Scam Used Forged Appraiser's Signature

[Michigander]

Jo Ann, I really like your language:

DIGITAL SIGNATURE:
The software programs used to transfer the report electronically to the client provide digital signature security features for the appraiser signing the report. In the process of transferring the report to the client, the appraiser that has signed (affixed an electronic signature) to this report has ensured that the signature was protected and the appraiser 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. Per Fannie Mae guidelines in Section 203, a lender may accept an appraisal report that is transmitted electronically. The lender is to represent and warrant to Fannie Mae that the appraisal report was created by the appraiser identified on the appraisal report and that the appraisal report is the complete and unaltered report submitted by the identified appraiser

Do you mind if I use this????

 

[Jo Ann Meyer Stratton]

Feel free to use any variation of my paragraph that you would like too--after all I borrowed bits and pieces from other appraisers to begin with!

 

[Michigander]

thanks!

I was reading somewhere that we don't need to have digital signature language (can't find it now) on our appraisals, because the courts have accepted (again, need that reference that I can't find) a digital signature as the same as a hand-written one.

anyone hear of that? know what I'm talking about?

 

[Jo Ann Meyer Stratton]

Statement 8 in USPAP was retired because of the laws passed by congress several years ago. However, I continue to have the above paragraph for the benefit of those loan processors or loan officers or underwriters that are still sending their messages by smoke signals and are not aware of the electronic age. I also found the reference in Fannie Mae guidelines that make it the responsibility of the lender to verify that the signature is the original appraisers. When I read that I decide I would throw that in in preparation for a defense in case my signature ever got forged or my report revised. So although the paragraph really isn't necessary--it just more proactive defense on my part than something somebody requires.

 

[Pat Butler]

http://www.pdfzone.com/news/101863.html

 

[xm39hnu]

Originally posted by Pat Butler@Nov 22 2003, 12:47 PM
http://www.pdfzone.com/news/101863.html

Pat, take a little trip to Elcomsoft's website. they disagree with Adobe rather strongly.

 

[Alan Simmons]

Rachel:

During the summer of 2000, Bill Clinton signed the “Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.” This bill gave digital signatures (bitmap or such) the same legal status as traditional signatures.

This is also about the time that the electronic security requirements of USPAP were eliminated. Maybe a direct result of the above.

Quick heads up: In the world of computer security a digital signature is NOT the bitmap of your hard signature. An encrypted message digest (message hash value) is called a digital signature. Hash coding is the process that uses a mathematical algorithm to calculate a unique security number for a message (PDF). The two meaning seem to be in wide use and some people tend to get them confused. I think some people mistakenly think that the bitmap also includes the (hash) security benefits somehow.