Were grateful for that trust, and we wont abuse it. They may still try to bluff or intimidate you into paying them or admitting that the debt is yours. You must send it within 30 days of them first contacting you. Everything we publish is as accurate and as complete as we can make it. If youre wondering does Wakefield and Associates have a right to sue me, the answer is yes. If you are using a dispute or debt validation letter template, be sure that the template is designed for notices received after the implementation of Regulation F on Nov. 20, 2021. Any information obtained will be used for that purpose. There are several ways of removing Wakefield and Associates debt from your credit report, but if these approaches fail, then you should consider seeking advice from a credit repair professional. Any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Guaranteed Installment Loans for Bad Credit. Wakefield and Associates representatives also need to follow the rules set out in the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Click here for our - CHAT BOT - Open 24 hours. P.O. You can also dispute debts that are older than 7 years (measured from the date of your first missed payment)by law, theyre supposed to fall off your credit report by then. Sign up for The Brief by finmasters, our FREE weekly newsletter and get the latest tips on how to make more money, invest better and reach your financial goals. If a debt collector violates your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act or does something illegal, then you can report them to the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or your state attorney general. Your guide to everything personal finance. How Do Collections Affect Your Credit Score?
Dont ignore them. Debt collectors cannot threaten to harm you, your reputation, or your property, or use profane language. - We will make it our responsibility to help consumers find ways to pay their just debts. Under the new regulations that came into effect on Nov. 30, 2021, debt collectors must send you a Notice of Debt within 5 days of their first contact with you. Victoria Scanlon If youre hearing from Wakefield and Associates or any collection agency there are things that you can (and should) do. If a debt collector speaks to you on the phone they must wait seven days before calling again. In recent years, people have had some luck with getting Wakefield and Associates to arrange a phone call to discuss pay for delete agreement, but it seems this company shies away from setting up terms in writing. This communication is from a debt collector. The expiry of the statute of limitations will not remove an account from your credit record. Remember that you cannot compel a credit bureau to remove a legitimate account from your record. Who does Wakefield and Associates collect for? In addition, the FDCPA provides you with many rights to ensure that debt collectors dont take advantage of you. If you believe that you do not owe the debt or that the collection agency has failed to validate the debt, you canfile a disputewith the credit bureaus. Send the collection agency a debt validation letter. Legally, theyll have to abide by that. Our writers do not take FinanceJars relationship with its affiliates into consideration when writing their reviews and articles. Record their phone calls. Lexington Law has helped millions of customers remove collections and other Missed payments over several months will cause a hit to your credit score. Wakefield and Associates probably isnt a scam, but you should make sure to avoid scammers by verifying your debts and only making payments once you're sure they're legitimate. This site is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal advice or financial advice. Your best move at this point is to simply pay the debt. When you purchase through referral links on our site, we earn a commission. You might offer 10% of your balance to see what they say. Debt collectors often buy and sell debt from one another, so this can lead to multiple collections showing on your credit reports for the same account. Many debt collectors who purchased debts before the new regulations came into effect will not have the required information. They have helped many people in your situation and have paralegals standing by waiting to take your call. A translation and description of commonly-used debt collection terms is available in multiple languages on the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs website. Use this debt verification letter template if Wakefield and Associates has contacted you about a debt and you want to dispute it. Thats the only way that we make money. Yes, you can sue Wakefield and Associates for harassment. Please use the link above until available on this website, thank-you! You can sue for harassment, and you wont need to pay the legal fees if you win. This notice must contain much more information than the notices that collectors sent under prior rules.If the notice is incomplete, it is invalid, and the debt isnt collectible. Request a letter with the original debt information and then hang up. Remember, Wakefield and Associates purchased your debt, in bulk with a bunch of other debt, from the original creditor. To verify what debts you owe, contact Wakefield and Associates online or via one of their regional call centers. Wakefield & Associates offers the following language access services upon request: (1) Wakefield & Associates offers Spanish-speaking representatives for consumers that prefer to speak with us over the telephone in Spanish. Unfortunately, if the debt is legitimate and its less than 7 years old, removing Wakefield and Associates from your credit report will be very difficult (although not impossible). To maximize your credit score increase you need to choose the best rent reporter for you. You will need to dispute the account separately with each credit bureau. If they cant, theyre required by law to remove it from your credit report. This is an attempt to collect a debt. Wakefield & Associates, Inc. is a debt collection agency headquartered in Aurora, Colorado. If they keep calling, send them a cease & desist letter. How to stop Wakefield and Associates from calling you, How to remove Wakefield and Associates from your credit report, How to deal with Wakefield and Associates harassment, reason debt collectors like these are calling you, paying off your collection will boost your credit score, collection accounts will stay on your credit report for 7 years, prevents debt collectors from engaging in harassment or predatory behavior, report them to the Federal Trade Commission, filing a complaint on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website, Credit Card Hardship Program: What It Is and How To Enroll. Home Debt Debt Collection Collection Agencies Wakefield and Associates. For more information please read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The best way to deal with Wakefield & Associates is to work with a professional credit repair service. The content on finmasters.com is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional financial advice. Wakefield and Associates, Inc. may not threaten or harass you, call you repeatedly, swear at you, or publicly publish a list of debtors. If you do, theNational Consumer Law Centerstates, the collector can only acknowledge the letter and notify you about legal steps the collector may take.. It does not affect our evaluations of them, which our writers and editors create independently, without considering our relationships with our partners. When you stop the phone calls, you get some breathing room. If they dont respond to your dispute within 3045 days, then theyre legally obligated to remove the item in question. Founded in 1946, Wakefield and Associates is a debt collection agency that collects debt for organizations in various industries, including banking, education, and healthcare. Follow these simple steps to stop the calls. We make money through advertising. Knoxville, TN 37950. If you believe that a debt collector is violating the rules, you can report them to theFTC, theCFPB, and your states attorney general. If you think that Wakefield and Associates may be violating your rights, then its a good idea to record your phone calls, save any letters they send you, and keep records of when theyve contacted you. It will be recorded as paid, but it may remain on your credit report for seven years from the date when the account first became delinquent. . e will give you advice for how you can improve your credit. So instead of helping your credit, it could make it worse. For example, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act prevents the use of abusive or deceptive tactics to collect a debt. 
Dont attempt to hide money. While occasionally the collection debt isnt yours, most of the time, it is. There are still some companies that are legitimate and helpful. In particular: Avoid the phone. The name of the creditor to which the debt is currently owed. Is Wakefield and Associates hurting your credit score? The notice must also contain a returnable form allowing you to declare that you are disputing the debt and allowing you to select one of three reasons for a dispute: The CFPB has published a sample Notice of Debt that will help you determine whether the one you receive is complete. Send the debt collector a certified letter addressing these issues. Wakefield & Associates also has locations in the following cities: Nothing good can come from speaking to a debt collection company on the phone. The Notice of Debt must also contain extensive information about the debt: The Notice of Debt must contain a statement advising you of your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FCPA), including a statement that you have the right to dispute the debt within 30 days of receiving the letter. When attempting to collect payments from you, Wakefield and Associates must adhere to the regulations specified in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Phone Number: (303) 537-2900 For a full review of your rights under the FDCPA see thissummaryfrom the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). However, its best to be cautious when it comes to communications from debt collectors claiming to be Wakefield and Associates, since scammers sometimes pose as legitimate agencies. FinanceJar partners with other companies in the credit and finance industry, such as credit card issuers and credit repair companies. Heres a list of some of the nations most popular debt collectors that cause damage to your credit. Learn more about Regulation F and what will it mean for consumers with debts. Of course, there are times when its best to just pay the collection account, especially if its new and youre sure that its legit.
The company is headquartered in Aurora, Colorado with locations in Knoxville Tennessee, and has over 175 employees. Debt collectors must identify themselves and the company they represent. Call us now. If you click on one of those links, we get paid. Credit Reporting Bureau Mailing Addresses. We know that taking financial advice from us requires a lot of trust on your part. Wakefield and Associates will also have to pay your attorney fees and court costs.
The less they know about you, the better. A credit repair company is equipped to deal with aggressive debt collectors to help you get the best possible outcome. Statue of Limitations on Debt - State By State, Everything You Need to Know About Filing for Bankruptcy, How To Rebuild Your Credit After Bankruptcy. Lexington Law knows that you have rights, and Wakefield and Associates does too. Before choosing any financial product, read the terms and conditions from the financial service provider. Once your debt reaches a certain age, it is considered zombie debt, and you are no longer legally obligated to pay it. Well never try to trick you into clicking anything youre not genuinely interested in. In this article, well talk about what they do, what your rights are, and how to get them off your credit report. Always dispute debts held by collection companies. ChexSystems Have You Been Denied a Bank Account? A debt verification letter is a formal request that obligates a debt collector to provide further evidence of a debt. Consider working with a professional. Wakefield and Associates, Inc. cannot threaten to have you arrested, and they are not allowed to threaten to take legal action if they have no intention of doing so. 1-800-264-9399, Wakefield & Associates Thanks! A debt collector cannot call your place of employment. Much of the information that debtors used to ask for is now required in the Notice of Debt. By law, they have 30 days to prove to you that the debt is really yours and the total amount is accurate. They may not be able to get it from the original creditor. Not all companies will exercise their right to file a lawsuit against you, but its a harsh reality when dealing with an aggressive debt collector. Can a Debt Collection Agency Report an Old Debt as New? The statute of limitations on most debts is between 3 and 6 years, but the exact amount of time depends on several factors, including the state you live in. Chonc Maddox is a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI) and personal finance freelance writer. That's our first priority, and we take it seriously. From there, youll be able to find out whether you can also sue Wakefield and Associates. A valid Notice of Debt must contain an itemization date. Make a copy for yourself and mail the original to Wakefield and Associates. Its best to get the company to agree in writing so they dont go back on their word. A debt collector cannot call you before 8AM or after 9PM. 1. (Debt collectors prefer that we didnt tell you this, but its something you should know.
Another option is filing a complaint on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website, but this might not have the outcome youre hoping for. Ignoring them sets you up for a possible lawsuit. You have many consumer rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). In this blog post, we take a closer look at why you couldn't build credit with a debit card before, and why you can FinMasters content is free. If you fail to pay back a debt collection company like Wakefield and Associates, there is a chance you could get sued. A collection agency may agree to remove your account from your credit record if you settle your debt.
They must notify you that they are a collection agency both orally and in writing. If you want to remove Wakefield & Associatesfrom your credit report, write to their address: Address: 10800 E Bethany Dr. Important! Our relationships with our affiliates may affect which products we feature on our site and where these products appear in our articles. This date will help you establish whether the Statute of Limitations on the debt has expired and when it will drop off your credit report. Choosing to work with an expert sooner rather than later can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. We strive to provide up-to-date information but make no warranties regarding the accuracy of our information. Box 50250 The debt collectors name and mailing address. Hospitals, small practices, emergency services. If you have a lawyer, the collector must communicate with your lawyer. Write a stop contact or cease letter telling them to stop contacting you. Call (888) 859-0871 now. The date of the last statement or invoice provided to the consumer by the creditor. Our chat bot is available 24 hours a day to handle most tasks, including payments! Politely tell Wakefield and Associates its your policy to deal with everything in writing. (2) Wakefield & Associates offers Spanish versions of some of its letters. How Much Should Your 401(k) Contribution Be? 2022 ONR Financial Networks LLC All Rights Reserved. If youre ready to get rid of Wakefield and Associates once and for all, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Dont want to wait? If youre struggling financially and cant afford to pay this debt collector, you can get help from a non-profit credit counselor. Call Lexington Law now to learn more: (800) 220-0084, Address:Wakefield & Associates, Inc.10800 E Bethany Dr Ste 450Aurora, CO 80014-2697. Even if you pay off your debt to Wakefield and Associates, it will remain on your credit report. They have over 18 years of experience and have removed over 7 million negative items for their clients in 2020 alone. Its a good idea to familiarize yourself with these laws so that you can take action against Wakefield and Associates if they do something illegal. Heres what you need to know to get Wakefield and Associates off your back and out of your credit report. Its smarter to engage with them tactically to ensure you dont have to pay, or that you get the best deal you can. 
