Did you recently receive a mailer from PO Box 59003 Knoxville TN or a phone call from 833-919-1580 or 833-684-0585 stating you have unpaid debt you needed to pay?
If you are still getting familiar with Wakefield and Associates, it’s reasonable to question the company’s legitimacy, especially given the prevalence of fraudulent debt collection agencies. This company offers commercial creditors multiple options to solve receivables management challenges.
Receiving calls from Wakefield and Associates means they have acquired your outstanding debt from one of your creditors. Alternatively, your creditor may have hired them to collect the debt from you.
Having an account in collections is negative news since it can result in a damaged credit score and constant harassment. In extreme cases, it can lead to a lawsuit. Although your credit score may have already suffered, it is not too late to attempt to resolve the situation.
What is Wakefield and Associates?
Wakefield and Associates is a debt collection agency specializing in collecting debts on behalf of creditors. The agency works with various clients, including banks, credit unions, medical providers, and telecommunications companies.
Most debt collectors work for the company that initially issued the billing, but there are third-party agencies like Wakefield and Associates that take over the debt collection process.
The company’s services include skip tracing, account management, credit reporting, and litigation support. Wakefield and Associates are licensed to operate in all 50 U.S. states and are regulated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Contact Details
Below is Wakefield and Associates’ contact information:
Address:
10800 E Bethany Dr,
Aurora, CO 80014
Phone:
+1 800-264-9399
Website:
Wakefield and Associates History
Wakefield and Associates is a debt collection agency based in Colorado, USA. The company was founded in 1982 by David G. Wakefield, who started the business with just one employee and a few clients.
Over the years, Wakefield and Associates have become one of the largest debt collection agencies in the United States, with offices and employees nationwide.
Despite its success, Wakefield and Associates have faced some legal and controversial challenges in recent years. The company has since changed its practices to comply with regulations and maintain its reputation in the industry.
Wakefield and Associates Reviews
Wakefield and Associates have been the subject of numerous consumer complaints regarding alleged Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA) violations. These complaints include:
- Communication that constitutes harassment
- Providing reports that are not accurate
- Failure to respond to letters requesting debt validation.
Wakefield and Associates have a reputation for exploiting consumers who may need to gain complete knowledge of their legal rights per the FDCPA.
Google Reviews
There are numerous consumer complaints filed against Wakefield and Associates regarding billing. The consumers state that Wakefield and Associates from individuals who owe no debt. Wakefield and Associates have had some issues with their services based on these complaints.
BBB Reviews
Although Wakefield and Associates have been accredited by the BBB since 2015 and currently has a B rating. There are numerous, customer complaints and negative reviews. According to the BBB website, the company has an average consumer rating of 1.11 out of five stars.
Despite its accreditation and lengthy business history, Wakefield and Associates have received unfavorable customer reviews. In the last three years leading up to September 2017, the BBB has resolved 149 complaints lodged against Wakefield and Associates, with 75 of those closed in the preceding year. Billing and collections problems accounted for the highest proportion of complaints, followed by a nearly equal number of complaints related to customer service issues.
Other Reviews
The CFPB received 129 complaints against Wakefield and Associates since March 2015, and at least six civil litigation cases had been filed against this agency. In 2013, the CFPB ordered Wakefield and Associates to pay a $700,000 fine and stop using illegal debt collection tactics, such as making false threats and misrepresenting the amount owed.