Nina Kay MacDermid suffered from bipolar disorder. She opened up three Discover credit card accounts in her husband's name, and went on a manic spending spree. She racked up debt, and after debt collectors falsely threatened her with jail, she shot & killed herself.

Caveat emptor has more.

While my mother was not bipolar, she had had a stroke. And because she was a very private person and had been able to handle their finances, she did not tell me of the harassment she had been dealing with. When my Dad went into a nursing home, I became very aware and it was bad. I learned that *they* called all hours of the day. They threatened to take her to court and the loss of all her possessions. Since my parents didn't *own* anything, that was an empty threat; but imagine. Now, after I've dealt with all the debts, with bankruptcy, letters to the creditors....she is still receiving solicitations for more credit cards!! Beware.

Consumers NEED to educate themselves as to their rights and also how crooked the debt collection industry really is. I was recently sued (wrongfully I might add), and countersued and won. They expected me to just roll over and take it I guess. Big mistake on their part. Huge.

This is so tragic. Having dealt with people suffering from bi-polar disorders in a professional capacity, during a depressed episode, suicide is quite possible. It is a shame that her therapist did not pick up on the signs.

Kudos for the courts!