How to Beat Credit Bureau Systems

Edited by Hannah Locklear

Every day, thousands of American consumers have to deal with debt collection calls. One such caller is Credit Bureau Systems, Inc.

Credit Bureau Systems (CBS) started out collecting for the healthcare industry. It eventually branched out to other sectors. But the goal is the same: to get consumers to pay on delinquent accounts.

Debt resulting from medical bills can be the most frustrating. And you may be tempted to ignore the debt collector's attempts to contact you. This article will establish who Credit Bureau Systems is, why it is unwise to ignore their calls, and how you can beat them.

First, who is Credit Bureau Systems?

Credit Bureau Systems is a nationwide debt collector with multiple offices. The headquarters are in Kentucky.

Below is Credit Bureau Systems’ contact information:

Address: 100 Fulton Court Paducah, KY 42001
Phone: 270-744-9000

Aside from debt collection, CBS offers several services, including background checks and tenant screening.

The company may contact you under the following alternative identities.

• Medical Accounts Receivable Systems
• Ambulance Medical Billing
• Accounts Billing Service

With nearly eight decades in business,CBS is here to stay. The company started locally in 1952 and was incorporated in 1976.

The Better Business Bureau lists the company as an accredited collection agency since February 2011 and gives it an A+ score.

What do consumer reviews say about Credit Bureau Systems Inc?

The Better Business Bureau and Google reviews have given consumers a safe space to air their grievances with Credit Bureau Systems.

On Google, Credit Bureau Systems has an average of 2.6 stars out of five. It is even lower on the BBB, at 2 stars.

As of November 2022, Credit Bureau Systems has received 20 complaints in the last three years on its BBB profile. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has reported 164 complaints against Credit Bureau Systems over the last ten years. It’s clear from these complaints that consumers are not pleased with CBS’s collection methods.

Below is an example of a real complaint from a real customer:

"The problem I have is that this company knowingly sent a notice to my place of employment that was seen by 5 people in my office—this is considered public shaming. It was addressed to me but had my company address. So, legally they opened the letter and had to funnel through the channels until it got to me. This is unacceptable."

This is an example of Credit Bureau Systems violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The debt collection industry is heavily regulated. If you suspect a debt collector has violated your rights, you can check the FDCPA guidelines. You may be entitled to compensation if CBS violates the following laws:

• Debt collectors cannot call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
• Debt collectors cannot use profanity, threats, or vulgar language to intimidate you into paying off a debt.
• Debt collectors cannot threaten to cause harm to your friends or family, whether it’s physically, emotionally, or financially.
• Debt collectors cannot contact you several times a day for the same debt.
• Debt collectors cannot threaten to arrest you or confiscate your documents.

Ignoring Credit Bureau Systems is risky

It is understandable if you are frustrated by debt collection calls and letters. No one wants a constant reminder of their financial struggles.

Some seemingly knowledgeable parties may advise you to ignore debt collectors. But what they do not tell you are the risks. If you ignore debt collectors, the debt does not go away. Even worse, the debt collector can sue you, which complicates matters.

Additionally, responding to debt collectors is not as challenging as it may seem. SoloSuit has made it easy for you to send a Debt Validation Letter. The letter lets Credit Bureau Systems know that you dispute the debt and want an explanation of how they reached the stated amounts.

If Credit Bureau Systems got your debt from a chain of previous debt collectors, they might have lost some of your account details. They will have to stop pursuing you if they cannot compile the supporting documents to validate the debt.

Let’s take a look at an example.

You can also tell Credit Bureau Systems that you want all communication to be in writing. Written correspondence will give you peace of mind. You get to read and respond to letters and emails at the end of a work day instead of having unpredictable calls interrupting your day without notice. It is also more convenient to record such correspondence for future reference.

Watch this video to learn more about how a Debt Validation Letter can help you beat debt collectors like Credit Bureau Systems::

Create your Debt Validation Letter in minutes.

Win a lawsuit against Credit Bureau Systems

When you first receive a Summons and Complaint, you may panic. It is perfectly normal. But do not stay in panic mode for too long. You have a short window to file your Answer.

It’s important to respond to the lawsuit before your state’s deadline; otherwise, you risk losing the case automatically by a default judgment. If the court grants a default judgment, Credit Bureau Systems will have the right to garnish your wages and seize your property.

All you have to do is respond to the lawsuit with a written Answer to increase your chances of winning altogether.

The best way to Answer a Summons is to follow these three steps:

1. Answer each claim.
2. Assert your affirmative defenses.
3. File the Answer in court and send a copy to the opposing lawyer.

Step 1: Answer each claim

The Summons document is your official notification that you’ve been sued. The Complaint document (also known as a Petition in some states) lists all the specific claims that CBS is making against you. Read each claim carefully before you respond. Then answer them individually, in corresponding order.

Choose one of the following answers to respond to each claim:

• Deny: This is like saying, “Prove it.”.
• Admit: This means you accept the allegations as true. For example, if CBS says you signed an agreement with them on a said date, under stated terms, and they are correct, you can agree. If you agree to all charges, then you are admitting guilt. The judge will have no choice but to issue a judgment.
• Deny due to lack of knowledge: You may not fully understand a particular claim. Instead of agreeing or denying blindly, this option allows you to, in effect, say, "I don't know if I'm guilty of this or not."

Step 2: Assert your affirmative defenses

Why do you believe you are innocent? Is it because the statute of limitations has passed, and Credit Bureau Systems can no longer sue you? Or is it because they cannot prove how they came to own the debt?

Here is your chance to assert those defenses. Make Credit Bureau Systems prove that you are wrong. If you ignore the lawsuit, they may win in your absence just because you didn't defend yourself.

Here are some examples of affirmative defenses you can use in a debt collection case:

• The statute of limitations for the debt in question has passed.
• The debt information, including your name, is incorrect.
• CBS has no legal standing to ask for the money because they haven't proved the creditor hired them to follow up on it.
• CBS has not cited any law or statute violated.
• CBS violated your consumer rights.

Notably, saying you do not have the money is not an affirmative defense that can stand in court.

It can be hard to know which defenses apply to your case, much less how to word them in a legal setting. With SoloSuit, you can respond to a simple series of questions about your case, and we will convert your responses into the right affirmative defenses with the proper legal wording and format.

Make the right affirmative defense the right way, with SoloSuit.

Step 3: File the Answer in court and send a copy to the opposing lawyer

A well-filled Answer will not serve any purpose if it does not reach the court within the deadline of 14-35 days (depending on where you live). Once you are done writing your defenses and have signed the document, print it out and make two copies. Mail a copy to the court or take it to the courthouse, and mail the other copy to CBS. Keep the last copy in your file for reference.

SoloSuit can file your Answer for you in all 50 states.

Check out this video to learn more about these three steps:

The Answer document should not intimidate you. Every day, consumers like you win against debt collectors with SoloSuit. You can, too. A few short answers to simple questions are what you need to generate your response.

Win your lawsuit in 15 minutes.

Now you are ready to beat Credit Bureau Systems.

Before the debt collector sues you, send a Debt Validation Letter. This letter may stop them in their tracks.

Always ask for written communication. It is a great way to keep records and stop those persistent calls.

If the company sues you, respond fast with SoloSuit's help. Or you can offer to settle the debt for less.

What is SoloSuit?

SoloSuit makes it easy to fight debt collectors.

You can use SoloSuit to respond to a debt lawsuit, to send letters to collectors, and even to settle a debt.

SoloSuit's Answer service is a step-by-step web-app that asks you all the necessary questions to complete your Answer. Upon completion, we'll have an attorney review your document and we'll file it for you.

>>Read the FastCompany article: Debt Lawsuits Are Complicated: This Website Makes Them Simpler To Navigate

>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit. (We can help you in all 50 states.)

How to answer a summons for debt collection in your state

Here's a list of guides for other states.

All 50 states.

• Alabama
• Alaska
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• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
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• Illinois
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• South Carolina
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• Texas
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Guides on how to beat every debt collector

Being sued by a different debt collector? Were making guides on how to beat each one.

• Absolute Resolutions Investments LLC
• Accredited Collection Services
• Alliance One
• Amcol Clmbia
• American Recovery Service
• Asset Acceptance LLC
• Asset Recovery Solutions
• Associated Credit Services
• Autovest LLC
• Cach LLC
• Cavalry SPV I LLC
• Cerastes LLC
• Colinfobur
• Covington Credit
• Crown Asset Management
• CTC Debt Collector
• Cypress Financial Recoveries
• Delanor Kemper & Associates
• Eagle Loan of Ohio
• Educap
• Estate Information Services
• FIA Card Services
• Forster & Garbus
• Freshview Solutions
• Fulton Friedman & Gullace LLP
• Harvest Credit Management
• Howard Lee Schiff
• Hudson & Keyse LLC
• Integras Capital Recovery LLC
• Javitch Block
• Jefferson Capital Systems LLC
• LVNV Funding
• Mannbracken
• Mariner Finance
• Medicredit
• Michael J Adams PC
• Michael J Scott
• Midland Funding LLC
• Mullooly, Jeffrey, Rooney & Flynn
• Mountain Land Collections
• MRS Associates
• National Collegiate Trust
• Nationstar Foreclosure
• Northstar Capital Acquisition
• NCEP LLC
• NRC Collection Agency
• OneMain Financial
• Palisades Collection LLC
• Pallida LLC
• Paragon Revenue Group
• Pinnacle Collections Agency
• PMAB LLC
• Portfolio Recovery Associates
• Provest Law
• PYOD LLC
• Reunion Student Loan Finance Corporation
• Revenue Group
• Regents and Associates
• RSIEH
• Salander Enterprises LLC
• Second Round Sub LLC
• Security Credit Services
• Sherman Financial Group
• Suttell and Hammer
• T-Mobile
• Transworld Systems
• Tulsa Teachers Credit Union
• UCB Collection
• Velo Law Office
• Velocity Investments
• Waypoint Resource Group
• Weinberg and Associates
• Wolpoff & Abramson

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Is your credit card company suing you? Learn how you can beat each one.

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• Credit One Bank
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