Wisconsin is seeing better results than expected from a so-called Web site of Shame. The site lists people and businesses who owe more than 25-thousand-dollars in unpaid taxes to the state. Officials originally expected the database to collect about $1 million when it started up last January. To date, the effort has motivated those who owe the state money to pay nearly $15.7 million.
Department of Revenue spokeswoman Meredith Helgerson says officials are unsure why the web site has been so effective in getting people to pay up. She believes many are motivated by the idea that neighbors or potential customers will find the information and hold it against them.
The Web site of Shame has been up for nearly a year. Helgerson says it's unclear if 2007 will bring the same results.