Is Credit Bureau Systems calling your cell and your workplace about a hospital or doctor bill you thought insurance already covered, or one you have never seen before? Those calls can cross into illegal harassment, and if they do, federal law puts the cost on the collector, not you. Repeated calls, calls to your job after you asked them to stop, contacting your family about your debt, refusing to validate a bill you dispute, and reporting an unverified account to the credit bureaus can all violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. When that happens, you may be owed damages.
Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLC has been stopping debt collector harassment since 2010. We are A+ rated by the BBB. Call (877) 700-5790 or visit our free case review page. You never pay us out of pocket. If Credit Bureau Systems violated the FDCPA, they pay our fees, not you.
Who Is Credit Bureau Systems?
Credit Bureau Systems, Inc. is a Kentucky-based medical debt collection agency, not the hospital or doctor you originally owed. Because it is a third-party collector, the full FDCPA applies to how it can contact you.
- Business name: Credit Bureau Systems, Inc. (also operates as CBS Calling Center and CBS CHI Division)
- Headquarters: 100 Fulton Ct, Paducah, KY 42001-9004
- Phone: (270) 744-9000, also (270) 744-8646
- Other locations: Clarksville, TN and Lexington, KY
- Website: credit-bureau.com
- Founded: 1952 (incorporated 1977)
- BBB status: BBB Accredited since 2011, A rating, 55 complaints filed
- President: Lloyd Ledet
- Industries served: Hospitals, physician practices, ambulance services, and other healthcare providers
According to the company’s own website, CBS runs seven operating divisions covering patient billing, pre-collection, ambulance medical billing, coding, and third-party debt collection. In plain terms, it touches a medical bill at almost every stage, from the first statement to the collection call.
One thing consumers often misunderstand is that a company can be BBB accredited and still be the subject of dozens of complaints. Accreditation reflects a business relationship with the BBB, not a clean consumer record. CBS carries both an A rating and 55 filed complaints at the same time.
What Kind of Debt Does Credit Bureau Systems Collect?
Credit Bureau Systems collects almost exclusively medical debt. Its clients are hospitals, physician groups, ambulance and emergency services, and other healthcare providers, and its own marketing describes it as a healthcare revenue cycle management company.
In verified BBB complaints and reviews, consumers describe being contacted about hospital bills, doctor visits, ambulance charges, and even a biometric screening. If CBS is calling you, the underlying account is almost certainly a healthcare bill referred by a provider, not a credit card or payday loan.
We frequently see medical debt land in collections for reasons that have nothing to do with a consumer refusing to pay: an insurer that never got billed, a Medicaid or Medicare claim that was skipped, a bill sent to an old address, or a charge that should have been written off under the hospital’s own financial-assistance policy. Any of those can make a “past-due” balance wrong from the start.
Because CBS also runs an early-out and pre-collection division, it sometimes contacts patients on a provider’s behalf before an account is even technically in default. That means a call from this company does not always signal a long-overdue debt. It can be an early-stage billing contact dressed in collection language, which is worth clarifying before you assume the worst about your own credit.
Why Is CBS Calling You?
Credit Bureau Systems is calling because a hospital, physician practice, or ambulance service placed your account with them to collect a balance they say is unpaid. The company generally does not buy debt outright. It collects on the provider’s behalf and earns a fee tied to what it recovers.
There are a few common reasons the calls start:
- Your insurance was never billed or was billed wrong. In one verified June 2025 review, a consumer said she was chased for a $1,000 bill despite having Medicaid at the time of service, and the representative reportedly did not check her coverage until she threatened to get a lawyer.
- A bill went to an old or wrong address. Consumers repeatedly report that a collection notice is the first thing they ever received about a charge, meaning the original statements never reached them.
- The account may not be yours, or the amount may be wrong. Several BBB complaints describe consumers who say they have no contract with CBS and were never given the original itemized bill they requested.
When clients come to us about CBS, the first question we ask is whether insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare should have covered the charge. Medical billing errors are common, and a bill that should have been paid by a third-party payer is not a debt you simply owe on demand.
There is also a timing issue specific to medical debt. Federal rules and the credit bureaus’ own 2023 policy changes have made it harder to report small and paid medical balances, yet consumers still report CBS threatening credit-report consequences during collection calls. If a representative pressures you with a credit-reporting threat on a small or already-insured bill, that threat may not match what the company can actually, lawfully do.
Credit Bureau Systems Complaints: What Consumers Report
Source: BBB complaints
Credit Bureau Systems has 55 complaints on file with the BBB, and the patterns in them are consistent rather than random. The recurring themes are disputed medical bills, refusal to provide the original itemized documentation on request, and continued credit reporting of accounts consumers say were never properly validated. Here are three specific, dated complaints in consumers’ own words.
Complaint 1: Hospital shared personal information, then the debt was reported as disputed (2025). A consumer wrote: “I am filing this complaint because a hospital shared my personal information with a third party that is now attempting to collect a medical debt.” The consumer disputed the account under the FCRA and demanded the collection stop unless the debt was lawfully validated. CBS responded that it had validated the account and coded it to report as disputed.
Complaint 2: No contract and no original application provided (2020). A consumer stated: “I am not liable for this debt… and do not have a contract with credit bureau sustems. They do not provide me with the original application like I asked.” CBS replied that it had attached an itemized statement and a signed Patient Financial Agreement in which the consumer agreed to be responsible for the bill.
Complaint 3: Repeated reporting despite a validation dispute (2025). A consumer alleged the company reported a disputed debt to the credit bureaus after failing to properly validate it, writing that it was “currently in violation of federal law.” CBS maintained it had provided sufficient validation on a specific November 2025 date and that further demands had no basis in law.
A pattern worth naming: CBS tends to respond that it “provided proper and sufficient validation,” while the consumer maintains the specific document they asked for, often the original signed agreement or an itemized statement, was never produced. In many of the cases we review, that exact gap, between a collector declaring a debt validated and actually producing proof it belongs to you, is where an FDCPA Ā§809 claim lives.
Read the complaints yourself on BBB profile and BBB complaints page.
CBS Reviews From Consumers
Source: BBB reviews page
Credit Bureau Systems holds an average of 1 out of 5 stars across its BBB customer reviews, and the reviews describe specific, dated encounters.
In a June 2025 review, a consumer named Kelsey M described being billed $1,000 for a visit she believed Medicaid covered, writing that when she raised it, the representative told her she had until August to figure it out:
“or it’s going on your credit report”
She said the representative only checked her Medicaid coverage after she mentioned getting a lawyer.
In an April 2024 review, a consumer named john M described a call about his adult son’s bill, writing that the representative:
“Told me to call my State Rep if i didn’t like the rules”
Notably, in its own public response to that review, CBS acknowledged that under the FDCPA “it is a violation of federal law to communicate with the parent of a consumer over the age of majority unless given permission.” That is the company conceding, in writing, the exact third-party contact rule at issue.
What our clients tell us lines up with these reviews: the frustration is rarely just about owing money. It is about being talked down to, being unable to reach a supervisor, and being told an unverified bill will hit their credit unless they pay immediately.
Read the reviews onĀ BBB reviews page.
Has Credit Bureau Systems Been Sued?
Yes. Credit Bureau Systems has been involved in consumer-related litigation, including a case that reached the Kentucky Supreme Court. Full federal court documents may require a PACER account.
Souce: McCullar v. CBS
Kentucky Supreme Court, decided 1992. This case arose from a proposed class action seeking to vacate judgments CBS had obtained, on the theory that its practice of taking assignment of accounts to sue on them violated Kentucky’s champerty statute, KRS 372.060. The court ultimately affirmed dismissal of that particular claim.
What this means for you: The case is decades old, but it establishes something still relevant today. CBS has a long history of taking assignment of provider accounts and pursuing them in court, which is why a written demand for proof that it actually holds and can document your specific account matters before you assume a lawsuit threat is valid.
How Does CBS Contact People?
The documented pattern from verified BBB complaints and reviews includes daily calls to a consumer’s cell phone, calls to a consumer’s workplace, calls placed from more than one number, including a number tied to a medical clinic, and a practice of not leaving voicemail messages. One consumer wrote that the company would “call from other numbers” after she blocked the first one, and that it called her job while she was at a work training.
In one BBB response, Credit Bureau Systems disputed a consumer’s claim that it called every day, stating its records showed calls spaced roughly two weeks apart. That kind of dispute is exactly why documentation matters: your own call log, with dates and times, is the evidence that settles who is right.
The detail that a call came from a number tied to a medical clinic is worth flagging on its own. When a collection call displays a provider’s name or number rather than the collector’s, a consumer can reasonably be misled about who is actually calling and why, which touches on the FDCPA’s ban on false or misleading representations. If your caller ID showed your hospital or clinic but the person on the line was collecting a debt, note that precisely.
Our attorneys evaluate calling patterns against the Regulation F standard, the CFPB rule implementing the FDCPA. It generally caps a collector at seven calls within a seven-day period about a single debt and bars another call within seven days of actually speaking with you about that debt. Calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in your time zone are presumptively improper, and repeated calls to your workplace after you have asked them to stop are a distinct violation.
What Are Your Legal Rights Against Credit Bureau Systems?
Several federal laws protect you, and because Credit Bureau Systems is a Kentucky company collecting medical debt, Kentucky’s rules matter too.
The FDCPA governs CBS as a third-party collector. It requires written validation within five days of first contact, restricts call timing and frequency, bans false or misleading statements, and prohibits discussing your debt with third parties. Original creditors collecting their own current accounts are largely exempt from the FDCPA, but a third-party collector like CBS is fully covered.
The TCPA covers autodialed and prerecorded calls to your cell phone without consent, at $500 to $1,500 per call, with the higher figure for willful violations. Consumers have reported calls from spoofed or suspicious numbers tied to this company, which can raise TCPA issues.
The FCRA governs how CBS reports a medical debt. A collection generally cannot be reported beyond seven years from the original delinquency, and when you dispute an account, the furnisher must investigate, generally within 30 days, under Ā§611 and Ā§623. As of 2023, the major credit bureaus also removed most paid medical collections and unpaid medical balances under $500 from credit reports, so a small or paid medical tradeline may not belong on your report at all.
Kentucky’s statute of limitations is unusually long for medical debt: under KRS 413.090(2), a written contract, which typically includes a signed patient financial agreement, carries a 15-year limitations period, while an oral agreement runs 5 years under KRS 413.120(1). Because the window is so long, Kentucky consumers should verify the date of first delinquency before paying, since a payment can restart that clock.
| Violation | Real Example From the CBS Record | Statute | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calls before 8am or after 9pm | Calls outside allowed hours in your time zone | FDCPA Ā§805 | Up to $1,000 statutory damages plus actual damages |
| Third-party disclosure | Calling a parent about an adult child’s bill, which CBS admitted can violate the law | FDCPA Ā§805(b) | Statutory and actual damages |
| Ignoring a cease-and-desist | Continuing to call after a written request to stop | FDCPA Ā§805(c) | Statutory and actual damages |
| False or misleading statements | Telling a consumer an unverified bill will hit their credit unless they pay now | FDCPA Ā§807 | Statutory and actual damages |
| Harassment by repeated calls | Calls to cell and workplace, from multiple numbers, with no message left | FDCPA Ā§806 | Statutory and actual damages |
| Failure to validate the debt | Reporting a disputed debt without producing the original signed agreement | FDCPA Ā§809 | Collection must pause until validated; damages available |
| Robocalls without consent | Calls from spoofed or suspicious numbers to a cell phone | TCPA, 47 U.S.C. Ā§227 | $500 to $1,500 per call |
Fee-shifting matters here. If CBS violated the FDCPA, they pay our attorney fees, not you. That is written into the statute, which is why our firm takes these cases on contingency with no upfront cost.
How Do I Stop Credit Bureau Systems From Calling Me?
Step 1: Do not confirm the debt or pay on the first call. Do not verify your Social Security number, birthdate, or bank details, and do not agree the account is yours until you have seen documentation. In several BBB complaints, the company could not match a disputed account to the consumer at all.
Step 2: Check whether insurance should have paid. Before anything else, confirm whether Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance was active on the date of service. If a payer should have covered the bill, that is often the fastest path to making the balance disappear.
Step 3: Send a written debt validation letter by certified mail. Within 30 days of first contact, demand the provider’s name, an itemized statement, and the signed patient agreement proving the debt is yours. Use our debt validation letter guide. Collection must generally pause until they respond.
Step 4: Pull your credit reports and dispute inaccurate tradelines. Check all three bureaus for how CBS is reporting the account. If it is a paid medical collection, an amount under $500, or an unverified debt, you can dispute your credit report with each bureau in writing.
Step 5: Send a cease-and-desist and get a free case review. A written cease-and-desist letter legally limits further contact. File complaints with the FTC at Report Fraud, the FCC for robocalls at Consumer Complaints, and the Kentucky Attorney General. Then contact Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLC at (877) 700-5790 or through our free case review page. If Credit Bureau Systems broke the law, they pay our fees, not you.
CONSUMER RIGHTS LAW FIRM PLLC
Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLCĀ is a law firm that specializes in helping clients who are facing harassment from debt collectors in any form, including telephone communication. Contact a legal professional to stop Credit Bureau Systems debt collection harassment. Our office has been assisting consumers since 2010. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
If you are interested in learning more about how to safeguard yourself and prevent even more Credit Bureau Systems debt collection harassment, call us at 877-700-5790Ā for immediate assistance or visit our website.
Success Stories
- I was constantly being harassed by debt collectors, and it was affecting my peace of mind. I contacted Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLC, and they immediately stepped in to stop the calls. Their team was professional, responsive, and genuinely cared about my situation. Thanks to them, the harassment stopped, and I even received a settlement. I highly recommend their services to anyone dealing with unfair debt collection practices.
- Dealing with aggressive collection calls became a daily nightmare until I found Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLC. They knew exactly how to handle the situation and guided me through my rights under the FDCPA. Their team filed a complaint on my behalf, and the collectors backed off completely. Iām so relieved and grateful for their expert help.
- Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLC provided exceptional support when I was being wrongfully contacted about a debt I didnāt owe. They listened to my concerns and wasted no time in taking legal action. Their confidence and knowledge were impressive, and they resolved the issue faster than I expected. I finally have peace again, all thanks to them.
- When I thought I had no way to fight back against the endless robocalls and rude debt collectors, Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLC gave me hope. Their attorneys were friendly, patient, and explained everything clearly. They took over communication with the collectors and got results. Iām thankful I found a legal team that actually fights for consumers like me.
FAQs
Q: Why is CBS calling me? Are they an actual credit reporting bureau like Experian or TransUnion?
A: No; CBS intentionally uses this name to sound like a major credit reporting agency to scare you, but they are actually just a third-party debt collection agency trying to recover local healthcare or utility balances.
Q: I received a bill from “Ambulance Medical Billing” or “Medical Accounts Receivable Systems.” Is this the same as CBS?
A: Yes; CBS operates heavily under these specialized alternative identities to capture highly niche emergency transport and hospital debts, so a call from these entities is structurally handled by CBS staff.
Q: An agent from CBS called from a 270 area code and threatened to immediately ruin my credit score if I didn’t pay today. Can they do that?
A: No; federal regulations strictly prohibit debt collectors from threatening immediate credit damage on medical bills under $500, and for balances over $500, they must give you a 180-day waiting period from the original delinquency date before reporting.
Q: CBS keeps calling me using automated robotic voicemails that mention “Accounts Billing Service.” Is this legal?
A: Leaving automated, pre-recorded messages using vague corporate shell names to mask their identity or calling your cell phone repeatedly without your explicit prior opt-in consent violates the TCPA and the FDCPA.
Q: CBS is pursuing me for an emergency room bill that my health insurance explicitly denied. Am I forced to pay them?
A: Not necessarily; because CBS specializes in healthcare revenue cycles, they frequently inherit unadjudicated or miscoded insurance claims, meaning you have the absolute right to halt their phone calls by demanding a formal line-item audit.
Q: How do I completely stop CBS and its various medical divisions from calling my phone?
A: Mail a physical, certified “Cease and Desist” letter directly to their Paducah, Kentucky corporate headquarters; under federal law, this legally strips them of their right to use automated phone dialers against you.
Other Phone Numbers CBS May Use
| 205-345-3030 | 205-737-3590 | 800-777-4306 |
| 800-234-6073 | 800-627-5614 | 270-744-9000 |
| 800-455-7777 | 859-252-0011 | 707-253-9990 |
| 270-744-9300 |
