they can call you after they are done shopping with other notaries.

2. Make sure that you toot your own horn (No one else will!) Let the signer know about your experience, certifications and # of loan signings before they go shopping for a lower price. If they are not shopping, ask them the following questions.

3. What type of document is being notarized? Real Estate, Power of Attorney etc.

4. Do they have the document with them?

5. Does the signer have current and valid ID?

6. Do they have a private area where you can sit down safe distance apart to notarize the document?

7. Try to schedule your appointment during a 2- or 3-hour appointment window in case you are running late. Let them know that you will arrive anytime during that window and they should be available. You can let them know that you will call or text them 30 minutes prior to arrival.

8. Determine method of payment and let them know that you don’t accept personal checks if that is your preference.

9. Ask them if they have any other commitments during the appointment window so you can be adequately prepared.

Share
>

April 20, 2021

Last minute notary questions? Who do you call?

Filed under: Business Tips — admin @ 8:13 am

I have to keep reading online to see what is going on in the industry. When I was a Notary (young man) the NNA had a great hotline. I am not sure if they kept it continuously, but they still have it now.

They are great at answering state specific technical questions and train their staff well. Go to the NNA’s website and find out what their number is. Additionally, NNA is a great place to buy E&O Insurance, stamps, bonds, journals (my favorite source) and certificate pads. Yes, it is one stop shopping.

So, now you know who to call, and it is not Ghostbusters. It’s the NNA hotline!

Share
>

April 19, 2021

What if Covid was more like a real horror movie

Filed under: General Stories — admin @ 8:28 am

The way people are behaving and what we see in the news is identical to some previous horror movies about infections diseases of the future. The whole reason this Covid fiasco is even possible is that the media has way too much influence, people are too quick to blindly accept whatever fake news you feed them, and that people travel so much that diseases can effectively spread all over the world in weeks.

But, what if the behavior conformed more to how Hollywood would film a film about Covid?

MARIA: Oh my God, the news. Mom. the news. It’s China again. People are dying in the streets.

MOM: That could happen here. Look at all those half naked wretched looking people with their eyeballs hanging out of their sockets dying from Covid. I always knew this would happen because I watch too many sci-fi thrillers. But, honestly the make up is much better in this one.

MARIA: Mom — that’s not make up, it’s real.

MOM: I’m immune to it. All those horror movies are like a vaccine against reality for me. I’m good. But, that Chinese lady on the left — great acting, all the screaming and everything like she lost everything.

MARIA: She DID lose everything and can’t go to him home for three months. They’re going to harness her to a bed where she can’t move.

(One Month Later)

RALPH: Maria, you told me this killer disease would be here in a few weeks and it’s here. I’m terrified.

MARIA: I”m over being terrified. I got it out of my system being scared last month.

RALPH: I’m scared every month. People keep getting infected, and when they do, their hair falls out and they turn grey with this crazed look on their face. It’s just like the wreaper disease.

MOM: It’s like curse of the living dead. And the only thing that can save us is the vaccine which won’t come out until next episode if we’re lucky.

MARIA: This isn’t a movie. It’s real mom!

MOM: I guess it would be more real to me if I actually knew people who got sick.

(Another Month Later)

RALPH: I was in bed for two weeks unable to move. Now, all I want to do is infect others.

MARIA: Ralph, you’re missing half your teeth, half your hair, and are walking around with your hands out forward like a zombie.

RALPH: I know. If you were paying more attention, you would notice that I am dragging my lifeless left foot along as well. I’m going to infect you after I scream like a teradaktyl and cough up some blood. ooops. I’m low on coughable blood. I’ll have to put that on the list next time I go to CVS if they even let me in.

MARIA: You evil fiend. I can’t believe the Ralph I know has turned into something so crazed and evil. But, on a brighter note, I can tell mom. She loves this type of stuff. She will probably know several movie references to your behavior.

(5 months later. Ralph dies a slow death having his skin eaten up by a rare infection and turning into a walking corpse.)

SANDRA: I’m sorry about Ralph. But, those of us who have not been infected and turned into zombies need to find a way to get —- the vaccine. It is the only solution.

MOM: But, you can’t get the vaccine without being notarized, and most notaries have become teradaktyl zombies. If you come into contact with them, you will become like them.

MARIA: Are there any Notaries who are still normal?

MOM: There are, but they are too afraid to go near anyone.

SANDRA: I just went outside. There is a line of people going on for hundreds of miles. The government has come to the rescue. Millions of people are going without food, showers, or medical care to stand in line for this vaccine. And they all look like zombies. Their brains have turned to mush and mentally they look like they aren’t even mentally there.

MOM: We should go and see that line.

SANDRA: It’s right down mainstream.

PEOPLE IN LINE: Vaccine….. vaccine…. we need the vaccine.

MARIA: Their clothes are all ripped and their hair is all disheveled.

MOM: I know, it’s just like that zombie apocalypse movie I saw at universal. Great for Halloween. (ring ring)

THOMAS: Mom, you gotta think quick. Rumor has gotten out, that the last stash of the vaccine is at your house.)

MOM: Oh no. All of those zombies will surround our house, break the windows, and then eat us alive looking for the vaccine.

MARIA: But, they are braindead zombies. The vaccine might protect them from Covid-19, but not from the more serious problem that they have which is that they are zombies who believe everything the lamestream media feeds them and all without even the slightest of questioning.

MOM: I don’t think they even need to censor information. The news can just tell them not to read it and people are so obedient towards complete strangers that they won’t read it. It’s like they are under some spell of a higher level spirit like Amalek.

THOMAS: You can leave my Amalek out of it…. Oh, no… Amalak. I was thinking of our little cat Amali. That’s different. Amalek is the spirit of deception and distortion. He is supposed to be a bad guy according to the ancient Hebrews.

MARIA: Oh no, the house is already surrounded. But, some zombie police are there in their beaten up police cars, torn police uniforms and dented night sticks. This really is like a horror movie.

MOM: So, when does it end?

THOMAS: When Fauci gets fired!

MARIA: Now you’re talking. If he gets fired, does that mean I no longer have to wear a mask?

THOMAS: It could lead to that.

Share
>
Older Posts »