What does a notary bond provide protection against?

A notary bond is a type of insurance that is specifically designed to protect the public from any fraudulent acts, mistakes, or misconduct committed by the notary in the course of their duties. Essentially, if a notary engages in wrongful actions that result in financial loss to a third party, the bond provides a source of compensation up to a certain limit. This means that if someone suffers due to the notary’s actions, they may file a claim against the bond to recover their losses.

Although the bond primarily protects against fraud and misconduct by the notary, it does not cover personal property loss unrelated to the notary's duties, nor does it specifically address unauthorized representation of legal documents unless these actions are tied to the notary's failure in their role. Thus, the answer that best aligns with the purpose and protection offered by a notary bond is the one that focuses solely on the notary's fraud, mistakes, or misconduct.