Presentation TitleSubtitle if applicable

Presenter Name, Presenter TitlePresenter Name, Presenter TitlePresenter Name, Presenter Title

Session Number 000

Placing Safety First:Protecting Yourself at a Loan Signing Appointment

Dushunna F. Scott, CEO/Owner of Lady Scott EnterprisesNSA/Electronic Notary Public/Mobile Notary

Dushunna F. ScottB.S. Criminal Justice w/ Concentration in Crime Scene Investigation

A.A.S. Administration of Justice

CEO, Lady Scott Enterprises, LLCo LSE officially a business in February 2016

o Notary Signing Agent since 2012

o Business Office located in Richmond, VA

• NSA

• Electronic Notary Public (Notarize)

• Mobile Notary

• Fieldprint Vendor

• Virtual Assistant

• C.A.M. & Friends

• And More!!!

Senior Deputy Sheriff• Began Career in Criminal Justice in 2008

o Jail Officer 2008-2010

• Housing Unity Security

• Records & Classification

• Transportation

Senior Deputy Sheriff– Deputy Sheriff (2010-present)

• General Instructor

• Field Training Officer

• Courtroom/Judicial Security

• Civil Process

• Transportation/Extraditions

• Central Control Operator

• Unit Accreditation Liaison

DISCLAIMER

This presentation or any information herein is not being made on behalf of any law enforcement entity or agency.

This course and its materials are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.

Objectives• Induce and/or enhance a safety mindset while at loan

signings.

• Give you safety tips that you can use before, during, and after loan signings and Mobile Notary appointments.

Why do bad things happen?

Opportunity Means Incident Occurs

Question???When should the NSA/Mobile Notary become safety

conscious?

1. Before the signing?

2. During the signing?

3. After the signing?

Answer• NSA/Mobile Notary should BECOME safety conscious

BEFORE the signing but should remain safety conscious throughout the entire process!!!

• Safety consciousness should begin at the time you receive the order confirmation! You want to collect as much information as possible before the actual signing!

• Order confirmation is packed with information! It gives you:

– Date/Time

– Borrower’s Name

– Address

– Type of Signing to Be Conducted

Date & Time of Signing• Early morning vs. evening or night

• Monday vs. Friday

Borrower’s Name• Do you recognize the name? (News, social media, etc.)

• Single party or dual signing?

Borrower’s Address• What type of neighborhood?

• What part of town?

• High crime area or little to no crime?

Type of Signing• Approximately how long will it take me to complete this

signing?

Sex Offender Registry• Conduct a FREE “background check”

o Is the person(s) a sex offender?

• (Your) State Police Sex Offender Registry

sex-offender.vsp.virginia.gov/ (VA EXAMPLE)

Online Judicial System Database• Does the person have a criminal background?

o (Your State) Judicial System (Online)

o http://www.courts.state.va.us/caseinfo/ (VA EXAMPLE)

• Can search General District Court and Circuit Court for most counties

• Shows current and past charges and their dispositions

• Even shows traffic violations

Inmate Locators• Has the borrower(s) been incarcerated before?

o Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator

• Gives current and previous incarceration history

• https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/

o State Department of Corrections Website

Google• Google is a great resource that has a wealth of information.

However, Google may or may not be a reliable source.

Now That You Know…• Now, YOU have to weigh the risks and determine if this signing is right for YOU!• Keep in mind:

– Conducting the “background check” is for your information and shouldn’t be taken out of context. It is NOT to be discussed with the borrower(s), Title/Signing Company.

• Example: Assault and battery

– People may have a checkered past. Many people make dumb mistakes in their youth. Could be totally different today. However, the opposite could also be true. This information is for you to keep in the back of your mind so that you will know who/what you’re dealing with. After all, you are going into their home!

Making the Call• So, you’ve done your “background check” and now it’s time to call the

borrower(s) to confirm the appointment. • What type of information are we gathering during the call?

• Is the tone of the call aggressive or friendly?• Is the caller coherent?

• Is the caller aware that the signing is to take place at the specific date/time?• Dual signing? If not, ask if the husband/wife will be present just in case a

signature is needed.• Will there be pets?*

*IF you are not a pet-friendly person, you may request that the pets be put in a separate location for signing.

Arriving at the Signing Location• Upon arriving at the signing location, (BEFORE you get out of

your vehicle) let down your window and LISTEN!

• You are listening for anything that sounds out of the ordinary.

– Yelling/Screaming

– Dogs or other pets

– Loud noises (banging/thumping, gun shots)

• As you approach the home, you will continue to LISTEN!

What’s the Environment Like?Is the Environment…• Welcoming

• Calm/peaceful

• Home neatly organized

• Borrowers friendly, on same accord, and ready to complete the signing

Is the Environment…• Awkward

• Aggressive

• Unpleasant

• Unwelcoming

• Home in disarray

• Borrowers bickering

During the Signing1. Always go with your gut feeling! IF it doesn’t feel right, IT’S NOT RIGHT!!!2. During the signing, look around the home. Do you see anything that sends up a

red flag?3. Do you see anything that could be used as a weapon against you?4. What egress options are available? Think: “IF I can’t get out of the front door,

what is my second option?”5. You should also be thinking what your move will be should an attack occur.6. Size up your opponent! Have a plan of “attack” in mind. If you don’t have to use it,

then it was a good signing!7. Have a “Rocky” mentality! Going home to your family is your priority! 8. Make good eye contact with borrower(s) and be CONFIDENT!9. Continue to LISTEN! Is someone else in the home? Did someone pull up

outside?

After the Signing• After the signing is complete, it’s now time for you to head

back out to your car. While doing so, you should:1. Continue to LISTEN! 2. Don’t procrastinate. Gather your things, wish the borrower(s)

well, and go! 3. Try to position yourself so that the borrower(s) escort you out.

Try to avoid someone being behind you. 4. Pay attention to your surroundings while walking back to the

car. Again, did someone pull up while you were inside?

Should You Carry a Weapon to a Loan Signing?1. You MUST know the law(s) of your state regarding gun carry and/or

weapons.2. Be mindful that there’s a mindset that goes along with carrying a weapon.3. Don’t let the “background check” over-influence your decision-making.4. You have to consider the fact that you are going into someone’s home with

a weapon.• How are you storing/carrying the weapon?

• Are the borrower’s comfortable or edgy with your gun carry?

• Are there children?

• Are there pets?

• Is it accessible to them?