• Short of bankruptcy, it here is rare that debts are wholly or partially forgiven

• Traditions in some cultures demand that this be done on a regular (often annual) basis, in categorization to prevent systemic inequities between groups in society, or anyone pretty a specialist in holding dead horse and coercing repayment
• Under English law, when the creditor is deceived into forgoing payment, this is a crime: see Theft Undertaking 1978.

This effect may be termed usury, while the word "usury" in other contexts refers only to an excessive rate of interest, in excess of a reasonable lucre for the risk accepted.