Old boss changed report and signed my name.

[Wendy]

I wonder how many trainees, not coming forward as they are terrified of consequences, have heaps of solid proof that they were working for total scumbags?

 

[wickedness1]

I wonder how many trainees, not coming forward as they are terrified of consequences, have heaps of solid proof that they were working for total scumbags?

Wendy, this is exactly why the states have to allow annonymous complaints.

 

[Don Clark]

Wendy, this is exactly why the states have to allow annonymous complaints.

My state of Virginia does allow anonymous complaints. Problem is, how can you file a complaint and remain anonymous when you are involved? By that I mean, you are filing a complaint against a supervisor who did something you do not like to a report that you completed. Hard to truely be anonymous. My state also takes action against supervisors who don't really supervise:

http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/regulantlookup/disciplinaryactions/pdf_orders/2006-02416_4001001799.pdf

 

[Wendy]

Wendy, this is exactly why the states have to allow annonymous complaints.

That's good for some stuff, but who would send in an anonymous complaint on a report that has their name on it too?

A lot of these trainees do not know that the supervisor is a scumbag right off the bat. Once (if) they wise up and move on they still have the fear of that old work hanging over them.

 

[JonGalt]

Everyone on here has made some good points, and also in private messages to me. All the reasons I haven't done much is because I'm worried about what could happen to me. The state will more than likely look at the ones I did under him, and may say that I can't count the hours anymore, and I wonder if my license could be in jeopardy. Maybe I should let sleeping dogs lye and let Karma get him. The lady that called from the state didn't act too interested anyway. I would love to take him down just for revenge sake and cause what appraisers like him do to the rest of us and the industry. But I worry what can happen to me. I've been thinking about grad school and just getting into a new industry, I've been doing this full time since Oct 2005 and I'm about over it, especially with all that is happening and heck, business is really slow anyway. I've taken a part time job because of the lack of work. From what I read a lot of others on here have as well or are leaving all together. I really wonder if it will be worth all the mess and hassel it'll probably cause for me.

While I understand your worries about how it will affect you, please do the right thing. Too many appraisers think only of themselves and lack the courage to do the right thing in these cases which has helped lead us to the state of affairs we're currently in with the fraudsters and skippsters being the most successful while the ethical, honest, compitent appraisers are on the brink of ruin. I'm fairly certain any state board would understand what happened to you and the fact that you turned in the fraudulant activity would probably go a long way towards relieving you of punishment while it will probably rid the industry of a crook and send a strong message to other crooked appraisers who are abusing trainees and driving down fees and ooportunities for trainees to work with appraisers who would be solid, ethical mentors.

Now if that report goes to the state at a later time and you said nothing, it could end up very bad for you indeed.

Someone told me saying a long time ago:The easy way is the hard way and the hard way is the easy way. Makes sense to me.

 

[McPheeters]

California will slap you with $1000 fine for each instance your sig was used without your knowledge/permission, and full USPAP class. AND, they consider it forgery on the part of the person who used it. I know of one appraiser whose license was revoked because of using someone's sig w/o permission.

And how does Cali feel about sending reports unlocked and without a signature affixed, allowing the client to do with it (the signature) whatever they want?

 

[wickedness1]

That's good for some stuff, but who would send in an anonymous complaint on a report that has their name on it too?

A lot of these trainees do not know that the supervisor is a scumbag right off the bat. Once (if) they wise up and move on they still have the fear of that old work hanging over them.

You are so very right & the report my hubby sent did not have his name on it. But I am sure there are other reports in which we wish his name wasn't on it! Same scenerio, we didn't realize the scumbag we were dealing with-- we sure do now though!

 

[McPheeters]

Once again, I pose the question: individual state laws not withstanding, where does it state that an appraiser "must retain" control of their signature?

 

[wickedness1]

Once again, I pose the question: individual state laws not withstanding, where does it state that an appraiser "must retain" control of their signature?

Paul, USPAP's definition of signature states:

"personalized evidence indicating authentication for the work performed by the appraiser and the acceptance of the responsibility for content, analyses, and the conclusions in the report."

COMMENT: A signature can be represented by a handwritten mark, a digitized image controlled by a personal identification number, or other media, where the appraiser has sole personal control of affixing the signature.

Taken from USPAP 2005 Edition, page 4 lines 154-158 under definition of the word signature as defined by USPAP.



No one can stop identity theft or fraud, but in this case she acknowledges giving them permission to access her signature in WinTotal.

 

[McPheeters]

Paul, USPAP's definition of signature states:

"personalized evidence indicating authentication for the work performed by the appraiser and the acceptance of the responsibility for content, analyses, and the conclusions in the report."

COMMENT: A signature can be represented by a handwritten mark, a digitized image controlled by a personal identification number, or other media, where the appraiser has sole personal control of affixing the signature.

Taken from USPAP 2005 Edition, page 4 lines 154-158 under definition of the word signature as defined by USPAP.



No one can stop identity theft or fraud, but in this case she acknowledges giving them permission to access her signature in WinTotal.

Thats not a Rule, thats a definition..........anyone else?