Debt collection lawsuits swell in black neighborhoods

Debt collection lawsuits swell in black neighborhoods
Debt collection lawsuits swell in black neighborhoods

Debt collection lawsuits swell in black neighborhoods

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It happens all the time for people who are working hard just to make ends meet: Hours get cut back, or you’re let go, an unexpected expense happens thanks to the house or the car, there’s an unforeseen medical emergency. Suddenly, this person’s got to make a choice on which bills to pay, and which ones to put off. Very quickly, it’s gone to a debt collector, there’s been a suit, and wages are being garnished, pushing this person further into debt. Paul Kiel of Pro Publica reported that it happens a lot more to African Americans than it does to whites. The piece is called “The Color of Debt: How Collection Suits Squeeze Black Neighborhoods,” and it focuses on three cities: St. Louis, Newark and Chicago. Paul Kiel joins us with the details.