Are You Being Called By CBS Collections, Inc.?*

Being debt is practically routine today, thanks to easy credit availability. But you lose your job, bills that you used to be able to manage easily become overwhelming. That’s when you can start missing payments, and once you miss a certain amount, debt collectors will be calling. Not all of them are civil or respectful either.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) was passed in 1977 to protect consumers from harassment by third-party debt collection agencies.The FDCPA prohibits collection tactics like the following, which can cause a company to be fined and even lose its license.

• Demanding outrageous amounts that exceed the amount of the original debt
• Pretending to be police officers or federal agents to frighten debtors into paying
• Calling you outside of the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. in your time zone
• Using profane or obscene language
• Failing or refusing to identify themselves as debt collectors trying to collect a debt
• Calling you at work if they know that your employer does not permit such calls

Company Profile: CBS Collections, Inc.

If you are being called by CBS Collections, Inc., information about the company is below.

CBS Collections, Inc., which also does business as CBS Financial Services, is a debt collection agency located in Spokane, Washington. It was established in 2003, has under 10 employees, and is managed by its owner, Tom Warrick. Legal records archived at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website confirms that consumers who felt they were being harassed by CBS Collections, Inc. used the court system to protect their rights.

Alleged Violations against CBS Collections, Inc.

Lonnie and Rebecca Rice vs. CBS Collections, Inc. et al*

According to PACER, on or about December 11, 2009, Campos Law PLLC executed a writ of garnishment on five bank accounts pursuant to a judgment obtained by CBS Collections, Inc. against Washington residents. Of these five accounts, one belonged to Mr. Rice’s mother, and only consisted of exempt exempt Social Security income.

One of the plaintiffs discovered the garnishments and called Campos Law PLLC on or about Monday, December 14, 2009, to stop the withdrawals but CBS Collections, Inc. continued to take money.

Feeling harassed by CBS Collections, Inc., the Rices hired a consumer attorney and sued the company for allegedly violating the FDCPA in the following ways:

• Using false, deceptive and misleading means to collect a debt
• Using unfair and unconscionable means to collect a debt

The matter was later settled.

Hire an FDCPA Attorney

The phone numbers for this debt collection agency are:

• 1-509-324-1220
• 1-800-572-3218

If you see either of them on your caller ID, it means that you are being called by CBS Collections, Inc.. If they try to seize funds that are legally exempt from seizure, contact a consumer attorney who can assist you in filing a claim against CBS Collections, Inc.. You could receive $1,000 per FDCPA violation as compensation for a willful infringement on your rights, so don’t be too intimidated to fight for your rights.

Additional Resources

• Has a Debt Collector Misrepresented Himself?
• Rights a Third-Party Debt Collector Cannot Violate

*Case taken from PACER (pacer.gov). File number is Case 2:10-cv-00081-EFS from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington.

Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be constructed as legal advice. If you file a claim against CBS Collections, Inc., or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.