What should a notary do if they suspect fraud during a notarization?

When a notary suspects fraud during a notarization, the appropriate action is to refuse the notarization and report the suspicions. This response is grounded in the notary's responsibility to ensure that all signatures and documents presented for notarization are genuine and that the parties involved are acting in good faith. If a notary believes that the signer may be engaging in fraudulent activity, proceeding with the notarization could facilitate that fraud, leading to potential legal complications for the notary and others involved.

By refusing the notarization, the notary not only protects themselves but also upholds the integrity of the notarization process. Following this, reporting the suspicions to the appropriate authorities or parties helps maintain accountability and can assist in further investigations, if necessary. In addition, refusing the notarization is aligned with best practices and ethical guidelines that govern notarial acts, as it allows the notary to distance themselves from any potential illegal activity.

This course of action highlights the notary's role as a gatekeeper against misuse of documents and reinforces the importance of vigilance and integrity in the notarization process.