Judge fines Providence debt collectors for deceiving low-income patients
“Providence debt collector Optimum Outcomes must pay just over $827,000 for violating patients’ debt collection rights, a judge ruled last week in King County Superior Court. Judge Sean O’Donnell ruled the agency violated the state Consumer Protection Act by withholding debt collection rights disclosures — including the right to apply for financial aid — in nearly 83,000 collection notices to Providence patients. The money, a $10 penalty for each violation, will go to the state general fund.”