Hunter Warfield debt-collection calls $235K class action settlement

Hunter Warfield agreed to a $235,000 settlement to resolve claims it placed excessive debt collection calls to Massachusetts residents.

The settlement benefits Massachusetts residents who received two debt-collection phone calls within a seven-day period between May 16, 2015, and June 6, 2019.

Hunter Warfield is a debt-collection company that offers services for several industries. According to the company’s website, Hunter Warfield boasts over $574 million in successful recoveries over its three decades of debt collection services.

However, while collecting debts from Massachusetts customers, Hunter Warfield may have violated state debt-collection laws with harassing calls.

A 2019 class action lawsuit claims the debt-collection company called customers at an “excessive and harassing rate” in violation of Massachusetts’ Debt Collection Regulations. 

Under these regulations, debt collectors cannot call Massachusetts more than once in a seven-day period — regardless of the outcome of a call. As long as a creditor is able to reach the consumer and leave a voice message, it counts as a call.

The plaintiff says he received more than two calls from Hunter Warfield within a seven day period. For example, in January 2019 and April 2019, Hunter Warfield allegedly called the plaintiff three times in a seven-day period. In addition, the plaintiff says he received repeated voicemails from the company.

According to the debt collection class action lawsuit, these harassing calls were distracting, an inconvenience and caused the plaintiff anger, anxiety, emotional distress, fear and frustration. Additionally, the calls allegedly wasted the plaintiff’s time and energy.

Hunter Warfield hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to resolve these allegations with a $235,000 class action settlement.

Under the terms of the Hunter Warfield settlement, class members can recover a cash payment. Exact payment amounts will vary depending on the number of class members that participate in the settlement, though each class member will receive an equal share of the net settlement fund.

If funds remain after the first round of settlement checks, a second round of payments may be distributed to class members that cashed their first check. If funds don’t warrant an additional distribution, remaining funds will be donated to a cy pres recipient. No settlement funds will revert to Hunter Warfield.

The deadline for objection is Aug. 8, 2022. No exclusion deadline is mentioned on the settlement website. 

The final approval hearing for the Hunter Warfield settlement is scheduled for Oct. 25, 2022.

In order to recover a cash payment from the settlement, class members must submit a valid claim form by Aug. 8, 2022.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement benefits Massachusetts residents who received two debt-collection phone calls within a seven-day period between May 16, 2015, and June 6, 2019.

Potential Award

TBD

Proof of Purchase

Claim Number and PIN, or the phone number Hunter Warfield called

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

08/08/2022

Case Name

Mercedes Uribe v. Hunter Warfield, Inc., Case No. 1981cv01405, in the Superior Court for the County of Middlesex of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Final Hearing

10/25/2022

Settlement Website

UribeSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Uribe v. Hunter Warfiled Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 43501
Providence, R.I. 02940-3501
866-789-1402

Class Counsel

LEMBERG LAW LLC

Defense Counsel

CARLSON & MESSER LLP

PEABODY & ARNOLD LLP

MALONE FROST MARTIN PLLC