How to Settle Debt With Wakefield and Associates

George Simons | January 29, 2025

Fact-checked by Patrick Austin, J.D.

Patrick Austin
Attorney from George Mason
Patrick Austin, JD

Patrick Austin is a licensed attorney with a background in data privacy and information security law. Patrick received his law degree at George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School, where he served as the Editor-in-Chief for the National Security Law Journal.

George Simons
Co-Founder of SoloSuit
George Simons, JD/MBA

George Simons is the co-founder and CEO of SoloSuit. He has helped Americans protect over $1 billion from predatory debt lawsuits. George graduated from BYU Law school in 2020 with a JD-MBA. In his spare time, George likes to cook, because he likes to eat.

Edited by Hannah Locklear

Hannah Locklear
Editor at SoloSuit
Hannah Locklear, BA

Hannah Locklear is SoloSuit’s Marketing and Impact Manager. With an educational background in Linguistics, Spanish, and International Development from Brigham Young University, Hannah has also worked as a legal support specialist for several years.

Summary: To resolve a debt collection issue with Wakefield and Associates, it is important to be prepared to request verification of the debt, make a reasonable opening settlement offer, expect counteroffers, and memorialize your agreement in writing. Solo can assist you in verifying the debt, responding to legal challenges, and completing the negotiation process to get you out of debt.

Getting contacted by a debt collector affiliated with Wakefield and Associates is oftentimes stressful and anxiety-inducing.

For example, debt collectors with Wakefield and Associates are likely to call you constantly on the phone from several numbers. They may also try to contact you on social media and send multiple letters.

If you have been contacted by Wakefield and Associates for an unpaid debt, it is important to understand that you have rights and protections pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, along with other laws.

Settle debt with Wakefield and Associates

You can negotiate debt settlement at any stage of the collections process. SoloSettle makes it easy.

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What is Wakefield and Associates?

Wakefield and Associates is a debt collection agency that focuses on collecting debt for organizations within various sectors of the economy, including financial institutions, educational institutions, and hospitals.

They appear to operate under a variety of different names. For example, you may see “Wakefield Payment Solutions” on your credit report. Other names Wakefield and Associates will use to conduct business and attempt to collect on delinquent accounts include the following: Wakeassoc, Wakefield Associates, Wakefield RRC, Wakefield Collections, and so forth.

If you regularly receive phone calls and letters from Wakefield and Associates regarding an unpaid debt, or have already been served with a debt collection lawsuit by Wakefield and Associates, do not panic. There are specific ways to respond to the debt collector, and multiple defenses you could potentially raise to combat the debt collection lawsuit.

Below is the Wakefield and Associates phone number and other contact information:

  • Colorado phone number: 1-800-864-3870
  • Tennessee phone number: 1-800-264-9399
  • Address: 7005 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN 37909

Who does Wakefield and Associates collect for?

Wakefield and Associates typically collects for companies in the healthcare industry. More specifically, Wakefield and Associates collects for hospitals, ER and physicians groups, ASCs, ground and air medical transport facilities, behavioral health centers, and more.

Read Wakefield & Associates reviews online

If you are curious to learn what consumers have said about their experience with Wakefield and Associates on a debt collection matter, then take a moment to read these reviews:

While online reviews for Wakefield and Associates are pretty mixed, there are some reviews that indicate consumers can have a pleasant experience communicating with collectors from Wakefield and Associates to resolve debt. Let’s consider a real example from a borrower named Kriss:

“They’re a good company. I’m just the one that screwed up. They’re just doing their job. Can’t hate him for that. Hopefully one day soon I’ll get this fixed and everybody will be happy.”

This review shows that debt collectors with Wakefield and Associates are open to working with you to resolve your concerns and get your debt paid in a manner that works for you and your current financial situation. Communication is the key.

If calling a debt collector to negotiate doesn’t sound like your idea of fun, try using SoloSettle to negotiate online and resolve your debt through the digital settlement platform.

Know your rights when Wakefield and Associates contacts you

It is important to understand the fact that you have legal rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The FDCPA is a federal law passed by Congress in 1977 specifically for the purpose of curbing abusive tactics used by debt collectors. The FDCPA features a number of rules and regulations that stipulate what debt collectors can and cannot do when attempting to recover on a debt. Some of the restrictions codified in the FDCPA concerning debt collector tactics include:

  • A Wakefield and Associates debt collector is not allowed to call you when you are at work.
  • A Wakefield and Associates debt collector may not use rude or offensive words when they talk to you by phone or in letters.
  • A Wakefield and Associates debt collector may not threaten legal action.
  • A Wakefield and Associates debt collector is not allowed to call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.

Defend yourself if Wakefield and Associates sues you

When you answer the debt collection lawsuit, you have a chance to point out some of the deficiencies in the Complaint filed by Wakefield and Associates. Also, keep in mind that the debt collector must prove that you owe the debt. This means the company must affirmatively prove the following in order to get a judgment against you:

  • The company has the right to sue you.
  • You are the person who incurred the debt.
  • You owe the sum that is listed in the complaint.

If Wakefield and Associates cannot produce sufficient evidence to meet the above-described prerequisites, there is a strong chance you can win in court. You may even be able to get the debt collection lawsuit tossed out of court.

Depending on your case particulars, you could say that the company didn't file before the statute of limitations expired. The statute of limitations is how much time a person has to file suit against someone else.

If your case suggests that Wakefield and Associates sued you when the statute of limitations lapsed, you might file a motion for dismissal with prejudice.

You also might consider filing a countersuit. If you can show that the firm was in violation of the FDCPA, you may be entitled to compensatory damages. You could even get reimbursement of your legal fees.

Respond to a debt lawsuit against Wakefield and Associates

The first step to beating Wakefield and Associates in court is to respond to the lawsuit by filing a written Answer. Here's how.

Follow these three steps to Answer a debt lawsuit against Wakefield and Associates:

Step 1: Answer each claim listed in the Complaint document from Wakefield and Associates

When you're sued for a debt, you should receive a Summons and Complaint document notifying you of the lawsuit. In your Answer, the most important thing to do is respond to each claim listed in the Complaint document. You can admit, deny, or deny due to lack of knowledge. Keep in mind that most attorneys recommend denying as many claims as possible, which forces Wakefield and Associates to prove its claims. If they can't prove everything, they might just drop the case altogether.

Step 2: Assert your affirmative defenses

An affirmative defense is any legal reason that Wakefield and Associates shouldn't win the case. You can bring up several affirmative defenses in your Answer, but if you don't assert them in your initial response to the lawsuit, you can't bring them up later on in the case. This is why it's so important to include your affirmative defenses in your Answer. For example, the statute of limitations is a common affirmative defense used in debt collection lawsuits.

Step 3: File your Answer with the court, and send a copy to Wakefield and Associates

You have 14-35 days to file the Answer before a default judgment will be entered against you. If this happens, Wakefield and Associates can garnish your wages and put liens on your properties. You can send the Answer to the court via mail, drop it off in person, or file it electronically (this option is only available in some courts). After you've filed the Answer in court, make a copy and send it to Wakefield and Associates. Make sure to request a return receipt, so you have proof that you sent it.

To learn more about these three steps, check out this video:

How to settle your debt with Wakefield and Associates

Do you want to pay off your debt, but you don't have the funds to pay off the entire thing? Debt settlement might be a good option for you.

Debt settlement typically involves paying off a portion of your total debt to clear your name of the debt and get your debt lawsuit dismissed. If you're experiencing unexpected financial hardship, most creditors and debt collectors are willing to work with you, whether that's settling for a smaller, lump-sum payment or working out a payment plan that works with your budget.

If debt settlement sounds like the right option, determine how much you can afford to pay and start communicating with Wakefield and Associates. The more you offer in a settlement, the more likely the company will accept it.

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Make an Offer

Generally, offering at least 60% of the debt’s total value is a good starting point. However, if you have extenuating circumstances, the company may entertain a lower amount. Keep in mind that you may go back and forth with Wakefield and Associates before you reach a deal.

Note: Even if you plan to settle your debt, it’s important to file an Answer in your case. This will block a default judgment and buy you time to negotiate debt settlement. Plus, many creditors and debt collectors are more likely to accept a settlement if they know you are willing and prepared to fight the case in court.

Not sure how to negotiate a debt settlement? Watch the following video to learn more about how to settle a debt with Wakefield and Associates:

SoloSettle, powered by Solo, is a tech-based approach to debt settlement. Our software helps you send and receive settlement offers until you reach an agreement with the collector. Once an agreement is reached, we’ll help you manage the settlement documentation and transfer your payment to the creditor or debt collector, helping you keep your financial information private and secure.

Now, let’s take a look at an example of debt settlement with Wakefield and Associates.

Example: When Robert falls behind on his monthly medical bills, Wakefield and Associates contacts him. He doesn't have the money to pay off his debts, and he is struggling with health challenges on top of it all. When Robert gets sued for the debt, he uses Solo to respond to the case to buy himself some time to work out a plan. Next, Robert sends an offer to settle the debt with the help of SoloSettle. After a few rounds of negotiations, Robert gets set up on a payment plan that works with his current income. After a few months, his debt is settled.


Overview - What To Do If You Go To Court

Here are the basics of what to do if you are served with a debt collection lawsuit filed by Wakefield and Associates:

  • Note if the collection agency calls you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. Also, write down if they call you at work or use rude or offensive language.
  • Be sure to file the Answer within the proper time frame that the court states.
  • In the Answer, consider raising one, or more, of the defenses mentioned above, such as the statute of limitations.
  • Remember, the debt collection agency must prove you owe the debt and that you are the one who owes the money.
  • Consider filing a countersuit if the debt collection agency violated the consumer protections afforded under the FDCPA.

Debt collection agencies like Wakefield and Associates often rely on making threats or false promises in the hopes of wearing you down and getting you to agree to repayment. Do not raise the white flag of defeat. With thought and foresight, you can often prevail against a debt collector in court.

Best of luck!

Sued for debt? Settle your debt before going to court with SoloSettle.

How to Answer a Summons for debt collection in all 50 states

Here's a list of guides on how to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in each state:

The Ultimate 50 State Guide

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Are you being contacted by a debt collector? We’re making guides on how to resolve debt with each one.

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If the thought of going to court stresses you out, you’re not alone. Many Americans who are sued for credit card debt utilize a Motion to Compel Arbitration to push their case out of court and into arbitration.

Below are some resources on how to use an arbitration clause to your advantage and win a debt lawsuit.

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Bankruptcy is a great way to legally resolve debt, but it's usually best to consider it as a last resort. Here are some bankruptcy guides to help you decide which debt resolution option is best for you.

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State debt collection laws

Debt collection laws vary by state, so we have compiled a guide to each state’s debt collection laws to make it easier for you to stand up for your rights—no matter where you live.

Statute of limitations on debt

Like all debt collection laws, the statute of limitations on debt varies by state. So, we wrote guides on each state’s statutes and more.

Stop collection calls

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Wage garnishment

Forgot to respond to your debt lawsuit? The judge may have ordered a default judgment against you, and with a default judgment, debt collectors can garnish your wages. Here are our guides on how to stop wage garnishment in your state, plus other wage garnishment resources.

The Debt Hotline

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