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Original poster

Have I been hoodwinked into signing a document?

109 replies

MrsHench · 26/08/2024 18:02

Any legal/citizen advice welcome-TIA
In hindsight I feel really stupid for doing this.
Why am I feeling duped? A Colleague of mine asked me to sign a personal document for her during work time. She said I was just witnessing her signature. But she kinda poo pooed it when i asked what it was, as if it was none of my business. I think it's to do with her new flat which she's moved into recently. I obliged but then had to put my home address also which I wasn't really happy about. I was going to put my workplace address but she just laughed it off as if i was stupid. I've only been in the job 2 months and now I'm wondering why she didn't ask one of the other colleagues who she's know much longer. Why me and why not wait til the next day? What was the urgency with this?
We hardly know each other but she has been training me for the last 2 months. She's very good at her job, efficient, confident, authoritative and i don't think money is an issue with her from what i gather. But why now am I feeling uneasy about this? I have a young family, a full time job, work hard but I feel she pounced, caught me off guard so to speak. I am very stressed!
I should've asked to see the document, asked more questions after all she's asked me for my signature and my home address.
I felt she should've been more transparent on this situation too. Am I right to be concerned, worried? Please help!

OP posts:
comedycentral · 26/08/2024 18:04

You are right to be concerned, you can't turn back time but you need to ask her to tell you more about it and tell her you are not comfortable.

Yahoo968 · 26/08/2024 18:05

Ask to read the document asap.
I think she has got you to sign as a guarantor.
In other words she doesn't pay her rent you have to pay.

HateThese4Leggedbeasts · 26/08/2024 18:05

Was the part where you signed labeled "witness" , "in the presence of" or something similar ? In which case it's quite normal to include your address. It's so if there was a dispute about the legitimacy over the original signature, the witness can be traced and verify it's real. You don't need to understand the document really

However I wouldn't sign anything unless it was clear I was only a witness.

imnotsickbutimnotwell · 26/08/2024 18:06

It’s easy to say in hindsight but never sign anything without understanding what you are signing. I learned this the hard way. Got pressured into signing up for financial services once but managed to get it cancelled.

What if it was a guarantor agreement for her flat? Were there any company logos on it? I think you will need to ask her for more info on what you have signed.

OhcantthInkofaname · 26/08/2024 18:07

Anytime I've been requested to sign a document for someone I have asked for a copy. I don't do so on the spur of the moment.

You could have signed a guarantee to pay for her payments.

Original poster
MrsHench · 26/08/2024 18:19

@HateThese4Leggedbeasts I honestly can't remember whether it had witness or not on the form. She never went into detail and she had the front page folded back so I really didn't see any logos.
Omg what is wrong with me?
I'm an absoiute Idiot. I could kick myself.

OP posts:
PinkyBlueMe · 26/08/2024 18:29

You may well just have witnessed her signature on something. However, if so, she'd have had to sign it in front of you as by witnessing something you are signing to say you saw the person sign it.
I think you need to insist you are given a copy of the signature page, so you can see if you signed as a witness, or some sort of other declaration. I don't think you can necessarily insist on seeing the whole document as it might be a Will or a Separation Deed and you're just a witness but you need to see what is above your signature.
If she refuses, tell her you will go to HR because she's used the fact you're new and taken advantage, and it happened during work.
Hopefully she'll show you what your signature declared and it'll put your mind at rest.

InSpainTheRain · 26/08/2024 18:30

You need to read the document ASAP so ask her for it I would also have a confidential chat with HR. If you have signed to be her guarantee or she won't show you the document you need to seek legal help quickly.

Gangstamummy · 26/08/2024 18:30

Is it really likely that someone would choose a work colleague (ie someone who knows them and can jeopardise their career with a complaint) to defraud into being a guarantor?? Surely it is more likely that you were just witnessing her signature on the tenancy agreement. If so you don’t need to see the document, but just to see her signing. But it should say “witnessed by” or “in the presence of” as the PP said.
Just ask her!

Trebol · 26/08/2024 18:47

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at the poster's request

Original poster
MrsHench · 26/08/2024 18:50

imnotsickbutimnotwell
That's what I was thinking but I'm sure she said she'd bought the flat. But she could just have said. What do I know?
I feel used now without knowing the facts especially as she could've asked anyone else. Very unhappy with my poor judgement!

OP posts:
purplecorkheart · 26/08/2024 18:54

The fact that she hasn't let you read it is concerning. I was asked to witness wills for a couple recently. They wanted me to read the entire documents and these are people who I have know for 30 + years.

Original poster
MrsHench · 26/08/2024 18:57

@Yahoo968 to be a Guarantor, wouldn't I have had to sign a more extensive contract?
I think she's purchased the flat. Would she still need a Guarantor?

OP posts:
BustyMcgoober · 26/08/2024 19:00

If it was for a guarantor for a rental you’d have had to give over all sorts of details like income and outgoings (we are guarantors for our DC so have done this several times). I would think the same would apply for a loan. So don’t worry too much.

It’s much more likely you’ve simply witnessed something, but it’s sketchy as fuck of her to be shady about it and I would push back and ask to see it.

Original poster
MrsHench · 26/08/2024 19:05

@purplecorkheart she probably thinks I'm a complete idiot 🙄. She seemed a bit coy as though she couldn't or needn't be bothered to explain to me what it was actually about, as if it was on a need to know basis. Im in training and have enough on my plate. I've just put my signature to something I know nothing about. I could actually cry 😭 for being sucked in like this. I feel used. I should've just politely refused and said I don't like putting my signature to a document that I can't read in full. Sorry!

OP posts:
YourKindPeachMaker · 26/08/2024 19:05

MrsHench · 26/08/2024 18:57

@Yahoo968 to be a Guarantor, wouldn't I have had to sign a more extensive contract?
I think she's purchased the flat. Would she still need a Guarantor?

Ask her to see the doc but in the meantime don’t worry too much about this. The only time I was a guarantor for someone renting I had to produce payslips and bank statements to show I’d have the funds to cover their rent. It’s not just a quick signature!

Mischance · 26/08/2024 19:05

How very rude of her to ask you to sign a document and not be prepared to show you it or explain in detail what it is. Go back to her and say you wish for full details. Do not take no for an answer. She has pounced on a newcomer because she probably knows no-one else would do it. You need to have sight of this document and to ignore her flippant attitude.

Cornflakelover · 26/08/2024 19:06

If she is buying then I know my son needed a witness for his deed of trust and a witness for something else on his mortgage

it had to be someone who wasn’t related to him or his partner so I couldn’t sign it - he got his flat mate to do it for him

I don’t think you would be a guarantor unless you did a agreed to a credit check as you have to be able to afford the rent

MounjaroUser · 26/08/2024 19:08

I would speak to my manager about this, OP, and I'd do it asap. I would want to see that document immediately so I could take legal action if necessary.

Don't deal with it on your own - get your manager or HR involved.

Original poster
MrsHench · 26/08/2024 19:10

@BustyMcgoober yes definitely will need to ask her. I actually want to withdraw my name and address fully because of her unwillingness to share info. Totally annoyed with myself.

OP posts:
needsomewarmsunshine · 26/08/2024 19:20

Please don't be too hard on yourself OP, we've all done something we later regret / have second thoughts about. Hope it sorts out soon and everything is okay for you.

invisiblecat · 26/08/2024 19:44

If you have been coerced or influenced into signing a document, then it is invalid anyway. Don't worry.

poetryandwine · 26/08/2024 19:53

When I’ve witnessed wills I have never been shown them, and it has never occurred to me to ask. But these have been for friends

OP, I agree it is unlikely you have made yourself a guarantor without giving over your own financial information. But you deserved to be comfortable with what you were signing. Please do get it clarified now. Best wishes

Dobbycraft · 26/08/2024 19:53

I think it will just be a witness to her signature - I've done this twice recently, once for a will and once for the contract of someone who was buying a house - I had to add my address. If you'd signed up to be a guarantor or something they would want way more information to confirm you are eligible to be one. But you need to ask her to confirm to put your mind at rest.

DelphiniumBlue · 26/08/2024 19:55

I'd email her:
" I feel very uncomfortable about signing that document the other day, especially as I have no idea what it was. To be frank, I felt pressured into it. Can you let me have a copy of the document to put my mind at rest?"
You've probably not got anything to worry about, but it starts a paper chain, where you've said you felt pressured into it AND clarifies that you didn't know what you were signing.
If she declines, I'd speak to your boss, and then start making noises about reporting it to the police as you don't want to be a party to fraud.