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I'm Not a Criminal, Are You?... Prove It!

Today I was forced to prove I wasn't a criminal. No, not to the FBI, the Overland Park Police Department or even the 80-year-old security officer at the mall. I had to provide irrefutable evidence of my upstanding citizenship by furnishing a copy of my driver's license to a LENDER!

This company is not just any lender, though... definitely not a "mom & pop" mortgage shop. It happens to be subsidiary of one of the largest lenders in the US. Let's call them "Company A." I was informed that without proof of my "good guy status," we would be unable to close.

At first, I was somewhat irritated because my financial stake in this transaction is limited to my compensation as a licensed Realtor so I couldn't understand what they would need with MY identification. [Clarification: I am the LISTING AGENT in this situation.] That initial frustration was soon replaced by confusion after I was unable to receive a satisfactory explanation about the situation.

After an hour or so of being unable to determine what was going on, I was finally able to contact one of my trusted mortgage professionals, who just happens to work for "Company A." He chuckled as I explained my predicament and said that he has been hearing quite a few similar stories lately.

In a nutshell, someone with my name is on the Federal Housing Administration "blacklist" or whatever they call it. According to my trusted professional, the list is filled with serious FHA offenders including a number of felons. To cover its behind, the lender needs my identification to ensure that I (Good Jonathan) am not the person on the list (Bad Jonathan). In the end, it actually made sense to me.

However, if this list is anything like the TSA's "No-Fly" list I'm going to have to prove I'm not "Bad Jonathan" for the rest of my real estate career. That's very, very unfortunate.

Has anyone else been asked to provide identification while acting solely as an agent?

Posted by Jonathan Bell on 06/10/2009 09:24 PM

Comments (12)

FHA in the Mortgage / Finance Channel

real estate, fha, mortgage, lender, buyer, listing, loan, criminal, overland park, gotham realty group, keller williams realty, leawood

Originally posted at: Mr Gotham's World: From Central Park to Overland Park: I'm Not a Criminal, Are You?... Prove It!

Post is included in group: Twitter
Post is included in group: Keller Williams 'Rainers

12 Comments on I'm Not a Criminal, Are You?... Prove It!

JUN

Jonathan, sorry to hear that. It is a long process to get off those lists, but with persistence it can be accomplished. Best of luck to you.

lol. No I have not for mortgage. But for a job, I was turned down because I was behind in my doctor bill payments....The job was McDonalds as part time to get thorugh the rough times...lol..I could not believe I was turned down at minimum wage job because of my credit report....well duh...if I am looking to work at Mcdonald's, it means I have already hit rock bottom and willing to do anything to keep my bills from getting further behind...

Hi Jonathan~ I thought with the patriot act, or something like that, that everyone had to show their ID in order to complete the mortgage or bank loan process. They ask for it regardless of whether or not you may be on the blacklist.

I'm so sorry. After I re-read my post I realized that I wasn't very clear. I am the AGENT in this situation. I have never been asked for my identification as the AGENT in a transaction. That is what was so confusing to me. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

I had to give my SS recently to the bank in a short sale transaction, as the listing agent . . . receiving and providing info to/from the bank. That's how they ID authorized parties.

Good Jonathan,

I can relate to being on the TSA no-fly list. I, or else named Wayne Johsnon was on a list of some sort used by American Airlines. Only American had an issue with my name. I tried to get explanations too as to why. No other issues with any other carrier. Eventually it got worked out, but it's no fun holding up the line, and having your fellow passengers give you the evil eye.

Jonathan, Sorry to hear about your ordeal. I have come across it now and then with buyers. Sometimes our buyers have common names in whatever country they are from. When the bank who holds our escrow monies check that infamous list - a name will come up as being the same. Then we have to do back to the buyers and ask for a social security number to see if they are in deed the bad person on the list. Our banks say because of the Patriot Act, if a person declines to provide the necessary information, they can not deposit the earnest money. I know it can be embarrassing for both the agents and the clients. It's going to keep happening more and more. So I would not get to upset unless they think you are the bad bad person....

JUN

Jonathan,

They say everyone has a double. In your case it is a name. It is very unfortunate. My ex has someone with the same name as him. What happened was he received a traffic violation summons from Arizona, and he was never in Arizona. He had to prove that he was not in that state at that time. As long as you are the good Jonathan, I wouldn't worry about it. Just make sure you have your license on hand at all times. LOL

Brigita

I'm so sorry and I suggest you keep your copy of your records and just send them in everytime, just to save yourself the time and trouble. Are they willing to pay the extra cost that is incurred by your buyers or sellers for delays?

JUN

Jonathan...

First of all I want you to know I'm not laughing at you I'm laughing with you. There's a good TLW and bad TLW you know :)

Here in Florida it's not uncommon to be asked for I.D. by a title company. I like the idea that some behinds are being covered. If they started doing things like this to begin with maybe mortgage fraud wouldn't have become the animal it became :)

TLW...ROAR!

JUN

Well now Jonathan....it's good for all of us here on Active Rain to finally know we're only dealing with the "good" Jonathan. Congrats on your confirmed GOOD status...LOL Funny story (I think ;-)

JUN

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