Consumer complaint received 2018-03-15
Company: Credit Bureau Collection Services, Inc.
State: TN
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Medical debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not yours

Complaint:
What is the complaint about? 
CBCS attempts to collect on debts, handles disputes improperly. Attempted to collect on debt that doesnt belong to me, wouldnt give me a correct phone number so that I could verify the debt. When I finally found another billing company that had been associated with XXXX XXXX Hospital Physicians, they stated my name is not on that account. Why could I not get in touch with XXXX directly? According to the Tennessee State Department of Commerce and Insurance, CBCS is not licensed to collect in the state. 

This is my statement regarding my interactions with CBCS. I have also recorded phone calls. Thank you for your time. 
After I received a letter from CBCS regarding an account with XXXX XXXX HSP Physicians, I called and spoke to XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX and I disputed the charges. During the conversation XXXX confirmed that the Department of Veterans Affairs was the insurer on file. When I asked why they did not directly bill the VA, I did not know, and that maybe the balance is my portion of the bill. I explained that the assumption was incorrect and that I would like proof of the debt ( see letter dated XX/XX/XXXX ). 
After I received the response regarding my dispute of the debt from CBCS, I called XXXX billing. I spoke to XXXX who confirmed that the Department of Veterans Affairs was on file as my insurer, and the hospital bill had been paid within a month  of the claim. XXXX referred me to the physicians billing group ; XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
I called the XXXX XXXX and listened to their list of Debt Collection agencies, CBCS is not one of them. On XX/XX/XXXX, I called CBCS again and spoke to XXXX. I asked her for a direct number to XXXX XXXX Hsp Physc and she stated the number is not on file ; the only information they have on the debtor is what is listed on my statement ( name and associated account number ). I then inquired as to how CBCS receives my information to start collection process against me, she stated they dont buy the debt and that basically only an account number, address, name, date of birth with a debtor is needed to start the collection process. 
On XX/XX/XXXX, I called CBCS again to try to obtain information about the debtor, such as address and phone number, so that I could verify the debt. XXXX told me that they do not provide that information. XXXX stated that he doesnt have access to information about XXXX XXXX Hsp Phsyc. I told him that since they are the clients of CBCS, they must have company information for billing purposes ; XXXX then referred me to the office in New Hampshire. 
I spoke with XXXX in the New Hampshire branch of CBCS and she gave me a phone number and address for my debtor that is seemingly incorrect ( I called the number and its a cell phone, no outgoing message ). After calling the New Hampshire branch of CBCS back, I spoke to XXXX ; who then said the clients name ( my debtor ), was shown as XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX at XXXX. XXXX gave me a different phone number with the same post office box address as XXXX from the first time I called their office. 
XX/XX/XXXX, I sent a certified letter to CBCS, disputing all the debt associated with account XXXX ; and asking them to verify the identity, name and address of the company claiming I owed money. 
After doing some research on the internet, I found a number for XXXX XXXX Hospital Physicians and spoke with XXXX from XXXX, ( XXXX ) on XX/XX/XXXX. Using the account number on the invoice sent to me from CBCS, XXXX was unable to match my name with the account. XXXX then proceeded to tell me that I had another account holding a XXXX  balance and a service date of XX/XX/XXXX, from XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( acct # XXXX ). I then confirmed my name, date of birth that she had on file. XXXX stated the middle initial on the account is XXXX ; I told her that XXXX is not my middle initial, and I obtained the business address of XXXX as XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, MI XXXX. Be advised, I was not in a NY hospital XX/XX/XXXX. 
XX/XX/XXXX, I called CBCS and spoke with XXXX. I advised her of the fraud situation her company is participating in and that I was informed by the Tennessee State Department of Commerce and Insurance, CBCS is not licensed to collect in the state of TN. 
XX/XX/XXXX, I spoke to XXXX and he agreed to send me an itemized statement from XXXX XXXX Hospital Physicians. The beginning of XX/XX/XXXX, I received the letter stating they have and will stop all collections on this account. I began asking for verification of this debt from CBCS starting XX/XX/XXXX. Why does it take so many phone calls, so much time to get these companies to do the right thing?

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief