Bulletin: NL000042

Date:
September 21, 1994
To:
All Issuing Offices
RE:
Mailaway Program\Prevent Forgeries and Documentation Alteration

Dear Associates:

Before you mail documents to a seller or a buyer to be signed, decide to prevent forgeries and document alterations. You should always attempt to mail documents to a Stewart Title Agent or Approved Attorney in that city, or, if none, to a bank in the area. Never mail closing documents directly to the parties for a notarized signature.

Stewart Title Guaranty Company requires the following:

  1. Contact a Stewart Agent or Approved Attorney in the mailaway area who is willing to cooperate. The local state or district Stewart Manager will be happy to help you locate an agent. If none is available, contact a bank to verify identity, notarize your customer's signature, and return documents to you via pre-paid Express Mail service or via a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

  2. Advise your customer of the date and place to go to sign the documents and get the required notarization, and the name of the person who has the documents. Confirm the date and place of signature and notarization by letter (if there is time) or by telephone or FAX.

  3. In a foreign country, designate the American Embassy.

  4. Send the documents to the Stewart Agent, Approved Attorney, bank or American Embassy with a cover letter stating:

    a. A list of documents enclosed;

    b. Requirement of either a driver's license or passport for verification of identity of party signing documents;

    c. Documents cannot be changed without your verbal permission which will be confirmed in writing - if a change is necessary.

    d. Documents should be returned by Agent or bank in the enclosed Express Mail, overnight service envelope, or by mail if time allows.

  5. Contact the Agent or bank by telephone to verify receipt of the documents.

  6. Review the returned documents to ascertain there are no alterations before recording.

These actions will prevent losses from forgeries and altered documents. Your cooperation is imperative to protecting your profits.

THIS BULLETIN IS FURNISHED TO INFORM YOU OF CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS. AS A REMINDER, YOU ARE CHARGED WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE CONTENT ON VIRTUAL UNDERWRITER  AS IT EXISTS FROM TIME TO TIME AS IT APPLIES TO YOU, AS WELL AS ANY OTHER INSTRUCTIONS. OUR UNDERWRITING AGREEMENTS DO NOT AUTHORIZE OUR ISSUING AGENTS TO ENGAGE IN SETTLEMENTS OR CLOSINGS ON BEHALF OF STEWART TITLE GUARANTY COMPANY. THIS BULLETIN IS NOT INTENDED TO DIRECT YOUR ESCROW OR SETTLEMENT PRACTICES OR TO CHANGE PROVISIONS OF APPLICABLE UNDERWRITING AGREEMENTS. CONFIDENTIAL, PROPRIETARY, OR NONPUBLIC PERSONAL INFORMATION SHOULD NEVER BE SHARED OR DISSEMINATED EXCEPT AS ALLOWED BY LAW. IF APPLICABLE STATE LAW OR REGULATION IMPOSES ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS, YOU SHOULD CONTINUE TO COMPLY WITH THOSE REQUIREMENTS.

References

Bulletins Replaced:
None
Related Bulletins:
None
Underwriting Manual:
6.36 Forgeries
Exceptions Manual:
None
Forms:
None