Rascal12 Asked August 2021

Debt collection involving CBE Group. Has anyone else run into this?

We just received a call for my aunt from CBE Group. She is in a nursing home, and I am her DPOA. I have no idea why they would be calling since she has no debt. She sold her condo which had no mortgage remaining, and her car was sold and the loan paid off. I closed her credit card, and the small credit balance was paid back to her in a check. That is all she has, aside a from her current expenses at the nursing home which are paid upon receipt. I have received no notices from any entity claiming she owes a debt. Has anyone else run into this?

23 Answers

Most
Helpful Newest
First Oldest
First

CBE group is a legal entity who collect on behalf of IRS, utilities etc. However they have a reputation in some quarters for harassment over debts, and pushing people to pay because their letters look official. Phone them up and tell them Aunt is no longer with you, and please to put all details in writing and you will take it to the nursing home. Don't give them Aunt's address as then she will get letters from them and get stressed out. It could be a very small debt from many years ago - a change of utility supplier or something that left a small balance and is long forgotten. They make their money by chasing these small amounts and hoping people will just pay them to go away, but insist on having all details in writing or by email and see what turns up.

Helpful Answer (16)

To those who recommend answering the incoming calls, or calling them, I can't emphasize enough the potential dangers in doing this, which is why I recommend that contact be ONLY in writing.

What is said may or may not be recorded and used as you've said it. I.e., I've read that some debt collectors record and "alter" the conversation, to alter/modify it so that the individual called appears to have admitted to owing the debt.

I'm not sophisticated enough to know how to record and alter calls, but the articles I've read indicate this can and has been done.

And even if you take notes, which I do, it's hard to take the whole conversation, even in shorthand.

This is the time to document, document, and document, and all in writing.

Helpful Answer (15)

Thanks for confirming what I said.

(6)

Ignore. Do not answer. Do not answer. Do not answer. Do not answer.

Helpful Answer (11)

Phone call is usually a scam. Scams are EVERYWHERE.

Helpful Answer (9)

If you are going to answer the call and I understand the desire to make sure things are cleared up, be very careful with your words. I would be very brief; Them: “is this …” You “no” T “ May I speak with…” “no, she is no longer at this number” T “where can we reach her…important business matter…” “she is in a nursing home send the details in writing to the address you have for her”. If they are legit with a legit debt they are likely used to people mistrusting them so being short and not unfriendly but not friendly either shouldn’t offend them. It is hard in conversation to stop yourself from offering the words that trigger more harassment from scammers so don’t use normal conversational exchange, for me this includes asking questions. If I’m going to ask the questions I want to be the one to call them and that requires knowing who “they” are and their legitimacy, it’s a shame we have to be so suspicious of everything these days.

Helpful Answer (9)

Calls about collecting unpaid debt are often a scam. I had so many I stopped answering calls from unknown numbers.

Internet search on "CBE Group telephone phishing scam" turns up several hits.

If you decide to respond, I think you should look up the published phone number for CBE Group yourself, instead of returning calls to an unverified number in caller ID or left on a voice mail. Tell them you want the information in writing, by US Mail.

Helpful Answer (8)

You said "we received a call", but you haven't explained whether you answered and actually talked to someone, or you didn't - - so which is it ???

Hopefully, you monitor your calls. Don't pick up and don't talk to them. If they are legitimate, THEY actually shouldn't even talk to YOU unless you prove your POA, and that's already giving them MORE information than they should have.

There CAN be OLD debts that have fallen through the cracks. But for most debts, there is a 3-year statute of limitations. But sadly, the SoL is only what's called an "affirmative defense", which means it can only used if you end up in court.

The worst thing is if they can catch you inadvertently "confirming the debt", that cancels the SoL time period, and starts the clock ticking from zero-point again.

If they are completely legitimate, you will receive something in the mail and you would then be asking a different set of questions at that point. In the meantime, ignore them and their calls !!!

Helpful Answer (6)

Are you saying you didn't actually answer the call to find out what it was about? Wait for them to call back and then answer and ask them what their collection is about, and make sure you get specifics from them, not just that they purchased the debt from the original creditor. It may be a legitimate collection request. Don't give out any sensitive info to them, let them come up with all the necessary info for you, which they should have. Then request a hardcopy sent in the mail.

Helpful Answer (5)

assume 99.9% of all calls are scams. If you happen to answer and they ask for money or info, tell them to mail all requests and info to the last known address they had on file for her. More often than not, they are going to ask you to tell them her last known address/phone number, etc. Scam. They make a call to your phone number just by robo dialing. One number after another until they hit pay dirt.

Never offer any info at all. If they know your phone number and ever had an acct with her, they know where to mail a letter. Hang up.

Helpful Answer (4)