Criminal Defense Lawyers

CBE Group Inc. Collection Agency Debt Help

What is CBE Group?

CBE Group, is a legitimate debt collection agency that has been around since 1933. They collect all kinds of consumer debts like unpaid credit cards, medical bills, student loans, utility bills, you name it. 1 If CBE Group contacts you, it means a company you previously did business with has hired them to collect an unpaid debt from you.But, take a deep breath. Getting calls from debt collectors can be stressful, but you have rights. We’ll walk through exactly what to do if CBE Group is after you, step-by-step.

Why is CBE Group Contacting Me?

There’s one reason CBE Group is blowing up your phone – they think you owe money to someone. Maybe it’s an old cable bill you forgot about, or a medical expense your insurance didn’t fully cover. Whatever the debt is, the original creditor has given up trying to collect from you directly. So they sold your debt to CBE Group, who now owns it and wants their money. 1The first thing to understand is that by law, CBE Group has to prove the debt is really yours before they can continue collection efforts. They’ll send a “debt validation” letter laying out details like:

• How much you allegedly owe
• Who the original creditor was
• How to dispute the debt if it’s not yours

This is your chance to fight back if CBE Group has bad info. You only have 30 days from receiving that letter to dispute the debt and force them to verify it. During that 30 day period, they legally can’t keep contacting you about it. 1So let’s look at your main options for dealing with CBE Group:

Option 1: Dispute the Debt

If the debt amount seems way off, or you simply don’t recognize the debt at all, you’ll want to dispute it immediately. Send CBE Group a debt validation letter contesting the debt and requesting full evidence that:

• The debt is really yours
• The amount owed is correct
• CBE Group has the legal right to collect it

You must dispute within 30 days of receiving CBE Group’s debt validation notice. If they can’t validate everything to your satisfaction, they have to stop collection efforts and remove it from your credit report. 3Even if the debt is yours, disputing gives you a 30 day break from their calls and letters while they try to validate. This buys you time to understand your rights and options.

Option 2: Negotiate a Settlement

If the debt is legitimate, your next best move is trying to settle it for less than the full amount through negotiations with CBE Group. Collection agencies often accept settlement offers as low as 25-50% of what’s owed, just to get something rather than nothing. 3For example, if CBE Group is trying to collect $5,000 from you, you could offer to settle the debt for $2,500 or even less. Get any settlement amount in writing before paying a cent.The keys to negotiating are:

• Only deal with them in writing, not over the phone
• Start with a lowball offer, like 25% of what’s owed
• Leverage your good payment history if you have one
• Agree to pay the settled amount in a reasonable lump sum
• Get CBE Group to agree in writing to remove the debt from your credit report once settled

Settling shows up as “Paid” on your credit report, which looks better than an unpaid collection account. But the settled amount could still be reported, so your credit may not fully recover until it falls off your report in 6-7 years.

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.

Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

Loveth Okpedo

2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

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2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

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Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 736 reviews

Option 3: Set Up a Payment Plan

If you can’t afford to settle the debt, but agree you owe it, ask CBE Group about setting up a payment plan you can manage. Consistent payments will prevent further collection action and start repairing your credit over time.Get all payment plan details in writing, including:

• Total amount you’ll pay
• Number of payments
• Amount of each payment
• Due dates for payments
• What happens if you miss a payment

Having documentation protects you if there are any miscommunications or CBE Group violates terms of your agreement.

Option 4: Let it Go (Not Recommended)

We don’t advise this, but you could choose to simply ignore CBE Group and not pay anything. They’ll likely escalate by reporting the debt to credit bureaus, filing a lawsuit, or trying to garnish your wages if they win a judgment against you. 2Ignoring debt has serious consequences like further damaging your credit for 6-7 years and potentially being taken to court. Only consider this as an absolute last resort if you truly have no ability to pay.

Understand Your Rights

No matter which option you choose, it’s critical to understand your rights when dealing with any debt collector under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA):

• They can’t call you before 8am or after 9pm
• They can’t use abusive, threatening or profane language
• They must identify themselves as debt collectors on all calls
• They can’t discuss your debt with others without permission
• They must stop all contact if you send a written cease request

If CBE Group violates any of these rules, report them to the FTC and your state’s attorney general. Violations make them liable for damages and give you more leverage to get the debt removed entirely.

Remove CBE Group from Your Credit Report

Even if you pay or settle the debt, CBE Group may not automatically remove the negative collection account from your credit reports. You’ll likely need to take additional steps:

1. Get removal in writing as part of any settlement agreement
2. Send CBE Group a written request to remove the account after settling
3. Dispute the account directly with the credit bureaus as inaccurate if it’s not removed within 30 days

Paid or settled collection accounts can still impact your credit score for years. But an incorrect, unverified or duplicated collection listing should be removed from your reports entirely.

Work With a Credit Professional

If you’re feeling overwhelmed dealing with CBE Group on your own, consider working with a reputable credit repair firm. For a fee, they’ll handle all disputes, negotiations and follow-ups to get collection accounts removed from your credit reports.Legitimate credit repair companies employ law firms and paralegals to navigate credit laws and make sure your rights are protected. While you can do it yourself for free, they make the process much easier.

Talk to a Lawyer

For serious debt issues like pending lawsuits or wage garnishment threats, it’s wise to consult with a consumer protection lawyer. An experienced attorney can defend you in court, get judgments vacated, and ensure debt collectors like CBE Group are following state laws.Many lawyers offer free initial consultations and take cases on contingency, so you can get advice with no upfront costs. Having proper legal representation levels the playing field against aggressive debt collectors.

The Bottom Line on CBE Group

CBE Group is a legitimate collection agency, but that doesn’t mean you have to simply pay whatever they demand. By understanding your rights and all your options, you can resolve collection accounts properly.The worst thing to do is ignore them completely and risk further financial and legal consequences. Take a deep breath, get organized, and assert yourself using the strategies we covered. With the right approach, you can put CBE Group’s debt behind you for good.

About Spodek Law Group

We are Spodek Law Group, a nationwide law firm with over 50 years of combined experience handling tough legal situations. Our criminal defense attorneys work tirelessly to deliver the best possible outcomes for our clients. 4When you’re facing a legal issue, you need a team that will be available 24/7 to guide you every step of the way. We treat each client like family, providing elite legal services and an unwavering commitment to your case. 4Our selective approach ensures we only take on cases where we can truly make an impact. We leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of favorable resolutions. Schedule a consultation today to discuss your situation with our team.It’s simple. Every single client deserves honesty and white glove service. 4 We encourage open dialogue and full transparency so we can provide the best advice tailored to your unique circumstances.Regardless of how tough your situation is, we are here to help you. Our criminal defense lawyers work hard to find a solution, irrespective of the challenges you face. 4 Don’t be embarrassed – we’ve seen it all. What matters is taking decisive action to protect your future.If you’re under investigation or already charged with a crime, your freedom could be at risk. Federal agencies have vast resources to build cases against suspects. But we have the expertise to level the playing field and safeguard your rights