Free Fraud Prevention & Security Questions and Answers 3

Question 1

What type of fraud involves altering a notarized document AFTER the notarization has been completed?

Accepted Answer

Post-execution alteration fraud

Answer

Post-execution alteration fraud occurs when a party modifies the document after the notary has completed the notarial certificate. This is one reason notaries are encouraged to draw a line through blank spaces on documents before notarizing.

Question 2

To prevent unauthorized use of the notary seal impression, a notary should:

Accepted Answer

Store the seal securely and keep it under the notary's exclusive control

Answer

A notary should keep their seal in a secure, locked location when not in use. The seal must never be left unattended or loaned to another person, as unauthorized use of the seal can result in fraudulent notarizations.

Question 3

A title company employee asks a notary to notarize several pre-signed mortgage documents by the borrower, who "will come in tomorrow." The notary should:

Accepted Answer

Refuse — notarizing without the signer's personal appearance is fraud

Answer

Notarizing pre-signed documents when the signer is not personally present (absent from the notarial act) is a form of absentee notarization and constitutes fraud, regardless of who is asking.

Question 4

In the context of notary security, what is a "credible witness"?

Accepted Answer

A person who personally knows the signer and can vouch for their identity to the notary

Answer

A credible witness is a person who personally knows the document signer and can vouch for the signer's identity to the notary when the signer does not have adequate ID. Most states allow one or two credible witnesses as an alternative to government-issued ID.

Question 5

Why should a notary draw a line through unused blank spaces in the notarial certificate before applying the seal?

Accepted Answer

It prevents post-completion insertion of false information into the certificate

Answer

Drawing a line through blank spaces prevents anyone from inserting false information into the certificate after the notarization is complete. This is a standard fraud-prevention practice.

Notary Public Practice Test

Notary Public Practice Test

Free Fraud Prevention & Security Questions and Answers 3