Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 2 Episode 18 Episode 42

In Episode 42 of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, the show dives into the world of debt buying and debt collection practices. Oliver sheds light on the often shady and unethical tactics used by debt buyers and collections agencies, often leading to individuals being sued for debts they may not even owe.

The episode begins with Oliver presenting the startling statistic that over 70 million Americans have a debt that has been sent to collections. He then introduces viewers to the concept of debt buying, which is when a debt collector purchases a debt from a lender for a fraction of its original value with the intention of collecting the full amount from the debtor.

Oliver breaks down the process of debt buying and how it often leads to confusion and frustration for the debtor. He explains that debt collectors are not required to provide much information about the debt being collected, which can leave individuals unsure of what they are being sued for or if the debt is even legitimate.

The show also covers the issue of "zombie debts," which are debts that have already been paid off or settled but are still being pursued by collectors. Oliver highlights the absurdity of this practice and the negative impact it can have on individuals' lives, including lost job opportunities and damaged credit scores.

To illustrate the harrowing effects of debt collection practices, Oliver brings in a personal story from a former employee of a collections agency. The employee describes the pressure and incentivization to collect as much debt as possible, even if it meant ignoring ethical practices.

Oliver also delves into the legal loopholes that allow debt collections agencies to operate in these unethical ways. He breaks down the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) enacted in 1977, which aimed to protect individuals from abusive debt collection practices. However, Oliver points out that the act has not been updated to account for the new technologies used in debt collections, such as robocalls and text messages.

The show ends with a call to action for viewers to write to their local representatives to push for updated legislation that will provide better protections for individuals in debt. Oliver emphasizes that the issue of debt collection practices may not be on the forefront of everyone's minds, but it affects a staggering number of people and demands attention.

Overall, Episode 42 of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver tackles a difficult and often overlooked topic in a way that is both informative and entertaining. The show sheds light on the often shady and unethical practices of debt buying and debt collections, and calls for action to update legislation that can better protect individuals in debt.