General Service Bureau Inc or GSB is a debt collection agency, which receives a lot of consumer complaints to our law firm for debt harassment. Find out who they are, why they might be calling, and how you can stop them.
General Service Bureau or GSB is a third-party collection agency based in Nebraska. GSB has received consumer complaints alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA), including making false statements and threatening to take actions that cannot legally be taken. If this debt collector has contacted you about past due collection items, make sure you know your rights before you take action.
The harassing company pays our fees.
They’re legit. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), General Service Bureau, Inc. is a legitimate collection agency founded in 1946 and incorporated in 1958. The BBB established a profile page for GSB in 1961. GSB is listed a collection agency and accounting and bookkeeping machine provider. Buzzfile estimates GSB’s annual revenue at $9.0 million and the size of its headquarters staff at 65 employees.
According to its website, GSB is a respected leader in the healthcare receivables management industry with a mission of enhancing the financial well-being of others. The GSB website states that this “principle defines every aspect of GSB’s workflow, culture, client interaction, and service philosophy.” GSB cites as their strengths faster recoveries, better service, superior staff, smart technology, customized processes, and dedication to quality.
General Service Bureau collects delinquent debts exclusively for healthcare providers. GSB is actually comprised of two independent organizations—Early Out Services, Inc. (EOS) and General Service Bureau, Inc. Together these entities operate collectively as GSB. EOS offers self-pay management, insurance follow-up, and special project programs to allow businesses “to focus on opportunities for greater reimbursement.” EOS’s pre-collection services feature “highly customized solutions”; a “stringent recruiting process” resulting in dedicated teams with a low turnover rate; automated, PPMS-certified processes; patient friendly letters and statements; and patient-friendly telephone contact.
GSB’s collection services feature a professional collection staff with a 70% certification rate with the American Collector Association (ACA); a “consultative approach to the collection process”; favorable staffing levels that enable the lowest collector-to-account ratio “in the industry.”; “balance-driven, multi-phase work efforts”; and “diligent skip efforts.”
GSB has received certification through ACA International’s Professional Practices Management System (PPMS), placing it among 1% of all collection agencies worldwide. PPMS certification “covers 18 crucial aspects” and “is bestowed upon agencies that complete a rigorous application and audit process.” GSB also maintains a program of ethics training for its staff. GSB has made a commitment to community involvement and has received many awards and recognitions. However, their website is client-facing and does not include a page with links and references to consumer protection resources, laws, and enforcement agencies.
Who are we? We are Lemberg Law, a Consumer Law Firm
Lemberg Law is a consumer law firm helping victims of collection harassment and abuse. We are ranked A+ by the BBB. We’ve helped more than 15,000 consumers stop harassment and recover money from debt collectors. Harassed? Abused? Misled by a collector? Call our Helpline today! There is no charge unless we win.
The BBB has closed 27 complaints against General Service Bureau in the past 3 years, with 11 complaints closed in the previous 12 months. Most of those complaints alleged problems with billing and collections. As of March 2015, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has closed a total of 13 complaints against GSB. Justia lists at least 3 causes of civil litigation involving GSB.
General Service Bureau, Inc.
10303 Crown Point Ave., Ste. 210
Omaha, NE 68134-1061
Telephone: (402) 255-5025
Website: eosgsb.com
It is illegal for a debt collector to make empty threats to sue you or garnish your wages. It is also unlikely GSB would sue you for a debt you may not owe or they cannot validate. However, debt collection agencies are known to have summoned debtors to court and garnish wages after a default judgement. Contacting an attorney BEFORE this could possibly happen would be a smart move. We’ve helped thousands of consumers fight back against unscrupulous debt collection harassers. Find out if we can help you too today!
Get Free BBB A+ Attorney. Call 475-277-1600 NOW
Unlawful Debt Harassment? Learn the Law & Sue the Collector.
Absolutely. You can sue a debt collector. Here are some Sample Complaints
In December 2003, in United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, a judge issued a memorandum and order in a case alleging General Service Bureau had violated the FDCPA and the Nebraska Consumer Protection Act (NCPA). In this case, there were five plaintiffs, all of whom claimed that GSB violated the FDCPA provision against the “use of unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect any debt.” Specifically, GSB pursued collection of delinquent debts from the plaintiffs in this case through the Nebraska court system. As part of that process, “GSB admitted that it recovered attorney fees, costs, and interest without obtaining a judgment.” Furthermore, “one listed example of an unfair or unconscionable action under the FDCPA is ‘the collection of any amount (including interest, fee, charge, or expense incidental to the principal obligation)’ unless ‘authorized by the agreement or permitted by law.’” The court determined “as a matter of law that Neb.Rev.Stat. § 25-1801 does not permit collection of amounts in excess of the debt without first obtaining a judgment.” As a result, “GSB’s practice of routinely collecting these amounts in reliance on the statutory grant contained in Neb.Rev.Stat. § 25-1801 is a violation of the FDCPA.” The court stated that General Service Bureau “sought recovery in county court under the jurisdiction provided by Neb.Rev.Stat. § 25-1801 and sought fees pursuant to that statute, …but there has been no showing that the claims (debts) at issue were liquidated.” As a result, the court concluded that “GSB’s argument that it is entitled to collect interest by virtue of Neb.Rev.Stat. § 45-104 is without merit.” The court also stated that “GSB’s reliance on the Uniform Commercial Code to support its collection of fees is similarly lacking in merit. As the court noted in its earlier order, the fact that incidental damages may be awarded under Nebraska law does not mean that they can be awarded absent a judgment.” As for the NCPA charges, the court upheld the plaintiffs’ right to bring charges that GSB had violated the NCPA’s provision that “unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of any trade or commerce shall be unlawful.” Because this case was a class action that affected the public interest, the court rejected GSB’s “contention that the NCPA covers only monopolies and price-fixing.”
Thus, the court granted the plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment on their FDCPA claim, finding that “as a matter of law…Neb.Rev.Stat. § 25-1801 does not authorize collection of attorney fees in a debt collection action without entry of judgment.” The court also denied GSB’s motion for summary judgement. However, because there were still issues of material fact that needed to be decided at trial, the plaintiffs’ “motion for summary judgment was denied in all other respects.” Due to the nature of the NCPA, the court also determined that the plaintiffs were not entitled to a jury trial on their NCPA claim.”
Federal laws protect you. The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA) regulates the behavior of collection agencies by prohibiting actions such as the use of abusive or threatening language; harassment; or the use of false or misleading information to collect a debt. The FCRA regulates how collection agencies and creditors report delinquent debts to credit reporting agencies. Additional consumer protection laws include the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA).
Yes. If you want to enforce your rights, or recover money for violations — you need to sue. Federal laws provide individuals like you with a means to seek monetary damages in court. For example, the FDCPA allows consumers who have been violated to recover damages of up to $1,000, plus attorney fees and court costs.
You may have a case, if…
“To anybody who has a problem with a debt collector, I highly suggest Lemberg Law. I obtained attentive, personalized service and obtained resolution within three months.”
“I could not have stopped the collection calls myself.
“Thank you Lemberg Law!!! Harassed non-stop by rude collectors. My attorney was speedy and polite, really knew what she was doing. They took my call, asked what was going on, never interrupted, and were extremely patient. I knew what was going on every step of the way. They got the calls to stop and sent me a check in the mail as promised. I even paid off my debt with the settlement! Ha!.”
“Thank you for standing with me Lemberg Law. I was so afraid I could lose my job because of a caller who called my job number 4 hours straight back to back. He not only harassed and threatened me but also abused workmates who received the call when I wasn’t around. Since I solicited for your services, I’ve had a peace of mind, and I’m happy because of the few dollars I got as a settlement.”
We can absolutely help. Call us today.
Share your story
Have you had a bad experience with this agency’s debt collectors? Sound off and share your experience with other visitors in the comment box below.
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
See more posts from Sergei Lemberg
