CBC Collections, Inc. (CBC) is a third-party collection agency based in Tennessee that specializes in collecting delinquent medical bills. CBC has received consumer complaints alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), such as using false or misleading information in an effort to collect a debt and attempting to collect debts not owed. If CBC has contacted you about past due collection items,make sure you understand your rights before taking action.
The harassing company pays our fees.
They’re legit. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), CBC Collections, Inc. was founded in 2006.The BBB also established a profile page for CBC in 2006. The BBB lists CBC as a collection agency that uses the alternate business names, Mar-Joe Enterprises, Credit Bureau Services, Inc., and Credit Bureau of Kingsport. Buzzfile estimates CBC’s annual revenue at $1.3 million and the size of its headquarters staff at 20 employees. Buzzfile also indicates that CBC uses the alternate business name, Credit Bureau of Tri-Cities.
According to its website, CBC Collections “represents over 100 years of experience in the collection industry.” CBC states that it is “large enough to handle large volumes of business on a monthly placement but… small enough to provide personal service to …customers with a strong commitment to communication in order to reach a successful resolution on any problems that may arise concerning client or debtor.”
CBC does not state specifically the types of businesses or industries for whom they collect debts. However, their website states that “patient privacy is a primary concern of…staff, with… everyone …HIPAA-trained and up-to-date with the latest regulations.” Thus, medical and healthcare service providers appear to be a large part of CBC’s client base.
CBC Collections provides “traditional debt recovery,” with “accounts placed for collection… acknowledged upon receipt and set up for immediate collection in their fully automated … system. Collection action is initiated within 48 hours from the time of placement, often within 24 hours.” In addition, “each account receives an initial written demand which includes a validation clause… to bring to the surface any disputes, … thereby allowing …collection staff to… continue collection efforts while encouraging a satisfactory client/debtor relationship.” Self-pay services include a “team of customer service representatives dedicated to the client organization, including …project managers/supervisors…and a dedicated compliance team using a state-of-the-art patient accounting system… integrated with an interactive, automated dialer, and statement and letter generation.”
CBC states that its staff adheres closely to HIPAA, FDCPA, TCPA, and CFPB regulations. Their Privacy Policy page mentions several additional regulatory compliance policies. However, their website does not provide links or references to consumer protection resources or 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.
As of September 2019, the BBB has closed 19 complaints against CBC Collections Inc in the preceding three years, with 5 complaints closed in the previous 12 months. Almost all of those complaints cited problems with billing and collections. As of April 2015, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has closed 77 complaints involving CBC and/or Mar-Joe Enterprises. Justia lists at least 2 cases of civil litigation involving CBC.
CBC Collections, Inc.
2016 Highway 75, Suite 6
Blountville, TN 37617
Telephone:(423) 354-0035
Website: http://www.cbcollects.com/
It is illegal for a debt collector to make empty threats to sue you or garnish your wages. It is also unlikely CBC 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!
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Unlawful Debt Harassment? Learn the Law & Sue the Collector.
Absolutely. You can sue a debt collector. Here is a Sample Case Complaint:
Complaints against CBC Collections cite problems resulting from disputes about the validity of debts and the accuracy of information reported to the credit reporting agencies.In February 2019, a complainant stated that CBC was“attempting to collect a debt discharged in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy in violation of … state and federal laws.” According to the complainant, he had filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Tennessee 4 years prior to the complaint. He had received a notice of discharge shortly after filing but complained that CBC was “continuing to illegally pursue collection of the discharged debt by reporting an open account with a balance of $500 to his credit file.” Allegedly, the debt was sold to CBC by a sleep disorder specialist as a medical debt a month after the complainant had received notice that his bankruptcy had been discharged in court. The complainant stated that “the issue he was having was that this debt is being reported as having an outstanding balance… and …does not include verbiage to indicate that it was included in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Both of these are violations of” federal law. The complainant said he had “made multiple attempts to dispute the debt both directly with the agency as well as through the” credit reporting agencies. Regardless, “CBC continues to validate the debt even after they have been notified repeatedly of the discharge.” The complainant concluded by stating that his complaint was “the final course of action prior to filing a civil suit against the agency.” He requested that CBC “first delete the tradelines from all credit files with each of the credit bureaus…within 30 days of receipt of this complaint. Failure to comply will be accepted as a final refusal to comply with federal law…Secondly, he requested that the agency…discontinue this practice with future customers.”
In response, CBC Collections stated that they“were unaware of this bankruptcy filing until recently when it was disputed with the credit bureaus” at the time of the complaint. CBC stated that they had “sent this account to all the bureaus to be completely removed.” The complainant rejected the attempted resolution, stating he would only “accept this response at the point he sees the tradeline has been removed from all credit files.”
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).
But here’s the rub: If you want to enforce your rights, or recover money for violations — you need to sue. These 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…
“I used to get up to 15 calls a week from several collection agencies. It got so bad I felt like I should just get a new phone number to make it quit. Happily, I discovered Lemberg Law. They immediately put an end to the calls. Now, when my phone rings I do not dread it.”
“I would recommend your company to anyone. You have the debt collectors off my back, and I will finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Throughout the entire procedure your employees were courteous and professional. I was blown away by their efficacy also.
“Prior to contacting you, we had tried repeatedly to handle this matter without threatening litigation. In the end, not only were they unapologetic, but they were dismissive – even of an attorney friend who called on our behalf. Sincerest thanks for resolving this matter for us!”
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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."
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