I know, I know, I know. The borrowers like the Notary so much, they wouldn’t let him leave. That’s not what happened.
A guy goes to a signing like he always does. He sits down at the table, and has people sign the documents. The family was rude and used profanity when asking him who he was and what this was about. But, they signed the documents. Then, there was an issue about title, and with a foreclosure issue. The Notary told them that the Note was enough without having a Grant Deed, or QuitClaim to foreclose on the house. He attempted to leave the house, but the husband blocked the door, and the wife jumped on him from behind.
The Notary forced his way out the door. Basically, the family did NOT want him leaving with those documents. He explained that the documents were the property of the title company and not the borrower’s documents and that is why he needed to take them. I’m not sure it was worth it.
After the Notary was out the door and on his way to the car, the son of the couple came out of the house with a baseball bat. This family just isn’t kidding around. The Notary warned the kid that he had a gun and that the gun would be a lot more effective than a baseball bat.
The Notary drove away, and reported the issue to the Sheriff. The Sheriff asked if he wanted them to press charges and he said he just wanted law enforcement to give them a stern lecture since nobody was hurt.
So, when people ask, “Is the mobile notary profession a safe one?” The answer is, if there is a serious issue with the rate, APR, or with a foreclosure, it might not be. This is the second incident of violence against a Notary that I have heard of after serving 65,000 Notaries. It pays to confirm the signing by phone to see if the people are complete nutcases. That extra minute spent could save you some grief down the line.
I had an incident a few years back, where I was in fear of my life. I was able to get out the door, while the male was outside on the patio, ranting & raving. His pregnant, India, Indian wife was terrified of him. I tried to get her to go with me, with the small child but she was afraid he would find her and kill her, so she stayed. All because her name appeared on some of the docs, due to it being a community property state. According to him, she had no spousal rights. He was a nut job.
Comment by Ryvona Stephens — October 4, 2021 @ 6:59 pm
Wow
Comment by Shamina — October 4, 2021 @ 8:02 pm
I always put any kind of scenario in my wind whenever I accept an assignment. I google the address to see where exactly it is located, is it in a desolate area or entrance in the back. If it is a male alone, I ask him to leave the door open.
I had one scare whereby the house was down a long dirt road with no way in or out but one way. In that case, I made sure to park my car facing the driveway for quick departure because I am not great at backing up. Yes, it is scary at times if you don’t take the extra time to google the address and see where it is on map.
Comment by ROSALEE V TALLEY — October 4, 2021 @ 9:38 pm
I was recently verbally berated by a borrower who was clearly delusional and paranoid. He asked his wife if they were “going to keep her.” Meaning me. He was yelling things like “you are just like the other one. Her out of my fucking house.” I had just arrived!
I went up leave and he blocked the door and started stalking around me in a intimidating fashion. He was small but solid muscle. His wife just kept saying I’m sorry I’m sorry. I put my hand outs treated his chest and I said don’t move 1 inch. If you come any closer to me I’m calling the police and if you follow me out I’m going to have you arrested.
I made it to the car. Got out of there just as he came out the door.
9 years, I’ve successfully dealt with some difficult people. But this is the first time I was actually scared to death.
Comment by Lisa — October 4, 2021 @ 9:39 pm
That’s why I have a CCW permit and always carry. I don’t care what the signing service or title company says. My safety is more important than my job!
Comment by Ken — October 5, 2021 @ 1:20 am
This is absolutely INSANE! My mother had a situation happen to her many years ago as a home health aide! She had got loss and ended up in some mountain man’s property in Colorado (we lived in Colorado at the time) The owner came out of his home with a powerful hunting rifle and told my mom she was trespassing and had my mom at gunpoint and told her to get in his house! My mom asked the guy to use his telephone it was his telephone to call the agency to let them know that she was lost and and the guy refused to let her use the phone! Finally after 2 hours he let her use the phone keep a mind at this whole time she had a gun being pointed at her not just any gun or rifle not knowing if it was loaded or not scared my mother to death! So finally after so many hours he let my mother go And apparently what my mother had said he was intoxicated! So as my mom started driving away she called the police…. the police came and it was a huge news story that made headlines back in Colorado in 1988! My mother tells me she had asked the police detective if thr gun was actually loaded and he sad “YESS!” and the suspect planned on killing my mother but his wife who was there for the who incident quietly talked him out of it! I’m thankful everyday that this lady did that!
Comment by Michelle Harley — October 5, 2021 @ 3:35 am
Sorry lost, not Loss! Typo
Comment by Michelle Harley — October 5, 2021 @ 3:36 am
This is a bunch of crap the notary is not allowed to discuss the terms or tell them what they need or don’t need that is not the job of the notary! This story is Ludacris I don’t even believe it happened I have been a notary for 26 years never ever what I tell any customer what they need with a grant deed or a note that is not my business that is practicing law without a license!
Comment by Lorelle — October 5, 2021 @ 3:55 am
The notary went into too much detail. Thats the lenders/loan officers job
Comment by Aaron White — October 5, 2021 @ 1:49 pm
Wow! Some scary stuff here! I’ve never had anything like these in my 27 years NSA, but did have an incident when I was a Census worker in 2010… a man didn’t want to answer the questions and threatened to “report” me demanding to know where my office was (I indicated my car) and who my supervisor was (I gave him the information we were trained to give). His wife just stood there like an idiot. I recognized him as an extremely abusive person (I was a National Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Advocate for over 20 years) and immediately reported him to my Supervisor as soon as I was safely in my car and away from the location.
Comment by JudyLou Davis — October 10, 2021 @ 8:18 am
This was a great article about the process every notary should take as an industry standard to call and confirm the signing. Moreover, it gives insight as to why we ask the signers questions to get some idea about the probable mindset of the signers. Great job here Jeremy!!
Comment by Richard Jackson — October 12, 2021 @ 1:16 pm