The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "Debtor" ...
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Debt and Debtor
"Debt and Debtor" examines New York University as a prolific generator of student debt. In fact, NYU create more student debt than any other not-for-profit school in the country- some students end up paying hundreds of thousands of dollars paying back and servicing the debt for their undergradaute NYU educations.
Tags: Debt; Debtor; New York University; NYU; education; undergraduate
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"Hounded:Debtors and the new breed of collectors"
In this series, reporters Chris Serres and Glenn Howatt reveal how debt collection has become a "profitable industry." In additional to missteps taken by collection agencies, this series also reveals how people are being arrested for failing to pay bills. Their bail has often been set at the exact amount of the debt that they owe.
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Forgive Us Our Debts
Increasing abuse by debt collectors not only violates federal law, but is indicative of a growing $60 billion market for reselling debt. The massive market resembles the unstable mortgage-security market, and collapse could put the economy on the brink again. Additionally, tactics used by debt collectors are abusive and often unfounded on any hard evidence of consumer debt. The debt resale market is plagued with problems that surface in this investigation.
Tags: collection; collectors; debtors; debt; consumers; practices; tactics; abuse; reselling; market; economy; debt; victims; lawsuits;
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Debtors' Hell
Examining a "system stacked in favor of collectors," the Globe discusses the side effects of the increase in consumer debt in Massachusetts and the nation. Among the findings is that "the legal system has been overwhelmed by collectors pursuing debtors through all manner of hard-edged tactics."
Tags: Debt; debt collection; consumer debt; unlicensed collectors; debt lawsuits
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Living Tax Free
A comprehensive look at delinquent taxpayers in Indiana. This story looks into individuals and businesses that owe the state back taxes. Some individual debtors were found living luxuriously in Florida, and some businesses were found operating in the same locations under changed names.
Tags: delinquent taxes; delinquency; taxes; debt; debtor; open records
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Dealing with Debt
This story examines the debtor requirements of the 2005 bankruptcy reform law and says that the credit industry needs reform and oversight.
Tags: bankruptcy; bankruptcy reform; lending; credit; credit cards
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Bad Debts Soaring, Government Strives For Ways to Collect
The New York Times reports on the federal government's growing debt, which has grown to $126 billion from $100 billion in the last two years. Meanwhile, the government's resources for monitoring its debtors are shrinking, creating what Comptroller General Charles A. Bowsher a perilous situation.
Tags: federal government; Comptroller General; Charles A. Bowsher; deficit; debt; owed; money; finances; businesses
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Dun Deals: As Many People Sink Into Debt, One Group Of Workers Prospers
The Journal reports on the business of collecting bad debts. The story profiles Joel Krisolofsky, an employee at Abacus Financial Management Services LP, a collection agency. "As more Americans fail to repay debt, collecting has become lucrative work."
Tags: credit cards; finances; debtors; student loans; bankruptcy
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Doctors in Debt
Dallas Business Journal examines the federal government's "troubled efforts to collect on $168.8 million in student loans remaining from the defunct Health Education Assistance Loans (HEAL) program. About 1,700 chiropractors, dentists and other former medical students have found their starting salaries too low to repay their student debts, the story reveals. The Journal's analysis of the government data about the debtors shows "discrepancies in payment records, departures from agency rules and confusion among those running the system." The defaulted doctors' debts could cost some of them their licenses, Patrick reports.
Tags: doctors; licensing boards; bankruptcy; college financial aid; U.S. Department of Health and Human Service; Health Education Assistance Loans (HEAL); Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners; Texas State Board of Dental Examiners
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Top delinquent taxpayers: Debtors owe Waterbury millions
A Republican-American investigation exposes the failure of the city of Waterbury to go after its top delinquent taxpayers who owe $6.4 million in real estate property taxes. The story reveals that "thanks to court action, environmental issues, and sale of liens, the cash-strapped city isn't likely to collect anytime soon." The analysis shows that of "the city's $27.3 million in delinquent taxes ... the top debtors owe 23 percent of the total." The author describes each of the top 10 debtor properties. The investigation is illustrated with a full list of real estate tax delinquencies as of March 22, 2001, as provided by the tax collector. The package includes also a question-and-answer section designed to help readers who find themselves on the list of delinquent taxpayers.
Tags: real estate; taxation; delinquency; property ownership; collectability; debts; notice of foreclosure; liens; bankruptcy; business