The overpayment check
The classic scam sends a check for more than the job costs, then asks you to deposit it and send back the difference or pay a third party. The check later bounces, and you are responsible for the money you sent. A deposit that looks cleared is not final.
Never send money back from an unfamiliar customer. Legitimate customers do not need you to pay a third party.
Even certified checks and money orders can be fake. A bank teller accepting a deposit does not mean the funds are good.
Banks make funds available quickly by law, but they can reverse a deposit when the check fails to clear, often days or weeks later.
Fake signing jobs
Scammers pose as signing services and offer a big payment for a quick job. They ask you to buy supplies from a specific vendor, pay for training or cover a deposit, then disappear. Real signing companies pay you, not the reverse.
Be careful with offers that arrive by text or social media from numbers you do not know.
A real signing job pays after you deliver. If a company wants money from you before sending a package, treat it as a red flag.
Pressure and urgency
Scammers insist you must act now, skip your usual procedures or avoid talking to others. They may ask you to notarize without the signer present, or to pre-stamp documents for later. Any request to cut corners threatens your commission.
If something feels rushed, slow down and verify.
Write down three questions you will always ask a new customer, such as who is signing and where. Scammers often dodge simple questions.
Verifying a company
Search for the company's name, address and reviews. Call the number from an independent source, not from the message. Check whether the company is registered in its state and whether the contact person exists. Ask for a written agreement before travel.
A real business will accept simple verification steps.
Reverse image search a company's logo and staff photos. Fake sites often copy images from real businesses.
Protecting your commission
Never lend your stamp, share your account logins or send photos of your stamp or ID. A scammer with an image of your stamp can create forged documents. If your tools are stolen or compromised, report to the commissioning office.
Keep records of every job request, including those you decline.
Do not email photos of your stamp or journal. Share only what the commissioning office or a verified customer requests.
If you were targeted
If you deposited a suspicious check, tell your bank right away and stop sending funds. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission and to local authorities. Tell the commissioning office if your notary identity was used. Learn from the experience and share warning signs with other notaries.
Share your story with the notary community. Warnings travel fast and protect the next person.
Common questions
Can a bank take back a cleared check?
Yes. A check can be returned after the funds appear in your account, and you are responsible for the loss.
Should I pay for a notary job directory?
Research first. Some are legitimate and many make false promises. Never pay anyone who promises income.
More notary guides
- Common Notary Scams and How Signers Can Avoid Them
- Cash-Out Refinance Signing: A Practical Checklist
- Wire Fraud at Closing: How Buyers and Sellers Stay Safe
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Fees and procedures change; check with the office involved or an attorney for your situation.