OLYMPIA, Wash. — A Denver-based collection agency must return $475,000 to Washington consumers.
Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Tuesday the agency, called Machol and Johannes, has to return the money and forgive an additional $250,000 in fees.
Ferguson filed a lawsuit in April of 2020 claiming violations of Washington’s Consumer Protection Act because the collection agency failed to offer consumers garnishment exemptions and unlawfully assessed fees to consumers without collecting money from them.
The agency must also reimburse the State of Washington office for the cost of the investigation.
The Attorney General’s office will mail checks and notice directly to eligible consumers so they do not need to contact anyone to get restitution.