Colorado Springs Notary - Leon Austin

One of the questions on a questionnaire I received regarding eSignings was, 'would I be willing to do the closing at a library using one of their computers.  Sure, I would be willing. I'm willing to do just about anything to facilitate getting a loan closed.

But is it safe?

Nothing is safe from sophisticated computer hackers.  They can gain access to just about anything -- no matter how secure we think it is. 

So how secure is a computer at a public library -- one that is available to anyone to use?  Or a computer at an internet cafe?

I don't know.  And I would hesitate to use one to conduct an eSigning.  We all know that, even a novice computer user knows how to track what URLs were recently typed into a computer.  You don't have to type the full address. Just one letter will bring up a list of all the URLs that are stored in the computer's system.

That is not the only thing stored in a computer's system.  Nothing is totally erased.  Even if you re-format a hard drive, there are ways to determine what information was contained on it. 

In essence, anything you did with that computer -- URLs typed in, keystrokes made, ... anything is available to the next user of that computer.  And being in a public place, there is no telling who was waiting for you to get off the computer so that they could use it.

I prefer to not take the chance.  If I conduct an eSigning, I prefer to use my laptop computer and equipment.  And I prefer to not do it in a public place.  I know how important it is to safeguard the sensitive information of borrowers.  So I want to do everything that I possibly can to ensure that their information remains safe.

Good luck.

One of the reasons why I switched to using a smartphone was because I wanted to eliminate some of the gadgets that I was using. 

Two of the items that I no longer have to carry are a cell phone and a PDA.  Both are essential to the work that I do as a notary signing agent, and they are contained in one device.  In short, I wanted to simplify the way I work.

The smartphone that I chose to go with was the Palm Treo 700p. 

I considered a BlackBerry, but I already had a lot of software from my Palm T|X, so I decided to stay with Palm.

In addition to being a phone and PDA, the Palm Treo 700p gives me access to the internet.  It's almost like having my laptop computer with me wherever I go.  I can send and receive email, search Google, etc. 

But the beauty of the Palm Treo 700p is that, when I do have my laptop with me, the Treo works as a smartmodem.  This is especially useful for eSignings.  I simply connect the Treo to my laptop using the sync cable.  This requires a subscription to Verizon's BroadBandAccess connect. 

There is virtually no limit to where I can access the internet. 

Even in the middle of nowhere.

The Palm Treo 700p is also my GPS.  I use the Garmin Mobile 20. It has really made finding my way to closing locations a lot simpler. Especially in remote locations.  No longer do I try to read map directions in the dark, or wonder how far it will be before I have to turn.

I simply put the borrowers address into my smartphone, attach the phone to the GPS receiver to my windshield, and let it guide me. I can still make and receive phone calls by pressing a switch on the GPS receiver.

In addition to all of that, it's a calculator, mp3 player, camera, camcorder, voice recorder, ... and a lot more.  I also can carry all of my office files such as Word, Excel, and PDF documents.

And if I have some free time between closings, I have Chess Genius installed on it to help pass the time.

"How about a nice game of Chess?"

Good luck.

I was reading about a notary signing agent who was having problems during an eSign closing.  It was at the borrower's home, and the eSigning was being done using the borrower's computer.

He was assured that their connection to the internet was fast, and that their computer was new and in good working condition.

Nevertheless

When doing an eSign closing at a remote location, I think it is always best for the notary signing agent to use their own equipment.

Only the notary signing agent can be sure that they have the necessary software and hardware, and that it works properly.  If you are using the borrower's computer, or doing the closing at a library or internet cafe, you're leaving things to chance.  Signing companies will tell the notary signing agent that they can use a library computer, or some other remote location, but I don't recommend it.

Another reason that I recommend that the notary signing agent use their own equipment is because they want to review the closing documents before they get to the closing. 

If there are any problems with the closing documents, they want to get them corrected before the closing takes place.  Trying to get problems resolved during the closing can be time consuming.  And there is no assurance that you can reach someone to make the corrections.

Good luck

If your profile is not complete, you may be overlooked by a company that is looking for a qualified closer.

I got a call from a company in need of a closer to do an eSigning.  They asked if I had a laptop computer and the necessary equipment.  I assured them I did. 

I got the assignment.

Fortunately they were interested enough to select me for the assignment.  They located me on SigningAgent.com -- the National Notary Association database of notary signing agents.

According to my profile, which I recently updated, I DID NOT have a laptop:

This company asked.  But not all companies will.

If you haven't done so already, take the time to update your profiles where you are listed, and list all of your qualifications. It could make a difference.

Good luck.

I attended the AmTrust eSign training webinar this afternoon. It was conducted by James Siemer, senior trainer in the mortgage consulting center at AmTrust.

The webinar started promptly at 2PM (EST) and lasted for about an hour. I recorded the audio portion by putting my phone on speakerphone and using my digital voice recorder.

Some of the topics discussed were the software and hardware requirements for conducting an eSign, the types of loans that are eligible for eSign, how to navigate through the electronic documents and sign them with an electronic signature, and much more.  It was a good overview of the entire eSign process.

There is an eSign Checklist that you can download from the AmTrust website that provides a lot of good information for anyone conducting an eSigning.

You can find it by clicking on the 'Selling Tools' tab at the top, then clicking on the 'Closing Agent Checklist'. You can find a lot of other information as well.  There are several brochures on that same page that you can download.

You could ask questions by clicking on the Question and Answer pane and typing in your question. I had just one question for the staff.  I wanted to know if Reverse Mortgages are eligible for eSign.  The answer I received was that they don't lend on any reverse mortgages at this time.

It was a very good webinar.  If you have had experience with eSignings it was a good refresher course.

You can check for dates of future training offered by AmTrust, as well as find a lot of useful information about esigning by clicking on the link below:

AmTrust Mortgage Banking

If you missed the webinar there is a video demo that you can watch.  Just click on 'Watch video demo' in the left column of the screen.

Good luck.

_____________________________________________________

Your computer has to have the right software to take part in the webinar, so if you attend one of these in the future, be sure to log in a few minutes early to download the necessary software.

eSign Connectivity & Hardware requirements:

• Windows XP or Vista
• Microsoft Internet 6.X or 7.0
• Adobe 6.0, 7.0 or 8.0
• Broadband Internet or Wireless network

Loans that are eSign eligible:

All conforming Fixed, Standard ARMs, and Portfolio ARMS with the following exceptions:

• Any loan with an addendum to the Note, i.e. Power of Attorney or title held in Trust
• Prepay ARMs

Perhaps you've seen the cell phone commercial in which the two kids are explaining to their parents how to operate their cell phones before sending them off to work.

It's a reality that there are many people who are bewildered by technology, and think that 'Bluetooth' is some kind of gum disease.  And keep in mind that borrowers do not choose to sign their loan documents electronically. So it should come as no surprise to notary signing agents who are conducting an eSigning that the borrowers may not understand what they are doing, or how to do it.  They may even have some apprehension about the whole process.

It's very important for the notary signing agent to be sensitive to all of this. The borrowers don't take a class on eSigning before they get to the closing.  And even for borrowers who are computer savvy, it is the role of the notary signing agent to guide the borrower through the eSigning process, and explain to them how everything is done.

The first place to start is with the confirmation call.  Make sure that the borrowers are aware that they will be signing some of their documents electronically, and let them know what that will entail.  Assure the borrowers that it is a relatively simple process, and that everything should go smoothly.  Let them know that you are totally familiar with the procedure, and that you will be able to guide them every step along the way to a successful eClosing.

Good luck.

See also: Conducting an eSigning (eClosing)

I wanted to pass this information on to any notary signing agents interested in receiving free eSigning training.

The webinar will be on Tuesday, September 23, from 11 a.m. to 12 (Pacific Time).

You can reserve your webinar seat and get more information by clicking on the following link:

AmTrust eSign Training

Good luck.

I received a call on Thursday from a woman who needed to have certified copies of a couple of German documents.  I met with her yesterday.

She called me because I know German.  But that's not the only reason.  She called because the notary at her bank refused to do it.  The reason: the documents are in German, and the notary couldn't read it.

You're not supposed to read the document.  You're supposed to copy it.

Granted, it's nice if the notary is able to read the document they're notarizing.  But a certified copy is just that:  a copy.  The notary is making a copy of the original, and certifying that it is a complete and true reproduction of the document that was copied.  So technically it doesn't matter if the document is in Hebrew, Chinese, or Sanskrit.

Since the copies of these documents were going to be sent to Germany, I used a copy certification stamp.  I also have certificates that I could have stapled to the documents.

This is how an impression of the stamp appears on a document:

There are a few procedures involved in certifying copies, and I have outlined these in a previous topic.

I keep my copy certification stamp in my briefcase at all times because I want to always be prepared if I get a request to certify copies of documents.  There are also copy certification labels that I can attach to a document:

Not all states permit notaries to certify copies, so notaries must check their state's notary laws.

see also: Certified copy or Affidavit of True Copy

We've come a long way from the days when you could buy an appliance, bring it home, plug it in, and you were ready to use it.  Nowadays it seems you have to have computer programming skills to get anything to work.

Several months ago I switched my high speed internet connection from DSL to cable.  Installing the DSL modem was a relatively simple process that I was able to do myself.  But a technician had to come to install the cable because a lot more was involved.  I was amazed at the array of tools and gadgets he brought with him.  He even had a laptop computer and various meters for testing signal strength and other things.  I almost felt sorry for him because of all the things he had to haul around in order to do his job.

But that's part of the job.

Notary Signing Agents are finding that their job requirements are changing, and the list of tools required to do our job is growing.  Things that were once considered novelties are now necessities.  I was reminded of that when I recently did an eClosing here in Colorado Springs.  Instead of going into the closing with just my briefcase, I also had to have my laptop, smartphone that I use as a modem, cords, and a few other things.  I was reminded of that cable technician.

I bought a laptop computer for my mobile office so that I could retrieve loan documents for closing assignments when I was away from the office.  It has also come in handy as a backup computer for when I'm very busy and need to do several tasks at once.  It was nice to have, but not a necessity.  The same with my Palm Treo 700p smartphone.  I got along just fine with my Motorola cell phone.  But I needed a way to access the internet with my laptop computer when Wi-Fi hotspots were not available.  These things are now necessities in order to do eSignings.

And I'm sure I haven't seen the end of it.  Using technology isn't just a nicer, faster, more convenient way of doing things.  It is a necessity.  And we are seeing that we have to be not only Notary Signing Agents.  We also have to be technicians.

Good luck.

I just received an email from one of the signing services that I recently did an eSigning for.  I registered with them after that closing, and I'm glad I did.  I'm paraphrasing, but it basically said that it is the lastest preferred vendor for a major lender that does eSign closings.

This is the way many closings will be conducted in the future.  What is happening now is similar to what happened when lenders made the transition from overnighting the loan documents to edocs.  The notary signing agents who were equipped to print the loan documents hit the ground running. Those who weren't prepared got left behind and had to catch up.  The same thing is going to happen with eSignings. 

Yes, there will still be paper closings.  But you want to have the versatility to also do eSignings.  Because if you can't, the company will find a notary signing agent who can.

This is not a theory or a dream.  E-Signings are here.

Good luck.

For more information on eSignings, see: Conducting an eSigning (eClosing)