By Lisa A. Tyler
National Escrow Administrator

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. We have published stories about romance scams and other ways fraudsters target people online. Recently, one of our offices identified another type of online scam, it is referred to as an inheritance scam. Read "LONG lost uncle jack" for the details of the scam.

All sorts of schemes and scams are back in action. Nationwide, our offices are being presented with fake checks. Do not become a victim. It is important to never let your guard down. Do not disburse against anything other than unconditionally collected funds. This story demonstrates how patience pays off. Read "THEY'RE baaack" for all the details.

Electronic signatures have been used and relied upon for as many as 100 years. The first type of electronic signatures occurred using Morse code and the telegraph, which were both used to electronically accept terms of contracts. Now, virtually everyone eSigns daily. eSigning is even being utilized on legal documents. Read this month's cyber buzz article entitled "REMOTE online notarization (RON) versus electronic notarization" to learn how notaries can offer eSigning options to signers.