Debtor called a filthy idiot (Swiss Press Video 2014, by Stefan Lanz) - Swiss Press Award

Tele M1 Aktuell (tägliche Nachrichtensendung)

Stefan Lanz

A woman from Dulliken (Canton of Solothurn) owes tax debts. At the end of November, a sinister debt collector rings her doorbell, demanding money. The woman manages to snatch a bank statement from the collector's hand, but what she reads shocks her. On the statement, she is called a "swine-jugo," "shitty jugo," and "scumbag." The debtor contacts the media. The case becomes public. Several criminal proceedings are now underway against the debt collection agency responsible, triggered by the report on Tele M1. Tax debts are already a highly controversial social issue in themselves. The case from Dulliken demonstrates the brazen tactics debt collectors and debt collection agencies use today to get their money.