Penalty Amount
$30,000
Consumers Affected
44
Colorado settled with Wakefield & Associates after finding it sought default judgments on medical debt without meeting legal protections, including providing evidence of the debt. The settlement requires Wakefield to vacate judgments against 44 accounts, meet notice and affidavit requirements before seeking new judgments, and pay $30,000 to the state.
Wakefield must vacate default judgments entered against the 44 accounts and may not seek new judgments against those consumers until it provides legally compliant notices and affidavits. It must pay $30,000 to the state and follow the Colorado Fair Debt Collection Practices Act going forward.
Review debt collection vendor and servicing agreements, as well as agreements with medical providers that authorize or support collections. Require vendors to verify and retain evidence of each debt, provide legally compliant notices and affidavits before pursuing litigation or default judgments, and obtain approval and documentation before filing. Add representations, audit and record-access rights, consumer complaint escalation, corrective-action obligations, and indemnity for violations of applicable debt collection laws; review customer-facing collection notices and procedures for consistency with those obligations.
Entity
Wakefield & Associates, LLC
Industry
OtherOfficial Press Release
https://coag.gov/press-releases/attorney-general-phil-weiser-announces-settlement-with-a-colorado-company-for-unfair-medical-debt-collection-practices/
Wakefield FAO COAG Revision 8 12 26 WA signed68995862
https://coag.gov/app/uploads/2026/09/Wakefield-FAO-COAG-Revision-8-12-26-WA-signed68995862.pdf
Colorado Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://coag.gov/
"Wakefield & Associates, LLC"
"pay $30,000 to the state"
"SB23-093"
"the Colorado Fair Debt Collection Practices Act"
"Wakefield improperly filed for default judgment on medical debt against 44 Colorado accounts."
"Wakefield will vacate any default judgments entered against these accounts and cannot move to file new judgments until notices and affidavits compliant with the law are provided to those consumers."
Wakefield & Associates, LLC (Business Associate, TN) reported a HIPAA breach affecting 31,751 individuals. Breach type: Hacking/IT Incident. Location of breached information: Network Server.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser led a multistate coalition in filing a notice in Character Technologies, Inc.’s bankruptcy, citing concerns about the company’s safety and privacy practices and sensitive chatbot conversations involving children and adults. The filing seeks protections in any sale or transfer of the company’s business or assets; no penalty or final remedy is reported.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser issued a public advisory explaining that e-bikes must meet statutory class requirements and that retailers must clearly disclose what they are selling. The advisory warns that marketing a higher-powered electric vehicle as an e-bike without required disclosures may violate state consumer protection law; it announces no penalty or binding remedy.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and a multistate coalition sued the U.S. Department of Labor over its termination of grants for unemployment insurance system improvements. The states allege the terminations breached their grant agreements and seek money damages; the release does not describe a privacy violation or an imposed penalty.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser joined a multistate coalition in a comment letter opposing HHS’s proposed cuts to Head Start standards. The letter argues the changes could reduce protections and services for children and families; it is an advocacy action, not an enforcement action imposing a penalty or remedy.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser issued an advisory reminding landlords of expanded housing protections for survivors of domestic violence, abuse, stalking, and unlawful sexual behavior. The advisory describes obligations involving repayment plans, lease termination, safety measures, and confidentiality; it does not announce a fine or enforcement order against a named landlord.