My guess is he struck a deal with a debt collector, didn't get it in writing, and gave them electronic access to his bank account. The shadier ones will clean you out if you give them electronic access. They push for it HARD and say that is the only way they can do the deal, rather than you sending a cashiers check or something.
I'd guess he is confused, overwhelmed, and not well-versed in the terms of debt & foreclosure rather than trying to sell you a sob story. But you know him best.