Identity protection and fraud deterrence coming in robust, convenient new program called SureDocs

Written by on January 25, 2007

Protecting your identity and the integrity of the data in your reports is a constant concern.  To help you do that we’ve built Appraiser SureDocs. It will debut as a “public beta” – meaning you can try it for free, and provide (we hope) unfiltered feedback on the product – starting January 30.

Appraiser SureDocs is a powerful tool you can use to protect your identity and the integrity of your reports, as well as maintain control over your intellectual property.

When signing with SureDocs, it inserts a unique serial number above each signature that represents the name, date, subject, signatories, appraised value, pages and other items in the report.  This serial number changes each time a signature is applied, and points back to a record of the report on the SureDocs server.  This protects you against having your signature lifted and applied to other reports, and against data being altered in reports you’ve completed.

Let’s say you do a report on 123 Oak Street and use SureDocs to sign and deliver the report.  SureDocs tracks unique data points like your name, inspection date, subject address, signatories and final value.  When signed in SureDocs, a unique serial number is assigned and displayed on the report next to the signature.  The signed report, the serial number and all the data points are then stored on a secure SureDocs server.

Now fast forward six months.  The real estate deal on 123 Oak Street is under investigation for fraud.  The review board, FBI agent or attorney doing the investigation calls you to verify the validity and authenticity of the report.  You patiently point out to the investigator that in the report is an addendum (inserted by SureDocs) that explains where a person can go to verify the authenticity of the report.  Simply visit a la mode’s SureDocs website, click the “Verify a Doc” link, enter the serial number next to the signature in the report and the signer’s name.  The tracked data points can then be seen by the investigator and the appraiser can be cleared of any wrongdoing.

You’ll be hearing about SureDocs next week when it goes to public beta, and you’ll be able to view a website with tons of information about the benefits of the program.  It can replace WinTOTAL’s digital signatures, or be used standalone outside WinTOTAL formfilling software or appraiser XSites websites – it’s just like a printer driver.  It’s GLB compliant.  It will help you watermark your work for copyright protection if you choose.  We think you and the profession will benefit in a huge way from SureDocs and we look forward to hearing your feedback once it’s out.