Yeah, You always have to watch out and that is a good reason the Real estate agent should be at every one of their closings.

I agree...your best defense is to be present and to read everything that your client is given to sign.  In your example, the perps were preying on the unrepresented, so there isn't a lot we can do about that except to boycott the perp's employers.

Ross: Unfortunately, most of these unfortunate cases are the result of refinancing and other lending situations where no real estate representation is present.

Jim:  I agree, but these employers need to be "outed" before anything can be done on a meaningful scale. And that is just one other reason they remain silent.

They should have their license taken and not allowed to work in our profession.

Shaun: I agree, but unfortunately bank loan officers are often not required to have real estate licenses and many of these predators operate outside of any licensing authority.

Hi Roberta, yet another great post.  In area, there are a lot of agents shenanigans transactions like the ones you described.  I would like to add you as an associate--I like your way of writing and thinking.  You seem like a person of high integrity--something that is lacking in my neck of the woods!