Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Frumple]

So you throw people in a jail because they couldn't pay their bills, and then you expect them to pay back their debt while in prison.

Really smart, wonder why we even stopped using them back in the 1700's.

Don't forget increasing the debt in some cases! Gotta' pay for the jail visit, after all. It actually makes perfect sense when you're looking for a source of penal slavery (excepting that it'd be cheaper to just hire people to do the work; no paying for room and board. No one said slavery was actually efficient.).

[scriver]

I saw a documentary some years ago about the use of pure harrassment tactics from debt collectors (such as calling and hanging up in the middle of the night and outright threats) to get debtors to pay up, and outright hiring thugs to intimidate them. I have no idea what separates them from mob loan sharks at this point (that they can't take a bat directly to your knee?). Then again, I have even less an idea how any of this could be legal in the first place.

[SalmonGod]

Didn't debt collectors get legal permission to break into people's homes in Britain a couple years ago?

[Sirus]

I saw a documentary some years ago about the use of pure harrassment tactics from debt collectors (such as calling and hanging up in the middle of the night and outright threats) to get debtors to pay up, and outright hiring thugs to intimidate them. I have no idea what separates them from mob loan sharks at this point (that they can't take a bat directly to your knee?). Then again, I have even less an idea how any of this could be legal in the first place.

According to Reader's Digest, tactics such as those ARE illegal, and can be reported to the police.

Of course, it's better that you don't have loan sharks calling in the first place, but...

[Kogut]

I saw a documentary some years ago about the use of pure harrassment tactics from debt collectors (such as calling and hanging up in the middle of the night and outright threats) to get debtors to pay up, and outright hiring thugs to intimidate them. I have no idea what separates them from mob loan sharks at this point (that they can't take a bat directly to your knee?). Then again, I have even less an idea how any of this could be legal in the first place.

According to Reader's Digest, tactics such as those ARE illegal, and can be reported to the police.

Of course, it's better that you don't have loan sharks calling in the first place, but...

I remember story about guy (deep in debts) who based his earning on fines/penalties for illegal debt collecting methods.

[Darvi]

Apparently I have more siblings than I assumed.

Like, in real life and stuff? This seems like a story worth telling.

Yes, real life. Somehow I missed the whole "twins" bit when I was told about it the first time.

[Ehndras]

Apparently I have more siblings than I assumed.

Like, in real life and stuff? This seems like a story worth telling.

Yes, real life. Somehow I missed the whole "twins" bit when I was told about it the first time.

o_O Do explain?

[kaijyuu]

Discovered the evil twin of yours they hid in the attic, did you?

[Darvi]

Discovered the evil twin of yours they hid in the attic, did you?

Considering that I am the one who used to spend most of his time in the attic (and basement), I doubt that there's anything that's alive... anymore.

's just that I have 2 siblings instead of 1.5 as I thought previously.

[Kogut]

Discovered the evil twin of yours they hid in the attic, did you?

Considering that I am the one who used to spend most of his time in the attic (and basement), I doubt that there's anything that's alive... anymore.

's just that I have 2 siblings instead of 1.5 as I thought previously.

1.5? WTF

[Leafsnail]

Didn't debt collectors get legal permission to break into people's homes in Britain a couple years ago?

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/ManagingDebt/DebtsAndArrears/DG_10034289

If the bailiffs come to your home, you don't have to let them in. They can't force their way in, but they can enter through an open window or an unlocked door.

Forced entry includes pushing past you once you have opened the door to them, or leaving their foot in the door to prevent you closing it. Such action would make the whole process illegal.

Bailiffs recovering unpaid magistrates' court fines, however, do have the power to force entry, but this is always a last resort.

Bailiffs trying to recover money you owe to HMRC are allowed to break into your home, providing they have a magistrates' warrant - but this method is rare and only used as a last resort.

So... if you're being fined or it's unpaid taxes, then maybe.  For regular private loans, no.

's just that I have 2 siblings instead of 1.5 as I thought previously.

You really are spinning this one out, aren't you.

[Darvi]

You really are spinning this one out, aren't you.

Nope.

I just have a peculiar method of counting semi-siblings.

[Kogut]

they can enter through an open window or an unlocked door.

[Leafsnail]

I... suppose that's a problem if you have a tendency to leave your windows open or your doors unlocked?

[Duuvian]

Aquatic Jetpack

It also allows him to levitate and looks really sweet doing it.