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John Oliver buys $15M in debt and forgives all of it on 'Last Week Tonight'

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Re: John Oliver buys $15M in debt and forgives all of it on 'Last Week Tonight'

#21
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If the debt collectors somehow manage to trick the debtors into acknowledging the debt, the debt clock is reset & it goes back on to your credit report.

Wouldn't it still be outstanding on your credit report. It's debt that you didn't pay. How long does it stay on your credit report?

IIRC, these accounts fall off the credit report in 7 years from the date that was deemed as last activity date on that account.

Re: John Oliver buys $15M in debt and forgives all of it on 'Last Week Tonight'

#22

I'm not aware of any other show that so seamlessly combines rip-roaringly funny comedy with essential insight into the way our society and system of government is deeply flawed. And on top of that, he even manages to direct action to fix the issues he draws attention to -- taking down the FCC website being one example[1]. [1] https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jun/03/john-oliv...

The only other show that comes to mind is The Daily Show, of which John Oliver is an alumnus.

Trevor Noah is too nice though.

Re: John Oliver buys $15M in debt and forgives all of it on 'Last Week Tonight'

#26

The baffling thing to me is that this is already discharged debt - "out of statute medical debt from Texas", "medical debt they no longer had to pay" - and how on earth is it legal to try and collect that?

Debt doesn't magically (or legally) stop existing after a set period of time. It's just that legal means to enforce collection expire.

I once (in the early 1990s) refused to pay a company I was very unhappy with -- IIRC it was Verizon. They cancelled my service, tried to collect, then sold the debt after a while.

I still get these offers to settle the debt for 70% less than the total -- but the letters always include a disclaimer somewhere to the effect of "due to the age of this debt, you will not be sued, and this will not be reported to any credit bureau".

Re: John Oliver buys $15M in debt and forgives all of it on 'Last Week Tonight'

#27

I'm not aware of any other show that so seamlessly combines rip-roaringly funny comedy with essential insight into the way our society and system of government is deeply flawed. And on top of that, he even manages to direct action to fix the issues he draws attention to -- taking down the FCC website being one example[1]. [1] https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jun/03/john-oliv...

It's a good show (he's funny and you learn stuff) but it's way too preachy. He gets just a little too excited about things that are basically impossible for anyone to get excited about. Clearly pandering to the young, left crowd. I'm sure it makes some people feel very warm at night but it gives me a bad taste in my mouth after binge watching.

Re: John Oliver buys $15M in debt and forgives all of it on 'Last Week Tonight'

#30
post #7
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's still debt, it's not as if the money is not owed it's just debt that has no legal repercussions for not paying. From my understanding at least. So really he saved them from harassing phone calls, not really the money itself.

That would mean he could probably pay it off at a discount?

except payment isnt going to the people who were originally owed it - payment is going to the last agency which owned it, and can't collect on it
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