Good advice where applicable.  I used to do title work for a company that did a lot of HUD sales. Even with proof that documents were recorded prepared by the company, they refused to  pay for searches because they weren't the ones to do the actual closing. I can't be the only one they did this to as they are no longer in business. I assume someone turned them into HUD because they didn't pay for the title work and HUD cut them off as a client.

Unfortunately, the mechanics' liens statutes don't protect examiners in my state.  

I check out new clients on Source of Title and the internet before working them if they were not referred to me by an existing client. If I get a bad vibe about the request, I have been known to call the existing client to verify that they did make the referral.

We just can't be too careful. I tell clients up front that I expect to be paid whether or not a closing happens and make sure to strike through and initial any parts of contracts that state otherwise.