Thousands of people in the United States are the target of debt collection agency harassment. According to the Consumer Protection Finance Bureau, 27% of consumers have felt threatened by a debt collection agency representative. Nearly 40% say a collection agency continued contacting them after sending a cease and desist letter.
If a debt collection agency like Credit Bureau Systems Inc. calls you at inappropriate hours or continues calling you after you ask them to stop, you can work with a consumer protection lawyer to end the harassment.
What is Credit Bureau Systems Inc.?
Credit Bureau Systems Inc. (CBS) is a debt collection company in KY. The company’s primary focus is collecting medical debt on behalf of healthcare companies and health insurance. They also offer billing management services and revenue cycle management for various clients in the medical industry.
CBS claims to adhere to the Federal Debt and Consumer Protection Act (FDCPA) guidelines and has posted an icon on its website signifying that it is FDCPA Certified. CBS also professes to be HIPPA-compliant and is a member of the Healthcare Billing and Management Association.
Complaints Against Credit Bureau Systems Inc.
CBS is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and carries an A+ rating. However, they have an overall customer review rating of 2.33 out of 5 stars and 17 customer complaints.
Two of the top complaints reference appalling customer service and inaccurate billing statements. Consumers reported that the company was challenging to get a hold of and only responded after the threat of litigation. One consumer said their insurance company had already paid the bill in collections, while another accused CBS of doubling their bill.
Signs Credit Bureau Systems Inc. is Harassing You
When a debt collector from CBS or any other agency contacts you, they must refrain from certain activities outlined in the FDCPA. If a CBS representative does any of the following, it may be considered harassment:
- Misrepresent themself as a lawyer or government agent
- Threaten you in any way
- Use foul or abusive language
- Speak to anyone else about your debt or tell them why they are contacting you
- Call you at-off hours, such as early in the morning or late at night
- Call you repeatedly (such as five times in one day)
- Try to get you to pay on a debt you don’t owe
- Threaten to take your property
- Continue contacting you if you ask them to stop
- Falsify information on your credit report
If a representative of CBS has committed any of these actions, you may have grounds for a consumer protection lawsuit. Speak with an attorney at Mike Agruss Law to learn your legal options.
Federal and State Consumer Protection Laws
The FDCPA provides the most protection against predatory debt collectors. It offers guidelines for what agencies like CBS can and can’t do and outlines how you can approach dealing with these organizations.
For example, if a debt collector contacts you, you have the right to ask for validation regarding your debt. Per the FDCPA, you can ask CBS to tell you:
- Your total debt amount
- The creditor you owe
- How you can contact the original creditor
- Steps to take if you believe the debt doesn’t belong to you
The FDCPA also gives you the right to send a cease and desist letter to the agency to stop contact. The company must stop contacting you or risk penalties for harassment.
Illinois offers protection under the Illinois Collection Agency Act (ICAA), which makes it illegal for debt collectors to exaggerate or lie about litigation, operate without a state-issued license, or threaten arrest for not paying your debt.
The state also sets statutes of limitations around when an agency can sue you about certain debts. The agency can’t take you to court if it’s been over 10 years for a written contract or 5 years for a verbal contract.
What Should You Do if Credit Bureau Systems Inc. is Harassing You?
If CBS violates your FDCPA rights, contact a consumer protection lawyer. Your attorney can educate you about your consumer rights so you understand the signs of debt collection harassment and know your legal options. They can also help you end harassment by sending a certified letter telling the agency to stop contacting you and asking for validation of your debt.
Your attorney can file a lawsuit against CBS or the offending agency if your rights have already been violated. The FDCPA allows for up to $1,000 in compensation for a violation, so take your case to a knowledgeable attorney with Mike Agruss Law for legal advice.
Stop Credit Bureau Systems Inc. Harassment
Debt collection harassment is illegal and can cause you to feel stress and anxiety—end Credit Bureau Systems Inc. harassment with the help of Mike Agruss Law. Our team of skilled consumer protection lawyers can help you understand your rights and stop this or any other debt collection agency from using illegal techniques to try and collect payments.
Contact our attorneys for a free consultation to stop harassing communications from Credit Bureau Systems Inc. and get your life back to normal.
