Can You Remove Wakefield and Associates Collections from Your Credit Report?

You can remove a Wakefield and Associates collections entry only if it’s inaccurate, unauthorized, or cannot be verified by the credit bureaus. 

If the debt is valid and reporting correctly, it typically cannot be deleted, but you can resolve it and rebuild, sometimes negotiating how it reports. Below you’ll find the exact steps to validate, dispute, or resolve the account the right way.

 What is “Wakefield and Associates collections”?

Wakefield and Associates (often shown as Wakefield & Associates, Wakefield Debt Collectors, or Wakefield Payment Solutions) is a third-party debt collector. On a credit report, the name may appear as a collection account tied to a medical bill, consumer account, or another charged-off debt. You may also see location references like Wakefield and Associates Fort Morgan, CO or state tags such as Wakefield and Associates MO.

Because collectors sometimes maintain multiple offices or divisions, correspondence may reference “Eastern Division” (people sometimes search for Wakefield and Associates Eastern Division photos to confirm they’re dealing with the right company). Always verify any contact details against your letter and keep photos/scans of envelopes and letters in your records.

Why does this collection show up at all

A collection appears when a creditor assigns or sells an unpaid account to a debt collector. Wakefield then furnishes (reports) that account to one or more bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax). The entry may include:

• The collector name (Wakefield and Associates)
• The original creditor (who you originally owed)
• The balance claimed, dates, and status (open/closed, paid/unpaid)

If any of that data is wrong, incomplete, or unverified, you have rights under the FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) and FDCPA (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act) to correct or remove the entry.

Can you get a pay-for-delete with Wakefield?

Sometimes a collector will agree to stop furnishing after payment (this is colloquially called “pay-for-delete”). Many agencies decline these requests or will only consider them in narrow circumstances. Even if they agree verbally, get it in writing before paying.

The cleanest, most compliant path to deletion is proof of inaccuracy or lack of verification. If the account is accurate and verified, expect the item to update (paid/settled) rather than disappear. That update can still help your manual underwriting conversations and your overall profile over time.

Compliance reminder: Never dispute truthful, verifiable negatives. Focus on errors, mixed files, identity theft, or incomplete documentation.

Exactly what to do next (step-by-step)

Here are seven (7) steps you need to remove a Wakefield and Associates collection from your credit report.

Step 1:  Pull fresh reports from all three bureaus

Get your most recent Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax reports. Note the opened/assigned dates, balance, original creditor, and any account numbers.

Step 2: Compare your records

Match the reported details against your documentation: invoices, EOBs (for medical), statements, emails, and payment receipts. Look for:

• Wrong amounts or dates
• A debt you never authorized
• Duplicate collections for the same account
• A mix-up with someone who shares your name or address (mixed file)

Step 3: Send a Debt Validation request to Wakefield (FDCPA)

Within 30 days of the first notice (or anytime if you never got one), you can ask Wakefield to validate the original creditor, itemization, dates, and documents showing you owe the debt. Request all communications in writing. Send certified mail and keep copies.

Validation letter essentials (short template):

• Identify the account as shown in their letter.
• State you dispute the debt and request validation (contract, statements, itemized balance, date of last payment, original creditor).
• Ask for the collector’s license information, where required, and their mailing address.
• Request that the collection activity cease until validation is provided.

Step 4: If the data looks wrong, dispute with the bureaus (FCRA)

File a written dispute with each bureau reporting the item. Include:

• A brief explanation of what’s inaccurate (e.g., wrong balance/date/ownership)
• Copies of your supporting documents (ID, proof of address, statements, receipts, police/FTC report if identity theft)
• A clear request: correct or delete if they cannot verify within the FCRA investigation window (generally 30–45 days)

Pro tip: Send disputes by certified mail and keep a log. A tidy paper trail is your best friend.

Step 5:  Follow up with the original creditor

Sometimes the original creditor’s records contradict the collector’s. Ask for the final statement, charge-off date, and any adjustments. If the original creditor confirms an error, send that to the bureaus and Wakefield.

Step 6: If it’s accurate and you owe it, choose a clean resolution

• Pay in full or settle (get terms in writing).
• Ask (politely) if they’ll request deletion after payment. If they refuse, ask that the account be updated to “paid” or “settled” promptly and that any dispute remarks be cleared.
• Confirm that Wakefield will report the same status to all bureaus where it appears.

Step 7: Monitor the update and keep everything

After payment, watch your reports for 30–60 days. If the status doesn’t update, send a follow-up with your proof of payment and the prior agreement letter.

How long can Wakefield and Associates stay on your report?

Collections generally report for up to seven years from the original creditor’s date of first delinquency (the first missed payment that led to charge-off), not from when a collector started contacting you. If Wakefield is reporting a timeline that extends beyond that, dispute the obsolescence with the bureaus.

Will paying help your score?

It depends on the scoring model your lender uses:

• Some newer models reduce the impact of paid collections compared to unpaid ones.
• Many mortgage lenders still use older models that may count paid collections.

Regardless, resolving a valid collection can help manual underwriting and future approvals, and it clears the path for healthier credit use (lower utilization, new positive tradelines).

“Wakefield Payment Solutions” and other naming quirks

Collectors can appear under slightly different names or divisions (e.g., Wakefield Payment Solutions, Wakefield and Associates Eastern Division). 

The entity should still prove it has the right to collect and that the data furnished is accurate. If your letterhead or portal branding looks unfamiliar, keep photos, verify the address on the letter, and match it to what’s on your credit report before you interact.

If you suspect identity theft or a mixed file

• File an FTC Identity Theft Report and consider a police report (optional but helpful).
• Place a fraud alert (free) or security freeze with all three bureaus.
• Dispute the Wakefield entry with copies of your reports.
• Ask Wakefield to block the account if it stems from identity theft, providing your FTC/police documentation.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Calling without a paper trail. Phone calls can get messy; write whenever possible.
• Paying before validation. Confirm the details first.
• Agreeing to terms verbally. Get everything in writing: amount, status update, and any deletion language.
• Disputing accurate information. Focus on errors and unverified items to protect your credibility.
• Ignoring state rules. Some states have extra protections or licensing requirements for collectors; check your state attorney general’s guidance.

Sample language you can adapt

Debt Validation (to collector):

“I dispute this debt and request validation under the FDCPA. Please provide the original creditor’s name, an itemized breakdown, the date of last payment, and copies of any documents bearing my signature. Until validation is provided, please cease collection activity and contact me in writing only.”

Bureau Dispute (to Experian/TransUnion/Equifax):

“I am disputing the Wakefield and Associates collection (Acct #XXXX). The balance and open date do not match the original creditor’s records (see attached statements). Please investigate and correct or delete any unverifiable information.”

Settlement/Update (to collector after agreement):

“Per our agreement dated [date], I will pay/settle the account for $_____. Please confirm in writing that you will (1) update all bureaus to Paid/Settled within 30 days, and (2) remove any dispute notations.”

How Credit Veto helps (do-it-right tools)

1. Tri-bureau monitoring & instant alerts:Catch new collections or balance spikes before they cost you approvals.
2. Guided disputes: Challenge only inaccurate information with pre-built letters, optional e-notarization, and certified mail tracking.
3. Validation workflows: Keep your documents, timelines, and responses organized in one place.
4. Compliance-first stance: We never dispute accurate negatives or make risky promises. We help you fix what’s wrong and prove what’s right.

Special notes on locations and labels

If your paperwork references Wakefield and Associates Fort Morgan, CO or Wakefield and Associates MO, treat the location as identification only; your rights don’t change. 

Save photos/scans of envelopes (return addresses, postmarks) and letters; attach them to disputes when address or identity is in question.

Conclusion

Yes, you can remove Wakefield and Associates from your credit report if the account is inaccurate, unauthorized, or unverifiable. If it’s valid and the data checks out, focus on validation, resolution, and clean reporting rather than chasing deletions that may not be offered. Keep your communications in writing, build a tidy paper trail, and track updates across all three bureaus.

If you want a calmer, faster process, Credit Veto gives you monitoring, guided disputes for inaccuracies, timeline reminders, and optional mailing tools so nothing slips through the cracks. Book a call with us today to clean up your messy credit report and increase your score.

FAQs (People Also Ask)

• Is Wakefield and Associates legit?

Wakefield and Associates is a debt collection company. If they’re contacting you, you can (and should) request debt validation to confirm the debt details before paying.

• How do I remove Wakefield and Associates from my report?

Prove the reporting is inaccurate or unverifiable and dispute with the bureaus. If the information is accurate, deletion is uncommon; aim for paid/settled updates and rebuild.

• Should I pay Wakefield and Associates or dispute first?

If you’re unsure the debt is yours or the amount is correct, validate first. If the debt is valid and within the statute of limitations, resolving it can help you move forward.

• What is Wakefield Payment Solutions?

It’s a name/label sometimes associated with Wakefield’s payment or collections operations. It doesn’t change your rights; still validate and keep records.

• How long will a Wakefield collection stay on my credit?

Up to seven years from the original delinquency date with the original creditor, not from the date a collector acquired the debt.

• Can Wakefield and Associates sue me?

Collectors can file suits in some cases. Laws vary by state and the statute of limitations applies. If you receive a court document, respond by the deadline and consider legal advice.

• I’m in Fort Morgan, CO (or Missouri). Does location change my rights?

Your federal rights under FDCPA/FCRA are the same. Some states add extra protections or licensing rules; check your state AG’s website.

• What if the Wakefield account isn’t mine?

Treat it as possible identity theft or a mixed file. File an FTC report, consider a police report, place a fraud alert or freeze, and dispute documents.