Consumerism Commentary - Latest Comments in Publicly Shame a Deadbeat

Re: Publicly Shame a Deadbeat

Kyle — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 16:49:13 -0000

I can see how a site like this might be effective, but I have moral problems with the premise. Damn you, morals!

Re: Publicly Shame a Deadbeat

Bill M — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 22:21:40 -0000

I agree with mapgirl. Sueing anonymous users will get you nothin, maybe another bill from your lawyer.

Re: Publicly Shame a Deadbeat

mapgirl — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 15:03:28 -0000

Instead of this, why not re-institute debtor's prison? Because suing someone for slander and libel on an anonymous website doesn't really get a debt paid does it? Just look all those deadbeat dads who don't pay child support. Their names go up on public websites, but does it really get all of them to pay? (I'm sure some do, but certainly not all. Many go on being deadbeats.)

Re: Publicly Shame a Deadbeat

Green Panda — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 13:18:50 -0000

I can see how this can be abused y some people. How can they prove the debt is real?

Re: Publicly Shame a Deadbeat

Amp — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 12:57:49 -0000

I hear the terms "libel", "slander", and "defamation" coming!

Even if the owner is not responsible, those who post there will be. Plus, any complaintant who asks for their name to be removed from a public website not controlled by the government who is not granted that respect can call up a site's ISP, lodge a complaint, and have the site taken down.

This one won't last, boys ;) The owner will be inundated with lawsuits, and even if he's found to be "innocent" (how can one who facilitates be innocent?), the time and money he'll spend off work and with lawyers will kill him.

Sometimes, the suit is not won by the facts, but by the lack of energy on one party's part.

Re: Publicly Shame a Deadbeat

Harlan Landes — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 12:05:15 -0000

Chad: It's my understanding that there is a federal law that protects website operators from liability for content posted by visitors and users.

Re: Publicly Shame a Deadbeat

Greg — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 11:57:34 -0000

I can not see anything good coming from this...

Re: Publicly Shame a Deadbeat

Chad Bordeaux — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 11:36:45 -0000

I am not sure how this can be legal. Sure, they can do it, but are there not fair credit reporting laws preventing many of the things that will be posted here? Aren't they setting themselves up for a ton of lawsuits whenever false information is published? It seems like they would be liable if false information were published.