How To Deal With CBE Group and Protect Your Rights
CBE Group is a legitimate debt collection agency that works for other companies to collect consumer debts. If they contact you, validate the debt first to ensure it's accurate and belongs to you. You have options including disputing inaccurate debts, negotiating settlements, or creating a payment plan that works for your budget.
Get Payment HelpCBE Group LLC is a legitimate debt collection agency focusing on consumer debts. If CBE Group contacts you, validate the alleged debt first. After confirming the debt is yours, decide how to address matters. Your main choices include disputing the debt or negotiating to settle it. When you settle, you pay a reduced portion of the total amount owed.
What Is CBE Group?
CBE Group LLC is a debt collection agency based in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Companies and government agencies hire them to collect unpaid debts.
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Lower Your PaymentsCBE collects debts for many types of businesses and agencies. Healthcare, utilities, phone and internet services, student loans, and government programs are common clients. Their job is contacting people with past-due balances. They try to recover money owed to the original creditor.
Contact information:
- Website: https://www.cbecompanies.com/
- Phone number: (319) 234-6686
- Headquarters address: 1309 Technology Pkwy., Cedar Falls, IA 50613-6976
- Mailing address: PO Box 900 Waterloo, IA 50704-0900
Why Is CBE Group Contacting Me?
CBE Group contact usually means a company you owe asked them to collect. The original creditor couldn’t reach you to work out a resolution. You probably fell behind on payments.
Once an account is placed with CBE Group, they take over collection. They become the main point of contact for questions about the debt. You can discuss payment options, ask for account information, or explore settlement possibilities.
Is CBE Group Legit?
Yes, CBE Group is a legitimate debt collection agency. The Better Business Bureau accredits them with an A+ rating. However, not all consumers have had good experiences.
As of late 2025, many people filed complaints about CBE Group. The BBB received 280 complaints in the past three years. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reported 917 complaints in just the last year.
Some people say CBE Group tried collecting debts they didn’t owe. Others weren’t given enough information to verify the debt. These concerns may involve violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
The FDCPA is a federal law protecting people from unfair collection practices. If you think a debt collector crossed the line, report them to the CFPB. You may even be able to sue for monetary compensation.
How Do I Know if I’m Being Scammed?
Even though CBE Group is real, scammers sometimes pretend to represent legitimate agencies. They might pressure you to share personal details like bank account numbers or Social Security numbers. Real debt collectors usually already have that information.
The best way to guard your information is to validate the debt. Ask for more details. If something feels off, end the call. Scammers refuse to answer questions, threaten you, or demand immediate payment. You don’t need to respond on the spot.
Many people report these interactions to the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC works to stop scams and unfair business practices.
Do I Have To Pay CBE Group?
If CBE Group contacts you, make sure the debt is real first. Details sometimes get mixed up when creditors transfer debts. Wrong balances, incorrect account info, or even the wrong person can happen.
To figure out if the debt is legitimate, request a debt validation letter. Confirm that:
- The debt is an actual debt you owe
- CBE Group has the right to collect it
- The amount they’re asking for is accurate
If the debt isn’t accurate or doesn’t belong to you, the collector should stop contacting you. Request more information to help confirm the details if you’re unsure.
Step 1: Send a Debt Verification Letter
If you haven’t received a debt validation letter from CBE Group, request one. You can also write and send a debt verification letter. Here’s the difference between the two.
A debt validation letter is a document debt collectors must send during first contact. They have five days from initial contact to send it. The letter includes important details about the debt they’re trying to collect. Once you receive it, you have 30 days to dispute the debt or request more information.
If you want to challenge the debt or ask for additional proof, send a debt verification letter. Request documents that confirm the debt is accurate. The collector must prove they have the legal right to collect it.
If you dispute the debt in writing within 30 days, the collector must pause collection efforts. Phone calls, letters, and emails must stop until they respond with proper verification.
If the collector verifies the debt, your next steps depend on whether you agree. Decide if you believe the debt is valid based on the information provided.
Step 2: Decide What To Do Next
If CBE Group verified you owe the debt, decide what you’d like to do next. You have more control than you might think.
Your three main options are:
- Disputing the debt
- Negotiating or settling the debt
- Ignoring the debt (not recommended due to serious consequences)
Option 1: Dispute the Debt
If you disagree with the amount CBE Group indicated on your validation letter, dispute it. You have the right to challenge any details outlined in the letter. The validation letter should include instructions on how to do this.
Mistakes in a validation letter may also appear on your credit report. Check your credit reports and dispute anything that looks wrong.
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you’re entitled to a free credit report. You can get one from each major credit bureau every week at AnnualCreditReport.com. The three major bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
If you find errors on your credit report, file a dispute with the credit bureau. You can do this online, by mail, or by phone. You can also send a 609 letter. A 609 letter is a written request asking for more details about a specific item. While it doesn’t guarantee removal, it can help you verify accuracy.
Option 2: Negotiate the Debt and Make a Settlement Offer
If you can’t afford to pay the total debt up front, consider negotiating a settlement. Offer to pay a portion of the total balance. The rest would be forgiven.
Collectors often accept settlements ranging from 40% to 60% of the original amount. You can initiate discussions with a lower percentage, even starting at 25%. Be open to meeting around 50%. Being flexible and showing genuine interest helps you land on a workable number.
You often have more leverage than you think. Third-party collectors like CBE Group usually don’t get paid unless they successfully collect. They may be willing to settle for less to close the account.
Need help creating a payment plan that works for your budget? Our partner Cambridge Credit Counseling can help you reduce payments and lower interest rates on your debts.
Option 3: Ignore the Debt (Not Recommended)
While ignoring the debt is technically an option, it’s not recommended. Dealing with debt can feel overwhelming. When collectors keep reaching out, it’s easy to want to shut it all out.
Avoiding the situation often adds more stress and makes things worse over time. Ignoring the debt doesn’t stop collection efforts. It may lead the collector to be even more persistent.
What Happens if I Ignore CBE Group?
Unfortunately, ignoring a debt collector like CBE Group won’t make the debt disappear. It could lead to more serious problems.
Here’s what might happen if you don’t respond:
- Your credit score could take a hit
- You may owe more due to added interest, fees, or collection costs
- You could be sued for the debt
- If you ignore a lawsuit, the court may issue a default judgment against you
- Default judgments could lead to wage garnishment or other collection actions
Even though negative marks drop off your credit report after seven years, the debt doesn’t disappear. As long as the statute of limitations hasn’t passed, the collector can still try to collect.
Bottom line: The best path forward is understanding your options and taking control. Even if it feels intimidating, taking action to deal with CBE Group helps you come out stronger.
Can CBE Group Sue Me?
Yes, CBE Group can sue you. If a debt collector doesn’t hear back after multiple attempts, they may file a lawsuit.
Whether they take legal action depends on several factors:
- Your state’s wage garnishment laws
- How long the debt has been in collections
- The amount of debt you owe
If you’re sued, you’ll receive a summons and a complaint. These are official court documents notifying you about the lawsuit. They outline the details of the case. Usually, someone will deliver the paperwork to you in person. They may hand it directly to you or leave it with an adult at your home.
Responding to a lawsuit is an important step to protect yourself. If you’re worried about doing it on your own but can’t afford a lawyer, get help. Our partner Solo helps you draft an answer letter quickly and affordably. They’ve helped hundreds of thousands of people respond to debt lawsuits successfully.