Recently I received an offer to refinance my auto loan via US postal service. I responded to this offer online. Yesterday, I was notified the loan papers were ready for signature. The online page reads as follows:

"Thank you for choosing XXXXX. We are pleased we could lower your interest rate, save you money and welcome you as a customer.

Below is a link stating View Documents. Please click on this Link and read our E-SIGN DISCLOSURE AND AUTHORIZATION. If you do not agree to the Terms and Conditions please feel free to contact you Loan Consultant at XXX-XXX-XXXX to request your documents be sent via XXX.

If you Agree to the Terms and Conditions you will see two buttons that look like these:

Click, then open and print all attached loan documents to complete the refinancing of your auto loan. Please follow the checklist to ensure you properly complete and sign all necessary documents. Should you have any questions, please contact me at XXX-XXX-XXXX. If I am unavailable to take your call please press 2 to reach one of my colleagues.

In order to expedite the process, we ask that you return the required documents within three (3) business days. We have included a pre-paid XXX return label for your convenience. You have two options via XXX to ensure we receive your package in a timely manner. You can go to a local XXX store and drop the package with one of there Associates. If you chose this option ask the associate for an over night XXX envelope. You can Schedule a pickup, or locate the nearest Drop box by contacting XXX. Their number is X-XXX-XXX-XXXX. You can obtain an XXX envelope from the XXX Driver, or from inside the XXX Drop box.

We appreciate this opportunity and look forward to having you as a valued customer.

View Documents"

I did click the "View Documents" link and read the papers. I telephoned the representative and ask him if I had signed these papers electronically. He stated "no." He said I had time to think about the offer and could respond in a couple of days.

Have I agreed to sign the papers or accept the papers electronically? The reason I ask is the loan package includes a letter that is addressed to "To Whom It May Concern." This letter has a spot for my signature and makes me agree to pay late fees if the loan papers are not returned by 01/03/2008. What is this? The doc reads:

"I hereby agree to return the signed loan agreement and supporting documentation to XXX by 01/03/2008. Failure to return the loan package to XXX by this date will result in additional interest accruing on my account with XXX. In that event I hereby authorize XXX to pay the additional interest of XXX ..."

Any insight you can provide is greatly appreciated.

I suggest you have an attorney review all the various terms and conditions that you have concerns about. I would also suggest that you don't sign anything until you feel comfortable that you have all the information you would want to know before committing yourself. For your reference, you can find more information about an attorney through the locator service on LawInfo's home page at: http://www.lawinfo.com/. Some do offer free consultations. Good luck.