Florida Notary Practice Exam

When a notary witnesses a fraudulent act during notarization, the appropriate action is to refuse to notarize and report the incident to the authorities. This course of action is crucial because a notary's role includes ensuring the integrity of the notarization process and safeguarding against fraudulent activities.

By refusing to notarize, the notary exercises their duty to prevent further complicity in the fraudulent act. Allowing the notarization to proceed would not only undermine the notary's credibility but could also have legal ramifications for the notary, as they would be documenting a potentially false statement or document. Reporting the incident to the authorities is essential for addressing the fraudulent behavior and protecting others from potential harm or deception.

It is also important to recognize that ignoring the fraudulent act or proceeding with the notarization to avoid conflict could not only cause legal trouble for the notary but also question their professional integrity. Consulting a lawyer might provide legal advice on specific situations, but the immediate steps of refusing the notarization and reporting the fraud are paramount in preserving the notary's responsibilities and ethical standards.