It is quite scary indeed. And it is not just the Client or Title Plants. There are "signing agencies" out there as well that low-ball the notaries to go out and do their closings for about $45.00 and have actually sent out to them an agreement to divulge any and all information of the transaction "to whomever" requests it. It is my understanding that they, from their website and ownership information, are all from Overseas. One of the Underwriters here in Florida has just apparently been made aware of it from one of the main signing agencies that they were using and has now taken those functions in-house. Sadly there are classes and promotions stating that Anyone can make money in this industry simply by getting a Notary stamp. There are people that jump in, get one and pass a Signing Agent course that isn't worth the paper it is printed on (if you get the hardbook version) .Basically, no proctoring and you get to do open book testing from home online. They have absolutely no idea of confidentiality, the legal ramifications, etc.,. I have met legal assistants that have no idea of what they can or can't do, and because they have a Notary stamp, think that they are qualified in this industry. However, no "real" real estate or transactional background. They don't seem to think anything of it either. People will do anything for a buck. They tend to be so eager to get any kind of work morals and ethicss go right out the window. The good news is that the majority of the notaries that I have seen on the Notary Forum that I belong to have taken a stance and tried to unilaterally shut it down as best that they can by just not being associated with companies like these. They also let everyone else know about it too. Do the research. Just because they claim an address in the U.S. doesn't mean that they are a truly majority U.S.owned business. I found out the hard way recently, as well. Quite a shocker when a company changes ownership and keeps changing the way I change my socks. For example, if it really wasn't to change and expand, then what is the other reason really. Especially when their corporate webpage hasn't been updated in say, 5 years? Sadly, these are the questions we are now forced to ask. Bottom line: Know who you are doing business with. And this is what our industry has come to.

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