Do You Give Your Digital Signature To Your Appraisal Co.?

[Larry Lyke]

Dee Ann --

Au contraire says Larry:

I don't see why you can't give the supervisor your electronic signature if she's going to be responsible for reviewing your appraisals and executing their delivery to the client in a timely fashion.

I don't offer this advice lightly or as a convenience factor only:

-- The appraisal company is accepting equal onus for responsibility of your appraisal product.

-- Also you can look into the system anytime you want to and see what changes they made to your appraisals, opinion of value, etc.

-- You can evaluate your evaluator on an ongoing basis to determine what's going on.

-- Misuse of your signature by your "employer" exhonorates you because the appraisal company is demanding that you do this as a condition of "work." ]Having said that, you, of course, you will pull the plug immediately upon learning anything untoward. If it's something illegal, you will notify the state board.

Surely they ought to be telling you of any changes they make to your appraisals, about technique, text and certainly opinion of value. I would hope you are in some sort of OJT-coaching arrangement.

If you can't abide most of the above, it's probably about time to consider bailing out -- before any budding animosity blooms.

Best o'luck.

 

[aprazer]

First of all they do not NEED you password to review your reports, only to change something. Any revision needed should be done by you, and not by anyone else. I am assuming you are the only person signing the report. It was not clear, but why would they take the cost of this out of your pocket? The cost isn't that much and they should pay for it.

It sounds like there is no mutual trust, which is the best reason not to give it to them. But as someone pointed out, it is easy to change a report anyway. Digital signature or not. Try talking to some other appraisers who also work for them, and see if they have given up their passwords. More importantly, ask how this is used or abused.

 

[David S. Roberson]

Sure, why not? I'll send them mine too if they need it.

 

[pgerarde]

I would NEVER give access to my digital signature.

As for the review excuse...

A few years back I worked split fee with another appraisal company. I sent the appraisal to the office for review using the PDF format. After review it was returned to me with a form noting any corrections or possbile problems. At that time I attached my digital signature and sent a signed copy to the lender and to the office for their files. If I gave them access to my digital signature it would be like letting them sign my name...I am sure that is against the law...if not...it is diffenently against MY ETHICS.

Go find another appraisal company to work with...the price for working with them is TOO HIGH.

Good Luck and keep looking.

Patti in Chino Valley, Arizona

 

[Larry Lyke]

Dee Ann --

I just re-read your original post. There may be something else going on here which isn't so apparent.

Your appraisal company may be making changes to your reports as they "review them" in production mode [reading them on the computer]..

Most companies and solo practitioners have methods of production. I know I do. And am quite religious about them. I think of them as quality control rigors.

And, as the guy above said, look around and find out how the other appraisers in your company are handling the covenant. Otherwise, you're making a individual statement to little avail.

To make a statement that you have different standards that don't accommodate your "employer" is somewhat specious if you don't have a job. Unless, of course, you're right and they're wrong.

 

[Frederick R. Ruffell]

No, not, never. USPAP violation (see SMT-8). You and only you are the one to actually make any changes to a report (trainee with supervisor signature excepted). Why do you think there is a password for the signature in the first place??? That's right... it is to prevent anybody from signing your name (and the license, E & O, reputation etc. that goes with it ) to a report. Your initial instinct was correct. Get the Lic. number of the person asking for you password and report them to the board and/or ask them to put the request in writing and to specifically address USPAP SMT-8.

 

[Frederick R. Ruffell]

Somehow I used a smily face instead of a number 8. my previous post was ment to refer to USPAP SMT-8

 

[Randy Beigh]

Dee Ann

I run an appraisal company with employees. The employer should, indeed, have your codes. There are several reasons for that and none of them are illegal or wrong. These include, but are not limited, to such things as adding a supervisors signature after the fact, resolving appraisal issues when the appraiser is not available or has moved on, resolving little issues that are not appraisal oriented such as name or address corrections including typos.

The other appraisers in the office have no business having access to the other appraisers codes, but the supervisor does need access to everyone's codes.

What is not clear in your post is if you are an employee. It sounds like you may be, but I'm not sure. For starters, instead of assuming the worst as some have done in this thread, ask the supervisor why. And if you still don't understand ask him to show you an example. I doubt that there is any deep seated reason to conspire against his employee and if it is, it won't take long for you to figure it out.

 

[Larry Lyke]

Frederick --

Would you be good enough to cite the line numbers in USPAP '02 you used in support of your comments on Smt-8 above.

Thanks.

 

[Jo Ann Meyer Stratton]

Statement 8 was retired July 2001 and is no longer in the 2002 USPAP. It would be a good item to refer too and I continue to use a similar statement regarding digital signatures in all my reports. My current canned statement after July, 2001 reads: " The software programs used to transfer the report electronically provide digital signature security features for the appraiser signing this report. The appraiser that has signed (affixed an electornic signature) to this report has ensured that the signature(s) is/are protected and the appraiser has maintained control of the signature. Electronically affixing a signature to a report carries the same level of authenticity and responsibility as an original ink signature on a paper copy report."

Statement 8 was on page 94 of the 2001 USPAP, adopted July 18, 1995, Revised September 16, 1998 and retired June 12, 2001. See page 104 in 2002 USPAP.