Sunday, September 8, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Notaries Tell BBB: Illinois Notary Federation Delayed Orders Or Never Filled Them
St.
Louis, Mo., Jan. 31, 2013 – A Springfield, Ill.,
business that sells rubber stamps and insurance coverage to Illinois notaries
has come under fire from customers who say their orders were delayed for months
or never delivered at all, the Better
Business Bureau (BBB) warns.
The BBB suggests caution when dealing with Illinois Notary Federation. Jason Adam Gold of Springfield is listed with the Illinois secretary of state as the most recent president of Illinois Notary Federation.
The business has an “F” rating with the BBB, the lowest possible. The BBB reports more than 40 complaints involving the company in the past year, most of which went unanswered.
“I’ll know better next time,” said a notary from Belleville who said she has never received her order six months after sending the company a $45 fee.
Michelle Corey, BBB president and CEO, said almost all of the complaints have been filed in the past 12 months. “Customers are waiting five or six months, or even longer, to get ordered items,” she said. “In some cases, these delays have meant that notaries have had to stop doing their work entirely, as they wait for their renewal materials.”
Illinois Notary Federation has the same toll-free number as Wisconsin Notary Federation, Florida Notary Federation, Texas Notary Federation and Michigan Notary Federation.
The Michigan Notary Federation also is the focus of several BBB complaints and has an “F” rating with the BBB in that state.
Most of Illinois Notary Federation’s information recently was removed from its website (www.ilnotaryfederation.com) and a note added that it is not currently taking new applications. The site directs customers to an Orlando, Fla., business, Accredited Surety and Casualty Company.
Sharon Jallad, chief operating officer of Accredited Surety and Casualty, said Illinois Notary Federation has worked as an agent for her company. She said Accredited Surety and Casualty insures notaries and, in recent weeks, has been assisting consumers who have had problems with Illinois Notary Federation.
“They were having operational issues and our company felt it necessary to make sure their customers got serviced,” Jallad said. “We want to be proactive.”
Jallad said she could not say exactly why Illinois Notary Federation got into trouble, saying only, “sometimes agents run into personal issues.” She said customers who have experienced problems with the company may contact her office at 407-629-2131.
The BBB could not reach officials with the Illinois Notary Federation.
Until recently, the website for Illinois Notary Federation included marketing materials that identified the company as “a one-stop shop for all your notary needs.” The website offered a basic notary package for $45, a deluxe package for $115 and a premium package for $166. All packages included a self-inking stamp, a four-year $5,000 bond, a $5,000 errors and omissions insurance policy, state filing service and a window sticker.
Most BBB complainants said they ordered the basic package at least several weeks before their four-year commission was due to expire. When the stamp and proof of insurance did not arrive, they often had to go to other companies with their orders. The complainants said they phoned and emailed Illinois Notary Federation numerous times, but received no response.
Most complainants said they learned of the company when it sent them mail solicitations near the end of their four-year commissions.
A notary at a Campbell Hill, Ill., high school said she ordered her materials on Aug. 17, well in advance of the Sept. 30 expiration date of her certificate. She said that after filing complaints with the BBB and the Illinois attorney general’s office, she finally received her stamp in December. She said the company provided no explanation for the delay. “I would never order from them again,” she said.
A notary from Highland, Ill., said she was granted a refund by her credit card company when she had not received her notary materials in a timely manner. She said she finally received her stamp in December, more than four months after her order and after she already had ordered the stamp from another company. “I couldn’t keep waiting on them,” she said.
The BBB offers the following advice when ordering products online:
Read more: http://interact.stltoday.com/pr/business/PR013113090111718#ixzz2Jamuizl3
The BBB suggests caution when dealing with Illinois Notary Federation. Jason Adam Gold of Springfield is listed with the Illinois secretary of state as the most recent president of Illinois Notary Federation.
The business has an “F” rating with the BBB, the lowest possible. The BBB reports more than 40 complaints involving the company in the past year, most of which went unanswered.
“I’ll know better next time,” said a notary from Belleville who said she has never received her order six months after sending the company a $45 fee.
Michelle Corey, BBB president and CEO, said almost all of the complaints have been filed in the past 12 months. “Customers are waiting five or six months, or even longer, to get ordered items,” she said. “In some cases, these delays have meant that notaries have had to stop doing their work entirely, as they wait for their renewal materials.”
Illinois Notary Federation has the same toll-free number as Wisconsin Notary Federation, Florida Notary Federation, Texas Notary Federation and Michigan Notary Federation.
The Michigan Notary Federation also is the focus of several BBB complaints and has an “F” rating with the BBB in that state.
Most of Illinois Notary Federation’s information recently was removed from its website (www.ilnotaryfederation.com) and a note added that it is not currently taking new applications. The site directs customers to an Orlando, Fla., business, Accredited Surety and Casualty Company.
Sharon Jallad, chief operating officer of Accredited Surety and Casualty, said Illinois Notary Federation has worked as an agent for her company. She said Accredited Surety and Casualty insures notaries and, in recent weeks, has been assisting consumers who have had problems with Illinois Notary Federation.
“They were having operational issues and our company felt it necessary to make sure their customers got serviced,” Jallad said. “We want to be proactive.”
Jallad said she could not say exactly why Illinois Notary Federation got into trouble, saying only, “sometimes agents run into personal issues.” She said customers who have experienced problems with the company may contact her office at 407-629-2131.
The BBB could not reach officials with the Illinois Notary Federation.
Until recently, the website for Illinois Notary Federation included marketing materials that identified the company as “a one-stop shop for all your notary needs.” The website offered a basic notary package for $45, a deluxe package for $115 and a premium package for $166. All packages included a self-inking stamp, a four-year $5,000 bond, a $5,000 errors and omissions insurance policy, state filing service and a window sticker.
Most BBB complainants said they ordered the basic package at least several weeks before their four-year commission was due to expire. When the stamp and proof of insurance did not arrive, they often had to go to other companies with their orders. The complainants said they phoned and emailed Illinois Notary Federation numerous times, but received no response.
Most complainants said they learned of the company when it sent them mail solicitations near the end of their four-year commissions.
A notary at a Campbell Hill, Ill., high school said she ordered her materials on Aug. 17, well in advance of the Sept. 30 expiration date of her certificate. She said that after filing complaints with the BBB and the Illinois attorney general’s office, she finally received her stamp in December. She said the company provided no explanation for the delay. “I would never order from them again,” she said.
A notary from Highland, Ill., said she was granted a refund by her credit card company when she had not received her notary materials in a timely manner. She said she finally received her stamp in December, more than four months after her order and after she already had ordered the stamp from another company. “I couldn’t keep waiting on them,” she said.
The BBB offers the following advice when ordering products online:
- Buy from a reputable business whenever possible and be wary of businesses you know little or nothing about.
- Before ordering, make sure the company lists a phone number and make sure you can speak to someone by phone prior to placing your order. This is important in case you have problems with your purchase.
- Pay by credit card whenever possible in the event you need to challenge the charge later.
Read more: http://interact.stltoday.com/pr/business/PR013113090111718#ixzz2Jamuizl3
Friday, December 28, 2012
Four New Notary Laws To Watch
Four New Notary Laws To Watch: Public attention in 2012 focused heavily on what Notaries do and how they do it, largely in response to major fraud concerns. As a result, legislators in many states started taking a close look at Notary laws and procedures, and passed several new measures. Here’s a look four laws enacted in the past year that make significant changes to state Notary regulations.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Fun News When You Do Things Right
It is always wonderful when you can help others out -- Tonight just found out that I am in
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Nominations For The 2013 Notary of the Year Close December 31!
Nominations For The 2013 Notary of the Year Close December 31!: There are just a few weeks remaining to nominate a colleague (or yourself) for the 2013 Notary of the Year Honor. This tribute recognizes a Notary who demonstrates an exemplary level of professional conduct and ethics in serving and protecting the public.
If we at Dash Notary have step-up in your eyes, we would love your vote!
If we at Dash Notary have step-up in your eyes, we would love your vote!
Friday, November 16, 2012
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Mortgage Crisis Caused Shift in Public Opinion
Mortgage Crisis Caused Shift in Public Opinion: The “robo-signing” scandal, along with the resulting housing market crisis, caused a decline in public opinion towards the mortgage and banking industries. A recent survey by ID Analytics revealed that most of the blame for the 2008 economic disaster, and subsequent slow recovery, has been directed at the mortgage industry and the banks that packaged sub-standard loans and sold them to investors. (credit NNA)
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
HOW TO: Prevent and Report Online Stalking Mashable HOW TO: Prevent and Report Online Stalking | The top source for social and digital news
Being Stalking is becoming more and more common -- Please read on what you can do to prevent it!
David Perry is Global Director of Education for Trend Micro,
where he represents the company’s Internet security awareness endeavors
as a leading authority on computer virus prevention. For ongoing
updates on the latest threats, check out the Trend Micro microsite.
The social web is not just a model of our world, but an indelible and growing part of it. People correspond, they do business, and just like in the real world, they have addresses, and mailboxes. And in today’s pervasive and immersive online environment, it’s almost impossible to be completely anonymous.
The web gathers vast amounts of personal information that we willfully share online — our location, interests, purchases, friends, current activities, etc. Anyone tracking this information not only knows what we say, but in what location we say it, and to whom. This adds up to a large dossier of information on nearly every Internet user.
One issue that persists in a web-based world is online stalking (also referred to by some organizations as “cyber stalking”). An online stalker can easily hide behind Internet anonymity, or worse, behind someone else’s identity. Below is a quick guide to understanding online stalking and how to best prevent it from happening to you.
The real key to the prevention of online stalking is remembering that every post you put on a social network could potentially be public. Sophisticated search engines and malicious data-stealing Trojans can find and share any information about you, even on the most trusted and secure social networks. Compromised data could potentially be used by criminals to harass you, harm you personally, or steal your identity.
The best thing to do is to stay informed about the latest threats and which popular sites may have been recently hacked. Some important resources with quality information include:
Whether you want to protect information on your Facebook profile or in your Gmail account, there is security software that can help you do it. For example, you can install software that will warn you if any sensitive words or numbers (like phone numbers, addresses, dates of birth, passwords, etc.) are entered onto a web page. You should also be sure your private and financial data is only entered into websites that have proof of their security from companies like TRUSTe or VeriSign.
Because so much of our day-to-day communication is done on social networks (sharing on Facebook, job hunting on Craigslist), it may not always be clear when we encounter the issue of online stalking. You may think you’re overreacting, but if you’re feeling intimidated or insecure about a situation and you’re not sure what to do, here are some sources that may help you determine if you’re being stalked.
QuitStalkingMe.com
WiredSafety.org
State Cyberstalking Laws
ConnectSafely.org
Anyone who is being stalked or harassed online should not respond to the instigator. They should instead either report it to the online community where it’s happening (by flagging on social networks, reporting abusive links, etc.), or to other sites such as Cyber911 Emergency from Wired Safety, and Cyberstalking from The National Center for Victims of Crime.
Keep a record of the communications, and contact authorities if it becomes threatening in any way. People who are under the age of 18 should also alert their parents or an adult they trust to help them properly track the communications and contact authorities as appropriate.
Like bullying and harassment, stalking cannot be stopped by any technology. However, there are several ways to keep track of communications through IM, Twitter, Facebook, etc. The silver lining is that online stalking is probably easier to prosecute than physical stalking because the communications are usually traceable in some way.
David Perry is Global Director of Education for Trend Micro,
where he represents the company’s Internet security awareness endeavors
as a leading authority on computer virus prevention. For ongoing
updates on the latest threats, check out the Trend Micro microsite.The social web is not just a model of our world, but an indelible and growing part of it. People correspond, they do business, and just like in the real world, they have addresses, and mailboxes. And in today’s pervasive and immersive online environment, it’s almost impossible to be completely anonymous.
The web gathers vast amounts of personal information that we willfully share online — our location, interests, purchases, friends, current activities, etc. Anyone tracking this information not only knows what we say, but in what location we say it, and to whom. This adds up to a large dossier of information on nearly every Internet user.
One issue that persists in a web-based world is online stalking (also referred to by some organizations as “cyber stalking”). An online stalker can easily hide behind Internet anonymity, or worse, behind someone else’s identity. Below is a quick guide to understanding online stalking and how to best prevent it from happening to you.
1. Get the Facts
The real key to the prevention of online stalking is remembering that every post you put on a social network could potentially be public. Sophisticated search engines and malicious data-stealing Trojans can find and share any information about you, even on the most trusted and secure social networks. Compromised data could potentially be used by criminals to harass you, harm you personally, or steal your identity.
The best thing to do is to stay informed about the latest threats and which popular sites may have been recently hacked. Some important resources with quality information include:
- The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA)
- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Computers and Internet Privacy
2. Be Cautious
Whether you want to protect information on your Facebook profile or in your Gmail account, there is security software that can help you do it. For example, you can install software that will warn you if any sensitive words or numbers (like phone numbers, addresses, dates of birth, passwords, etc.) are entered onto a web page. You should also be sure your private and financial data is only entered into websites that have proof of their security from companies like TRUSTe or VeriSign.
Because so much of our day-to-day communication is done on social networks (sharing on Facebook, job hunting on Craigslist), it may not always be clear when we encounter the issue of online stalking. You may think you’re overreacting, but if you’re feeling intimidated or insecure about a situation and you’re not sure what to do, here are some sources that may help you determine if you’re being stalked.
3. Don’t Respond, Just Report
Anyone who is being stalked or harassed online should not respond to the instigator. They should instead either report it to the online community where it’s happening (by flagging on social networks, reporting abusive links, etc.), or to other sites such as Cyber911 Emergency from Wired Safety, and Cyberstalking from The National Center for Victims of Crime.
Keep a record of the communications, and contact authorities if it becomes threatening in any way. People who are under the age of 18 should also alert their parents or an adult they trust to help them properly track the communications and contact authorities as appropriate.
Like bullying and harassment, stalking cannot be stopped by any technology. However, there are several ways to keep track of communications through IM, Twitter, Facebook, etc. The silver lining is that online stalking is probably easier to prosecute than physical stalking because the communications are usually traceable in some way.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Life is like Coffee Movie
Life is like Coffee Movie: Do you know people that just seem to be happier in general? Do you say to yourself, "I want to be more like them"? Often, the happiest people in the world don't have the best of everything...they just make the best of everything!
Friday, November 2, 2012
Join With The National Notary Foundation To Help Sandy Victims
Join With The National Notary Foundation To Help Sandy Victims
Foundation Will Match All Contributions Dollar For Dollar
Please join with us in relief efforts for the areas hardest hit by Superstorm Sandy. Millions of people on the East Coast have been impacted by this catastrophe which destroyed entire neighborhoods by wind, flooding and fire. The NNF will match all contributions dollar for dollar to help those who lost loved ones, their homes or their livelihoods during this unprecedented natural disaster.
Foundation Will Match All Contributions Dollar For Dollar
Please join with us in relief efforts for the areas hardest hit by Superstorm Sandy. Millions of people on the East Coast have been impacted by this catastrophe which destroyed entire neighborhoods by wind, flooding and fire. The NNF will match all contributions dollar for dollar to help those who lost loved ones, their homes or their livelihoods during this unprecedented natural disaster.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Can you close your home anywhere? TX VS IL this time
Hi Tonie, I have a remote closing question for you. The customer's are buying a home in Illinois and selling their home in Plano. Customer's wants to close both loans in Texas. I am getting push-back from real estate attorney in Ill. He states that "The transaction will need to take place in Illinois. We are an attorney state where both attorneys need to be present at closing."
Does that sound right to you?
My short reply:
Nope not correct -- both homes can be closed here in Texas since IL is NOT Attorney State... Keep the questions coming
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Revised Laws Provide Better Protection for Estate and Financial Planning
Revised Laws Provide Better Protection for Estate and Financial Planning: An alarming increase in financial manipulation and abuse of the elderly has inspired many states to tighten their laws pertaining to estate and financial planning, and Notaries Public play an important role in the prevention process, specifically in reference to the execution of durable power of attorney documents.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Take Advantage of Private Notary Public Services
Take Advantage of Private Notary Public Services: Greyhound Legal’s offer full investigations, skip-tracing, stakeouts and courier services locally while setting the standard for exemplary service Nationwide
Texas Absentee Ballot Guide | Long Distance Voter - The Absentee Ballot Experts
Military and Overseas voters should visit FVAP.gov. Long Distance Voter's forms and information should only be used by voters with US mailing addresses.
Important Deadlines
- Voter Registration Form: Postmarked on or before October 9, 2012
- Absentee Ballot Application: Received by close of business on October 30, 2012
- Voted Absentee Ballot: Received by 7:00 pm on Election Day
Texas Absentee Ballot Guide | Long Distance Voter - The Absentee Ballot Experts
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Can you do Medallion services as a Notary Public?
This question came up today from a friend of mine....
Have I done them in the past when I worked for a bank yes Shelly --- now-a-days as a notary here is the proper response:
The answer is a “medallion signature guarantee,” a special signature guarantee required for the sale or transfer of securities (a type of negotiable instrument). This service is provided only by banks or other financial institutions that have been certified to issue medallion signature guarantees. Sale or transfer of securities instruments requires the holder’s signature. By issuing a medallion signature guarantee, the selling or transferring financial institution guarantees that the signature is genuine, and accepts liability for signature forgery. This differs significantly from a notary’s purpose in performing an acknowledgment or oath/affirmation notarial act.
In short, a medallion signature guarantee is the issuing financial institution’s certification that a signature related to sale or transfer of securities is authentic. Medallion signature guarantees have a completely different purpose from notarization, should not be confused with notarization, and ***cannot be performed by a notary unless he/she is a certified participant in a financial institution’s medallion signature guarantee program.***
Any requests for a “medallion signature notary” or “golden medallion notarization” or similar should be referred to a bank. The requester may contact any local bank and ask if the bank can issue a “medallion signature guarantee.” Warmly, Tonie
Have I done them in the past when I worked for a bank yes Shelly --- now-a-days as a notary here is the proper response:
The answer is a “medallion signature guarantee,” a special signature guarantee required for the sale or transfer of securities (a type of negotiable instrument). This service is provided only by banks or other financial institutions that have been certified to issue medallion signature guarantees. Sale or transfer of securities instruments requires the holder’s signature. By issuing a medallion signature guarantee, the selling or transferring financial institution guarantees that the signature is genuine, and accepts liability for signature forgery. This differs significantly from a notary’s purpose in performing an acknowledgment or oath/affirmation notarial act.
In short, a medallion signature guarantee is the issuing financial institution’s certification that a signature related to sale or transfer of securities is authentic. Medallion signature guarantees have a completely different purpose from notarization, should not be confused with notarization, and ***cannot be performed by a notary unless he/she is a certified participant in a financial institution’s medallion signature guarantee program.***
Any requests for a “medallion signature notary” or “golden medallion notarization” or similar should be referred to a bank. The requester may contact any local bank and ask if the bank can issue a “medallion signature guarantee.” Warmly, Tonie
Monday, October 1, 2012
Our Qtrly Dash Notary Online Scavenger Hunt Winner
Every Qtr Dash Notary host an Online Scavenger Hunt where folks search the description for the hint then go on www.dashnotary.com to "hunt" for the 1 x 1 inch photo that is the item. Then they submit the Contact Me form with the proper item and where it is at. It is a 1 - 25 chance to win $100.00 Visa Gift Card. Please be on the look out for our next contest. Warmly, Tonie Boaman, 24 hour traveling notary public
Monday, September 24, 2012
Texas I-9 Confusion
Many Texas Notaries a few years ago quit doing I-9 Forms because of the liability & the laws are somewhat confusing regarding government I-9 forms. So, after much conversation with the Texas Secretary of State directly here is the low down:
Some states might authorize their notaries to complete and attest to an I-9 form on behalf of an employer, but Texas notaries are not authorized to do so.
According to information I found in the USCIS Handbook for Employers (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/m-274.pdf), an employer’s “designated agent” can complete the I-9 form on behalf of the employer. The handbook states, with regard to certification of Section 2 of the form, “If a designated agent or notary public completes this section, he or she must provide the employer’s name and address under his or her signature.”
So, an employer could designate an agent to complete the form. A Texas notary has no independent authority to complete the form. If you are a notary, and an employer designates you as its agent to complete the form, then you could complete the form as a designated agent. You could not put your notary stamp on it or otherwise suggest that you completed it in your capacity as a Texas notary.
So what this means in the end you are NOT allowed to put your notary stamp on any I-9 form but you can complete it as an designated agent.
Some states might authorize their notaries to complete and attest to an I-9 form on behalf of an employer, but Texas notaries are not authorized to do so.
According to information I found in the USCIS Handbook for Employers (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/m-274.pdf), an employer’s “designated agent” can complete the I-9 form on behalf of the employer. The handbook states, with regard to certification of Section 2 of the form, “If a designated agent or notary public completes this section, he or she must provide the employer’s name and address under his or her signature.”
So, an employer could designate an agent to complete the form. A Texas notary has no independent authority to complete the form. If you are a notary, and an employer designates you as its agent to complete the form, then you could complete the form as a designated agent. You could not put your notary stamp on it or otherwise suggest that you completed it in your capacity as a Texas notary.
So what this means in the end you are NOT allowed to put your notary stamp on any I-9 form but you can complete it as an designated agent.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
A Touching Tribute to September 11, 2001 | Be A Hero-Hire A Hero
A truly a Touching tribute which we wanted to share – thank you Carl Savino for posting
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)