Have you recently received a call or letter from CBE Group? If so, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. Don’t panic. We’re here to help you understand your rights and what options are available to you when dealing with CBE Group.
CBE Group is a debt collection agency that uses aggressive tactics to collect on debts. While the company is within its rights to attempt to collect a debt, you also have rights.
Thousands of Americans have been able to successfully dispute and eliminate debts pursued by debt collectors like CBE Group, and you can too.
To protect yourself and your finances, you need to be informed about your legal rights and options.
This article will provide advice and tips on protecting yourself from CBE Group’s aggressive collection tactics. We will discuss the best strategies to fight back against calls and lawsuits.
About CBE Group: Why is CBE Group calling?
The CBE Group is one of the nation’s largest debt collection company with over 90 years of experience in the industry. CBE Group offers debt collection services for schools, healthcare organizations, and government agencies across the United States with over $93 million in annual revenue.
The Cedar Falls company collects health care, student loan debt, and credit card debt.
Most intriguingly, CBE Group also collects overdue taxes for the IRS. The IRS contracts with CBE Group to help collect unpaid federal taxes from individuals and businesses.
If CBE Group has contacted you, or you see them on your credit report, it means that the company is attempting to collect a debt from you. But why?
CBE Group will often represent a creditor to whom you owe money. This could be a bank, credit card company, hospital, or other creditors. These companies will hire CBE Group to collect the debt or sell a portfolio of delinquent debts to the agency.
Once CBE Group is in possession of a debt, they will be relentless in their efforts to collect it. They may send you numerous letters, call you repeatedly, and even take legal action against you to collect the debt.
CBE Group Customer Reviews and Complaints
If you have had any dealings with CBE Group, you may wonder if you’re alone in your experience. The truth is, you’re not.
CBE Group has been the subject of numerous complaints from consumers who have accused the company of illegal and unethical collection practices. Over 1500 complaints have been filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) since 2015 alone.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has also logged over 400 complaints against CBE Group, giving the company a 1/5 star BBB business rating.
In the reviews, consumers have expressed frustration with the company’s aggressive tactics and failure to adhere to consumer protection laws.
The most common complaints against CBE Group include:
• Attempts to collect debt not owed
• Incorrect information on your report
• False statements or representation
• Refusal to validate debts
• Harassment and threatening phone calls
• Incorrect reporting to the credit bureau
• Failure to honor cease and desist letters
• Failing to provide you with written notice of a debt
Here are some customer complaints narratives of CBE Group:
One customer wrote: “I never had any sort of account with them. They are violating my rights by informing the credit bureau incorrectly. Please remove this account from my credit report.”
Another customer wrote: “CBE GROUP PLACED A FRAUDULENT COLLECTION ON MY CREDIT REPORT FOR $367 FROM SPECTRUM! I DO NOT OWE THAT AMOUNT FOR THIS ACCOUNT WAS CLOSED AND I MOVED OUT OF THE PROPERTY WHICH THEY WERE NOTIFIED PRIOR. THIS IS A FRAUDULENT COLLECTION AND NEEDS TO BE REMOVED FROM MY CREDIT ASAP. I WILL BE REACHING OUT TO THE ** AND ALSO THEY ARE VIOLATING THE **** LAWS WITH ALL THE UNWANTED AND HARASSING CALLS.”
Your Right Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDPCA).
The FDPCA is a federal law that protects from unethical practices by debt collectors. It was enacted in 1977 to ensure that consumers are treated fairly and with respect when faced with debt collection activities. According to the FDPCA, debt collectors are prohibited from engaging in certain conduct when collecting a debt, including:
• Using false or deceptive language.
• Harassing you with repeated phone calls.
• Contacting you at unusual times or places that are inconvenient for you.
• Contacting third parties such as your employer or family members.
• Using abusive or threatening language.
• Refusing to provide written validation of the debt when requested.
For the alleged debtor, the law also provides specific rights. These include the right to:
• Request for debt validation.
• Obtain information about who owns the debt and who is collecting it.
• Request the name and address of the original creditor.
• Request that all communication with the collection agency cease.
• Dispute the debt with the collection agency.
If a debt collector violates these laws, you can take legal action and seek compensation for your damages. You may also be able to file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) if you believe that a debt collector has violated the law. The CFPB has the authority to investigate and take action against companies violating the FDPCA.
What to do When CBE Group Contacts you for Debt Collection.
If CBE Group has contacted you for debt collection, you should take the following steps:
Keep a record.
Keep track of all communication, including phone calls, emails, and letters that you have received from CBE Group. Make sure to note the date, time, and any details regarding the conversation. Doing so can help you if you need to dispute the debt or file a complaint.
Request written verification of the debt.
At the initial stage of contact, never admit to any debt, even if you recognize it. You have the legal right to request written verification of the debt from any debt collector, including CBE Group. Since the burden of proof is on the debt collection agency, why not allow them first to provide their evidence? Debt collectors often buy old debts from other companies and may not have the necessary documents to prove ownership. So if you request for validation, they may back off for a while, giving you enough time to get your financial house in order.
Generally, debt collectors must provide you with an itemized debt validation letter that includes information about the debt, such as the amount, who is collecting it, and who owns it. This letter must be provided within five days of your request. Hence, until you receive such a letter, CBE Group must cease all collection efforts.
Send a Cease and Desist Letter.
If CBE Group continues contacting you despite your request for written validation, it is time to send a Cease and Desist Letter. This letter is an official notification to CBE Group that you are aware of your rights and will not tolerate further contact from them. Once they receive this letter, by law, they are not allowed to contact you again except through the legal process.
You can quickly obtain a Cease and Desist letter template online or write your own. In either case, make sure that you include your name, address, and Social Security Number.
Dispute the Debt
Deb collectors sometimes contact individuals for a debt that is not theirs. It could be an old debt, a debt of someone with a similar name, a debt that has passed the statute of limitation, or even a debt from an identity thief. In such cases, you have the legal right to dispute the debt. To do this, you must send a dispute letter to CBE Group along with all supporting documentation proving why the debt is either inaccurate or outdated.
Disputing a debt can also help remove negative information from your credit report. When credit bureaus are notified of the dispute, a notation will be added to your credit report indicating that the debt is being disputed. Investigations will then follow, and if there is no adequate proof, the debt will be removed from your credit report.
Report Illegal Activities
As said earlier, all debt collectors are subject to the strict regulations of the FDPCA. They are not allowed to harass you, use abusive language, threaten you with legal action without having the right to do so, or make false statements. If CBE Group has violated any of these regulations and you have enough evidence to back up your claim, you can file a complaint with the FTC or your state’s attorney general office.
CBE Group may also be subject to other laws, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act or the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. You can read up on all the applicable laws and file a complaint if your rights have been violated.
Consider Debt Settlement
Debt Settlement or Debt Negotiation is a financial strategy that can help reduce the debt you owe. It involves negotiating with your creditors, like CBE Group, to settle your debt for a reduced amount. This can be a great way to eliminate the debt that has become unmanageable due to high-interest rates and fees.
You can negotiate with CBE Group or get professional help from a debt settlement company or debt counselor.
What if CBE Group Sues You?
Although not quite common, debt collectors do sometimes resort to legal action when you fail to make payments. If CBE Group does sue you, it is essential to take action immediately.
Typically, you will receive a summons sent to the address CBE Group has on file. Do not ignore the summons. Ignoring a court order is never a good idea, as it could lead to further legal complications. Specifically, if the debt collector can obtain a judgment against you, it can confiscate your bank accounts or place liens on your property.
Once you have been served a summons, you must respond within the prescribed time stated on the document (usually 20 days). You can seek legal help from a debt attorney who will guide you through the entire process.
However, if you cannot afford a lawyer, you can file an answer on your own. Below are some pointers to help you do this:
• Read the complaints carefully:
Debt collectors can be very tricky in their language. So, ensure you thoroughly read and understand the complaint before responding. This will help guide your response and ensure that you don’t miss out any important details when filing an answer. Take the time to review each line of the complaint and note any omissions or inaccuracies.
• Determine the applicable defense:
Different types of legal defenses can help you contest debt. For instance, you can challenge the debt’s validity based on the statute of limitations, the accuracy of the debt, or the lack of proof that the debt collector owns your debt. Decide on the proper defense and ensure that you have enough evidence to back it up.
• Draft Your Answer:
In your answer, you must explain why the debt is invalid and provide all the evidence supporting your claim. Do not use this opportunity to relate the entire story of your financial troubles. Stick to the facts and use clear language that is easy to understand. Most importantly, do not admit to any allegations made by the debt collector unless you are sure it is accurate. It is always best to deny as many claims as possible, to add more burden of proof to the debt collector.
• File Your Answer:
Once your answer is drafted, it must be filed in court, and a copy sent to the debt collector. As per state and local laws, make sure to file your response before the deadline stated in the Summons. Filing late could result in a default judgment against you.
Conclusion
Dealing with a debt collector such as CBE Group can be intimidating and confusing. However, by understanding your legal rights and taking the necessary steps, you can protect yourself from unwanted harassment.
Remember that debt collectors cannot force you to pay any amount that is not valid or accurate. So, if CBE Group is harassing you, do not hesitate to take action. Dispute the debt, send a cease and desist letter, or even file a complaint for negative behavior.
Lastly, if you are struggling to pay off a debt, consider speaking with an accredited credit counseling agency that can advise on managing your finances and working out a repayment plan that fits your budget.
Get expert advice from our experienced debt counselors today and get help managing your debt.