Quick Answer: Wakefield & Associates is a third-party medical debt collector headquartered in Aurora, Colorado. Founded in 1946, they collect primarily for hospitals, physician groups, and other healthcare providers across 18 locations nationwide. Their most commonly reported phone numbers include 800-264-9399 and 800-864-3870. Wakefield has 1,254 complaints in the CFPB database; the leading category is attempting to collect debt not owed, followed by complaints about unauthorized interest and credit reporting errors.
If Wakefield & Associates is in your call log: Medical debt collections are among the most error-prone in the industry. Before assuming you owe the amount they claim, confirm the bill was processed correctly through your insurance. This page gives you the information to respond from a position of knowledge — not urgency.
| Company Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Wakefield & Associates, Inc. |
| Type | Third-party medical debt collector |
| Headquartered | Aurora, Colorado |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Primary Debt Types | Medical bills, hospital accounts, physician group debt |
| Primary Phone | 800-264-9399 |
| CFPB Complaints | 1,254 filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau |
| Federal Court Cases | No published federal FDCPA opinions on record |
| Governed By | Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) |
Wakefield & Associates is a debt collection agency — if they are calling you, a healthcare provider hired them to collect a medical bill they believe you owe.
Unlike debt buyers, Wakefield does not own the debt — they are hired by hospitals and physician groups to collect on their behalf. This matters because if you reach a settlement or dispute, you are ultimately dealing with the original healthcare provider’s account, not a purchased portfolio.
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Who Is Wakefield & Associates?
Wakefield & Associates, Inc. is a third-party debt collection agency headquartered in Aurora, Colorado with 18 locations nationwide. Founded in 1946, Wakefield is one of the older medical debt collectors in the country. They are hired by hospitals, physician groups, and other healthcare organizations to collect past-due patient balances. Because Wakefield collects on behalf of the original provider — rather than purchasing the debt — the original medical provider retains ownership of the account throughout the collection process. Medical debt in particular is prone to billing errors, insurance processing delays, and coordination-of-benefits disputes, which is why verifying the bill before paying is especially important.
Wakefield & Associates Phone Numbers
Wakefield & Associates uses multiple phone numbers when contacting consumers across their 18 locations. If you received a call from any of the numbers below, it was Wakefield — and the same legal rights apply regardless of which number appeared on your caller ID.
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| Phone Number | Reported Use | Consumer Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 800-264-9399 | Primary collections line (Aurora, CO HQ) | HIGH — BBB, Upsolve, Yelp, multiple consumer reports |
| 800-864-3870 | Collections outbound, multiple locations | HIGH — Agruss Law, 800notes.com, Chamber of Commerce |
| 303-537-2900 | Aurora, CO main office | HIGH — Upsolve, BBB Profile |
| 303-872-8492 | Collections outbound | HIGH — Protection for Consumers, multiple complaint sites |
| 866-623-2069 | Collections outbound, harassment complaints on record | HIGH — Agruss Law, Consumer Law Firm Center, YouMail |
Why Is Wakefield & Associates Calling You?
- A hospital, physician group, or other healthcare provider referred your account to collections. Wakefield collects exclusively for healthcare organizations.
- The bill may not have been processed correctly through your insurance. Medical billing errors are common — the CFPB has documented that a significant portion of medical debts in collections are the result of billing or insurance processing failures, not actual unpaid balances.
- You may be the wrong person. Medical accounts are sometimes referred with incorrect patient information, especially if you share a name or former address with another patient.
- They may be adding unauthorized charges. CFPB complaints against Wakefield include reports of interest being applied that was not permitted under the original agreement.
A call from a medical debt collector is not proof you owe anything. Verify before you pay.
What CFPB Complaints Reveal About Wakefield & Associates
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s complaint database contains 1,254 consumer complaints referencing Wakefield & Associates. The most common categories:
Read Consumer Complaint Narratives (6 published accounts)
“This account that has been reported numerous amount of times is basically the same bills. They are adding them to every inquiry for the same month twice and amount. How is this possible to report something over and over with same amounts and in same month. There are just a few that have a different amount but majority are the same.”
“Wakefield & Associates is reporting an account to my consumer report which is FALSE & MISLEADING because I have no legal obligation or contract of any sort with Wakefield & Associates. This is a violation according to CFR 1006.18. I demand for Wakefield & Associates to DELETE the negative item from my credit file, immediately.”
“I have never received any correspondence from Wakefield & Associates in my name. I have never opened an account with Wakefield & Associates, nor have I ever received an invoice, or billing information. The only correspondence that has been sent to our household was addressed to my wife, regarding a duplicate billing error made by the healthcare provider, that Wakefield & Associates is trying to collect on.”
“By unlawfully applying interest charges that were not authorized, Wakefield and Associates, Inc. used ambiguous, misleading and abusive means to collect a debt. Wakefield and Associates Inc. failed to properly disclose the nature of the debt and the amount being collected.”
“Wakefield & Associates did not apply a payment. The company sent a statement for $35.00. A check for $35.00, along with the statement remittance stub, was sent to Wakefield & Associates. The statement number to which to apply the payment was written clearly on the check face and the amount was noted on the remittance, yet the account was still sent to collections.”
“Wakefield & Associates have two derogatory statements that have impacted my credit report and stopped me from obtaining credit. My score has dropped points and it has ruined my score — for accounts I did not recognize and that I believe were reported in error.”
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Narratives published only when the consumer provides consent. Personal information redacted by the CFPB.
What To Do If Wakefield & Associates Is Calling You
- First, verify the bill was processed correctly through your insurance before assuming you owe the full amount. Medical debt is the most error-prone category of consumer debt — insurance coordination failures, billing code errors, and duplicate bills all result in incorrect collection attempts. Contact your insurer’s member services line to confirm the claim was processed and what your actual patient responsibility is. Do not pay Wakefield until this is confirmed.
- Request an itemized statement of services. Wakefield collects medical bills, and you have the right to a complete itemized bill from the original healthcare provider. Billing errors are common — charges for services not rendered, duplicate line items, and incorrect insurance adjustments are regularly found when consumers review itemized bills. The amount Wakefield claims may not match what the provider actually billed or what you owe after insurance.
- Request a debt validation notice in writing. Wakefield is legally required to send you a written notice within 5 days of first contact. If they have not, demand one. You then have 30 days to dispute the debt in writing.
- Check your state’s statute of limitations. Medical debt has a statute of limitations like any other debt — they cannot sue you after the window closes. Check your state here.
- Send a cease-and-desist if you want calls to stop. A written request by certified mail legally requires them to stop contacting you (except to confirm receipt or advise of legal action).
- Document everything. Date, time, what they said, which number called. If they violate the FDCPA, each violation can be worth up to $1,000 plus attorney fees in federal court.
For the complete guide: Your Rights When a Debt Collector Calls.
Your FDCPA rights in brief: Wakefield & Associates must stop collection if you send a written cease request by certified mail. You can demand written debt verification within 30 days of first contact. FDCPA violations can be sued in federal court for up to $1,000 plus attorney fees. Full rights breakdown here.
Key Takeaways
- Wakefield & Associates is a third-party medical debt collector based in Aurora, Colorado, founded in 1946
- Their primary known phone numbers are 800-264-9399 and 800-864-3870; also use 303-537-2900, 303-872-8492, 866-623-2069
- They collect for hospitals and physician groups — they do not own the debt
- 1,254 CFPB complaints — the #1 issue is attempting to collect debt not actually owed (~440 complaints, ~35%)
- Complaints include unauthorized interest, duplicate billing, and credit reporting errors
- Verify insurance processing and request an itemized bill before paying anything
Free Tool — Statute of Limitations Checker: Dealing with old debt? The free Statute of Limitations Checker tells you if the collection clock has expired in your state — including the zombie debt and clock-restarting traps collectors use. Check My Status →
Free Tool — Debt Collector Rights Lookup: Being contacted by a debt collector? The free Debt Collector Rights Lookup shows your state-specific protections — statute of limitations, garnishment limits, and what collectors are legally prohibited from doing. Look Up Your Rights →
Frequently Asked Questions About Wakefield & Associates
Who is Wakefield & Associates?
Wakefield & Associates, Inc. is a third-party medical debt collector headquartered in Aurora, Colorado, with 18 locations nationwide. Founded in 1946, Wakefield collects past-due medical bills on behalf of hospitals, physician groups, and other healthcare providers. Unlike debt buyers, Wakefield does not own the debt — they are hired by the original healthcare provider to collect on their behalf. They have 1,254 consumer complaints in the CFPB database.
Is Wakefield & Associates a scam?
Wakefield & Associates is a legitimate, licensed debt collection agency — not a fraud operation. However, medical debt collection is notoriously error-prone. Wakefield has 1,254 CFPB complaints, with the largest category being attempts to collect debt not owed. CFPB narratives document cases of duplicate billing, payments not applied, and interest added without authorization. If you receive a call from Wakefield, verify the underlying medical bill with your insurer before assuming the amount is correct.
Why is Wakefield & Associates calling me if I don’t recognize the debt?
Wakefield collects medical bills, and medical billing errors are common. Your insurance may not have processed the claim correctly, leaving a balance that should have been covered. The account may also belong to a family member or reflect a billing code error. Wakefield’s top CFPB complaint category — roughly 35% of filings — is attempting to collect debt not owed. Always request an itemized bill from the original healthcare provider and confirm with your insurer before paying anything.
Does Wakefield & Associates collect medical debt, and do I have extra rights?
Yes, Wakefield specializes in medical debt. Under federal law, medical debt under $500 cannot be included on credit reports, and unpaid medical debt must be at least one year old before it can appear on your report. The No Surprises Act (effective 2022) also limits surprise billing for emergency and out-of-network services. If Wakefield is collecting a bill you believe should have been covered by insurance, contact your insurer’s member services line and, if necessary, file a complaint with your state insurance commissioner. You may also have the right to request financial assistance (charity care) directly from the hospital before the bill enters collections.
How do I stop Wakefield & Associates from calling?
Send a written cease-and-desist letter by certified mail to Wakefield & Associates, Inc. at 10800 E. Bethany Drive, Suite 450, Aurora, CO 80014. Under the FDCPA, once they receive your written request they must stop contacting you, except to confirm receipt or inform you of specific legal action. Keep your certified mail receipt as proof of delivery. This does not resolve the underlying bill, but it stops the calls while you investigate the debt.
Can Wakefield & Associates sue me?
Yes, Wakefield can file a lawsuit to collect, but only within your state’s statute of limitations for the type of debt. No published federal FDCPA court opinions have been found involving Wakefield, which suggests they resolve most disputes before litigation. Medical debt statutes of limitations vary by state — typically 3 to 6 years from the date of service or last payment. If the debt is time-barred in your state, they cannot win in court.
Should I pay Wakefield & Associates or try to negotiate?
Only pay after you have confirmed the amount is accurate. First, verify that your insurance processed the claim correctly. Second, request an itemized bill from the original provider. If the debt is legitimate and within the statute of limitations, Wakefield — or more importantly, the original provider — may accept less than the full balance. Many hospitals also have financial assistance programs for patients who qualify. If the debt is not yours or has an error, dispute it in writing and file a CFPB complaint.
Know Your Rights: If a debt collector is contacting you, you have legal protections. See the complete list of FDCPA violations collectors commit most often. Use the free Debt Validation Letter Generator to demand proof of the debt, or check this collector’s complaint history with the Scam-O-Meter.
Dealing With Debt? Before you pay a collector, understand all your debt relief options — including ones the collector won’t tell you about. If the debt feels unmanageable, take the 2-minute bankruptcy quiz to see if the math favors a fresh start. Federal Reserve research shows filers recover faster than those who don’t file.
