With Consumer Protections Fading, Notaries Must Step Up Against Fraud

There are three tenets that helped me flourish in this business as a notary entrepreneur:

One, being a mobile notary gave me a flexible schedule, unchained from any desk or cubicle, so I could be free to do more of the things I enjoy with the people I love. 

Second, it provides a truly unlimited opportunity to earn revenue in seemingly endless ways. 

And third, providing an essential service that helps people is something we can be proud of. 

We are, in fact, the last line of defense against fraud and identity theft. 

Especially in today’s marketplace. 

Consumer protection is eroding. The safety nets that once existed are vanishing faster than  free pens at a notary networking event.

Recent cuts to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the agency that was supposed to crack down on predatory lenders and shady financial dealings after the whole 2008 debacle, have left a gaping hole in the fight against fraud. 

And guess who’s standing right at the edge of that hole, preventing people from falling in?

You.

As a notary, you’re not just stamping paper. You play a critical role against mortgage fraud, identity theft, and straight-up deception. And now that some of the big regulatory watchdogs have been muzzled, your role is more important than ever.

The Rise of Fraud and Why You Matter

With fewer eyes watching, fraudsters get bolder. Fake IDs, coercion, and forged signatures, will  all likely be on the rise. In real estate and financial transactions, one bad signature can wreck lives.

But it's harder to slide fraudulent situations past a notary who knows their stuff.

You don’t just witness signatures. You verify. You question. You ensure that the person signing knows exactly what they’re doing, and that they’re doing it willingly. It’s okay to be, as my friend and founder of CoachMeLaura.com, Laura Biewer, describes as a, “nosy notary.”

Better to be nosy than lazy.

A nosy notary asks the extra question, takes the extra second to verify, and doesn’t let small details slide. But a lazy notary assumes everything’s fine and moves on. Only one of these protects their clients and their own reputation.

Defending Against Fraud

We don’t know yet what the implications or ramifications will be for neutralizing these consumer protection divisions. But, rest assured, we’ll know soon enough. 

While we can’t control what happens at the CFPB, and we can’t control how fraudsters adapt,  we can control how we show up as notaries.

And we have to be realistic here, right? As important as our role as notaries public may be, we are clearly not the ones making the decisions. We have limited control, and if you haven’t yet read Mel Robbins’ book, The Let Them Theory, I highly recommend it for times like these. 

You can’t control other people’s thoughts or actions, and believing you can causes lots of stress, and stress causes lots of other problems, including sucking the joy out of life and this business you love. People are going to do what they’re going to do.

Let them. 

But the best part of this “Let Them Theory” is the second half of the equation:

Let Me. 

This is the part you can control. Your own actions. 

So, since the feds aren’t stepping up, here’s how you can:

Be the Identity Gatekeeper

Don’t just glance at IDs, actually inspect them. Hold them up to the light. Ask questions if something seems off. If your gut says, “Something’s fishy,” listen to it.

Watch for Signs of Coercion

Is the signer acting nervous? Are they hesitating, looking at someone else for approval before signing? That’s a red flag. If you suspect someone’s being pressured, pause the signing and ask direct questions. 

Document Everything

A detailed journal isn’t just a legal requirement in some states, it’s your best friend. Date, time, signer’s details, type of ID used, and any unusual behavior you noticed. The more thorough you are, the harder it is for fraud to slip through. Not to mention, this might cover your ass in court one day. 

Refuse the Job if It Feels Wrong

Just because someone waves cash at you doesn’t mean you have to take the gig. If a deal feels shady, walk away. No amount of income is worth getting caught up in fraud and risking your commission, integrity, and all of your future revenue as a notary entrepreneur. 

Stay Sharp and Keep Learning

Fraudsters evolve, and so should you. Stay updated on new scams, fake ID trends, and changes in the law. If you’re not part of a community of notary professionals who share insights, find one. And, for the love of all that is, please understand what it means to be a good notary in your state. Part of integrity is understanding what you can do, and what you cannot do as a notary public. 

No Exceptions

And, a final piece of advice: Don’t make exceptions to the rules, even for people you know, like, and trust. This is where many notaries get bit. Friends, family, neighbors, bosses tell you some detailed story about why their Uncle Bob can’t be there to sign in front of you, but he signed it already and it’s “all good.” 

Don’t trust the sob story (or the Bob story) that urges you to bypass the rules. 

Own Your Role, Be the Shield

Right now, in this moment, your role as a notary is more important than ever. While government agencies and consumer protection bureaus weaken, you must remain strong. Your public (as in Notary Public) is counting on you. 

You’re the gatekeeper. The fraud stopper. The knight in shining armor, pen and seal in hand, who stands between a scammer and an innocent victim. 

As my friend and HPN member, Selecia Young-Jones says, we’re the “white hats” in this movie, the good guys. 

Take pride in that.

And most importantly, own it.

If you want to sharpen your fraud-fighting skills, connect with other white-hat notaries, and get hired more and referred more, join us inside High Performance Notary. Your public is counting on you.

Learn more about HPN here