What action must a Notary take upon discovering a forged signature?

When a Notary discovers a forged signature, the correct action is to refuse to notarize the document and may report the fraudulent activity to law enforcement. A Notary's primary duty is to ensure that the signatures on documents are genuine and that the individuals involved are acting willingly and under their own identities. Notarizing a document with a forged signature compromises the integrity of the notarization process, can lead to legal repercussions for the Notary, and can facilitate fraud.

Refusing to notarize when a forgery is suspected prevents further legal issues and highlights the Notary's role in upholding trust and security in notarizations. Additionally, reporting the forgery to law enforcement is a responsible action to take, as it helps prevent further fraudulent activities and may protect others who could be victimized by the same forger. This approach reflects the ethical and legal obligations of Notaries to maintain the integrity of their work and to act as a deterrent to fraud.