The CBE Group is one of a few agencies the IRS authorizes to collect federal tax debt. That government tie can make their calls feel more urgent than a typical collector. Knowing what their record actually shows helps you respond with confidence instead of pressure.
Key Takeaways
- The CBE Group, Inc. has operated from Cedar Falls, Iowa since 1933, also known as CBE Companies.
- CBE is one of a small number of agencies the IRS authorizes to collect certain federal tax debt.
- At least seven federal lawsuits from 2017 to 2024 allege unlawful fees, misleading balances, and collection on settled accounts.
- The FDCPA, FCRA, and TCPA all apply to how CBE calls, texts, and reports on your account.
- Violations can carry damages up to $1,000 under the FDCPA and $500 to $1,500 per text under the TCPA.
- The Wood Firm PLLC reviews CBE Group cases at no upfront cost.
Free Case Review: +1-844-638-1122
Who Is The CBE Group
The CBE Group, Inc. is a third-party debt collection agency based in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It has operated since 1933 and also runs offices in Waterloo, Iowa.
- Also Known As: CBE Companies, CBE Companies Inc., The CBE Group Inc., The CBE Group Inc.-Formerly VAC
- Phone: (855) 459-1134 | 855-459-1134 | 8554591134
- Founded: 1933
- Distinction: Authorized under the IRS Private Debt Collection program to collect certain federal tax debts
In our practice, we ask every CBE client to pull the exact letter or text that started contact. The specific wording often points to a documented pattern. That first document tends to matter more with CBE than with a typical collector.
CBE Group Phone Numbers to Save
Save every number the moment it appears on your caller ID. Consumers have reported additional 855 and 800 prefixes beyond the main line.
- (855) 459-1134 / 855-459-1134 / 8554591134
Why Is The CBE Group Calling You
The CBE Group is calling you because a creditor placed your account with them for collection. Their documented clients include the IRS, Verizon Wireless, Charter Communications, eBay, and medical providers.
If you have an outstanding IRS balance, the IRS should send written notice before CBE ever calls. A legitimate CBE call about tax debt will never demand payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.
Does The CBE Group Call Without Leaving a Voicemail
Yes. This is one of the most common questions people search about CBE Group. The pattern is not accidental.
Under the FDCPA, a voicemail revealing a debt collection call to others can count as illegal disclosure. Many collectors, including CBE, avoid that risk by simply not leaving a message.
Answer one call and ask the caller to identify themselves and confirm the debt in writing. You can also call a known CBE number back and request written verification before saying anything further.
Does The CBE Group Send Text Messages
Yes. CBE Group uses text messages as a standard contact method. Consumer reports describe texts referencing account numbers and linking to a payment portal or callback number.
Verify any number against CBE’s known lines before responding. Do not click a payment link without confirming the account through CBE’s official website first.
Under the TCPA, automated texts sent without your prior consent may be a separate violation. Each unauthorized text can be worth $500 to $1,500 in damages.
Who Does The CBE Group Collect For
The CBE Group collects for creditors across several sectors. Documented clients and account types include the following.
- IRS: An authorized private collector for certain federal tax debts
- Verizon Wireless: Named specifically in the Silberstein, Madar, and Pinyuk lawsuits
- Charter Communications/Spectrum: Referenced in consumer complaints
- eBay: Marketplace-related account collection reported by consumers
- Medical providers: Including the account at issue in the Lindenbach case
If CBE calls about a tax debt, the IRS should have already sent a CP40 notice naming CBE. Request that notice if you never received it.
Has The CBE Group Been Sued for Debt Collection Violations
Yes. CBE Group has faced at least seven documented federal lawsuits between 2017 and 2024.
- Silberstein v. The CBE Group, Inc. (2024): Alleged CBE tried to collect on a Verizon account that had already been settled.
- Madar v. The CBE Group, Inc. (2017): A class action alleging an unlawful collection fee added to a Verizon balance.
- Pinyuk v. The CBE Group, Inc. (2017): Alleged a fraudulent collection fee and a misrepresented total balance.
- Carall v. The CBE Group, Inc. (2017): Alleged added fees distorted the true amount owed.
- Dwyer v. The CBE Group, Inc. (2017): Alleged CBE failed to disclose whether a stated balance was accruing interest.
- Vytlacil et al v. The CBE Group, Inc. (2017): Alleged letters threatened credit reporting inside the validation window.
- Lindenbach et al v. The CBE Group, Inc. (2017): Alleged deceptive letters concerning medical debt.
In our practice, we compare any CBE letter against these seven cases before advising a client. Unrecognized fees or a balance that does not match your own records both mirror this documented litigation directly.
Can The CBE Group Garnish My Wages
Yes, but only under specific conditions. CBE cannot garnish your wages simply because you owe a debt. Garnishment normally requires a court judgment first.
Federal tax debt is the one notable exception. If CBE is collecting an IRS-referred balance, the government has additional enforcement tools beyond a civil lawsuit.
For every other debt type, a garnishment threat without a prior judgment may itself violate the FDCPA. Document the exact wording if CBE mentions garnishment on a standard account.
Does The CBE Group Report to Credit Bureaus
Yes. CBE Group reports collection accounts to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. An entry can remain on your report for seven years from the original delinquency date.
Given the Dwyer case allegations, check whether the reported balance matches what CBE claimed you owed. You have a potential FCRA claim if the entry is inaccurate.
Request your reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute any inaccurate CBE entry directly with the bureaus.
Is The CBE Group a Scam
No. The CBE Group is a real, registered collection agency operating since 1933. Real and registered does not mean every tactic they use is legal.
Seven federal lawsuits, including several class actions, document a pattern of misleading fees and deceptive letters. Verify any debt independently before paying anything.
Is The CBE Group Banned by the FTC
No. The CBE Group has not been banned by the FTC. That does not erase its documented federal lawsuit history.
Consumers who believe their rights were violated can file a CFPB or state Attorney General complaint. A private FDCPA claim is another option.
In our practice, a lack of FTC action is one data point. It is never proof that a collector’s conduct was lawful.
How to Stop The CBE Group From Calling You
- Document Every Contact: Note the date, time, number, and exact wording, especially any mention of fees or legal action.
- Request Debt Validation in Writing: Ask CBE to confirm the original creditor, the exact amount, and whether any fees are included.
- Send a Cease-and-Desist Letter: Use certified mail with return receipt if calls continue after your first request.
- Confirm IRS Notices First: If CBE calls about tax debt, verify the IRS already sent a CP40 notice before engaging further.
Given the Vytlacil case allegations about early credit reporting threats, timing matters if CBE mentions your credit report. Save every letter and voicemail as you go.
In our practice, we log the date of every CBE letter next to any credit reporting threat. That timeline often shows whether a validation window was cut short.
How The Wood Firm PLLC Stops The CBE Group
CBE’s seven-lawsuit record runs from 2017 to 2024, giving us specific patterns to check from the start. Unlawful fees, misleading balance disclosures, and collection on settled accounts are the recurring themes. Any letter or text CBE sent you is worth examining against them.
The Wood Firm PLLC works on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win. CBE pays our fees if we do. Call +1-844-638-1122 to review your file.
Ready to find out what your CBE file shows? Visit our contact page or call +1-844-638-1122 for a free case review. The Wood Firm PLLC works on contingency, so CBE pays our fees if federal law was violated.
Common Questions About The CBE Group
Why does The CBE Group call but leave no voicemail
Leaving a voicemail that reveals a debt collection call risks an FDCPA third-party disclosure violation. Many collectors, including CBE, call repeatedly instead of leaving a message.
Does The CBE Group send text messages
Yes, text messages directing you to a payment portal or callback number are a standard CBE contact method. Unauthorized automated texts may each be worth $500 to $1,500 under the TCPA.
Is The CBE Group legitimate or a scam
The CBE Group is a real, registered collection agency founded in 1933. Seven federal lawsuits still document a pattern of misleading fees and deceptive letters.
Does The CBE Group collect for the IRS
Yes, CBE is an IRS-authorized private collection agency for certain federal tax debts. The IRS should send a CP40 notice before CBE ever calls about that debt.
Who is The CBE Group Inc-Formerly VAC
VAC stood for Vance & Associates Collection, a previous name CBE operated under. That name on an old letter or credit report refers to the same company.
Can The CBE Group garnish my wages
Only after obtaining a court judgment, except for IRS-referred federal tax debt. A garnishment threat on a standard account without a judgment may violate the FDCPA.
Does The CBE Group report to credit bureaus
Yes, to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Dispute any inaccurate entry under the FCRA if the balance does not match what you were told.
Get Ahead of Your Next CBE Group Contact
Save every number, document every call or text, and request written validation before you say anything further. That record becomes the foundation of any claim. Call The Wood Firm PLLC at +1-844-638-1122 for a free review.
Jeff Wood represents consumers exclusively, never creditors or collectors. He holds federal court admissions across 9 districts, including all courts of AR, CO, NM, and TX. He practices from Little Rock, AR.
- Resource: Our FDCPA practice overview
- Also read: Cavalry Portfolio Services Debt Collection Harassment
