What is it called when an agent signs a buyer's name on a contract without the buyer's consent?

When an agent signs a buyer's name on a contract without the buyer's consent, this act is classified as forgery. Forgery involves the unauthorized signing of someone else’s name on a document to deceive or commit fraud. In this context, the agent’s action of signing the buyer’s name without permission constitutes a legal violation, as it misrepresents the buyer's intentions and can create significant legal implications for both the agent and the contract involved.

In contrast, duress pertains to situations where a person is forced or threatened into signing or entering a contract against their will. Fraud generally involves deceit or misrepresentation intended to secure unfair or unlawful gain, while coercion refers to the act of compelling someone to act in a certain way through the use of threats or force. Each of these terms implies a different situation and does not specifically address the act of unauthorized signing, which is precisely covered under forgery.