California Business Bureau, Inc

2018-10-05

Anaheim, CA

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action

Debt collection: Medical debt

Collected or attempted to collect exempt funds
Complaint: Dear Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, My name is XXXX XXXX, and I am writing in regards to a bill that I received from the California Business Bureau , Inc., a collections agency, on behalf of XXXX XXXX XXXX. My account number has been designated as XXXX. The letter has notified me that I am being charged a total of {$120.00}, and that I will be receiving a negative credit report by the CBB. I would like very much to contest this charge, on the grounds that the services that I had received from XXXX XXXX XXXX were unsatisfactory. I called the CBB twice on XX/XX/XXXX, the day that I received the letter. On the first call, I spoke with someone who told me that by stating to her over the phone that I had met and spoke with a doctor at XXXX XXXX XXXX during my appointment, that I had just admitted to her on a recorded line that I indeed received services from XXXX XXXX XXXX, and that regardless of whether those services were satisfactory or not, I am still going to be charged for them and receive a negative credit report if I dont pay the bill. She was very aggressive over the phone, and insisted that the bill was fair, despite my objection that the services were completely useless and insufficient. She told me that I could not dispute them with the CBB, and that I had to go elsewhere to dispute the bill. I called again an hour or so later, and spoke with someone else, who told me that I could dispute the bill with the CBB. This bill is for an appointment that I had at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, on XX/XX/XXXX. In XXXX of that year, I started to notice that my XXXX XXXX was XXXX XXXX again, as it first began to do in XXXX. The first XXXX XXXX and XXXX physician that I had seen last year, regarding this issue, was Dr. XXXX XXXX in XXXX XXXX, CA on XX/XX/XXXX. Dr. XXXX examined me, and attempted to XXXX my XXXX XXXX XXXX, in order to allow more XXXX to pass through, so that whatever obstruction was present would come out. He XXXX the area underneath my XXXX, known as the XXXX, with a XXXX XXXX, and poked into the area with a sharp metal tool. The pain was severe, and his procedure did not solve the problem whatsoever. My XXXX XXXX was still XXXX up to the same extent as before. Also, on that day, Dr. XXXX sent me over to the nearby XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX for a XXXX XXXX that he said would be useful in determining whether I had an unusually high amount of XXXX in my XXXX, which may have been restricting the flow of XXXX in my XXXX XXXX. I took the XXXX XXXX, and four days later, I brought the results to my general XXXX Dr. XXXX XXXX in XXXX XXXX, CA, on XX/XX/XXXX. Dr. XXXX told me that XXXX XXXX in general are not good indicators for the causes of XXXX XXXX obstructions, and that my tests showed normal XXXX levels anyway, so basically, the XXXX XXXX was unnecessary. Dr. XXXX did however recommend that I go to the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, because he said that they had a specific machine that could remove XXXX XXXX XXXX, and that they were the only people he knew of who had this machine. An important context to consider is that in XXXX, I had a similar issue of a XXXX XXXX XXXX that was impacted by a XXXX XXXX. I visited a XXXX XXXX named Dr. XXXX XXXX in XXXX, CA during XX/XX/XXXX. She referred me to the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX to have them perform an XXXX test on my XXXX. I went there on XX/XX/XXXX, and the results of the XXXX test showed that No definite XXXX or XXXX could be seen. I went again to Dr. XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX, so that she could XXXX my XXXX ; but, unfortunately, she left a large amount of XXXX ( XXXX ), which irritated me, and resulted in an XXXX XXXX. After which, I decided to make an appointment with Dr. XXXX, because he was an XXXX XXXX and XXXX specialist. I had my first ever visit with Dr. XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX, where I showed him my XXXX test results. He XXXX my XXXX a little more, diagnosed me with an XXXX XXXX, prescribed XXXX XXXX, examined my XXXX, and told me that there was no evidence of a XXXX in my XXXX XXXX. However, I could feel and even see the XXXX myself. Whenever my mouth would XXXX, the XXXX would rise up my XXXX XXXX, into the visible part of the XXXX, and this would happen throughout the day. I was scheduled for a follow up visit for a full extraction of the remaining XXXX. A few days before the follow up appointment, I actually managed to remove the XXXX myself. During the nighttime, the XXXX had risen up my XXXX XXXX, after I had eaten something sour, and I was able grab onto it with my thumb and index finger ; however, it was very slippery and excruciatingly painful to hold onto. The XXXX would fall back down due to a lack of grip, so instead, I pulled on the area with my fingers again, as far as I could this time, and bit down hard on it with my front teeth. This hurt a lot, but not as much as the next step that I took to free myself of this ailment, which involved removing the XXXX, by XXXX at the area of the XXXX that it had been obstructing. I grabbed one of my parents XXXX test strip needles, and with the XXXX still between my front teeth, I began XXXX against it with the needle. After a few tries, the flesh began to bleed and open up, and the XXXX came out of my XXXX, slid out of my mouth, and onto the mirror that I was using. I went and showed my mother the XXXX, and she was so relieved that she started kissing me all over my cheeks, and with her eyes full of tears, she told me how happy she was that it wasnt anything serious. I placed the XXXX inside of a plastic bag to show it to Dr. XXXX during my follow up visit on XX/XX/XXXX. He was amazed to see that I had removed it myself, and told me that from now on, I would need to remain hydrated throughout the day, massage my XXXX with a warm compress from time to time, and consume regular amounts of lime or lemon juice, so that my mouth would produce a healthy amount of XXXX. Otherwise, he said that another XXXX might appear again in the future, and I may even need to have my XXXX XXXX removed altogether. Six years later, when the XXXX returned, and I went to Dr. XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX, he sent my records to the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, because they were supposedly the only people he knew of who had a special machine that could remove XXXX XXXX XXXX, with minimal to no damage done to the patient. Several weeks after my appointment with Dr. XXXX, I received a call from XXXX, and I was told that the earliest appointment they had was nearly two months from the day they called me. I scheduled the appointment for XX/XX/XXXX at XXXX XXXX. They did not, and could not send me an email, text message, nor voicemail to confirm the date and time. When the appointment came, my mother and I arrived around XXXX XXXX., and we were told after waiting an hour that my appointment was actually for XXXX XXXX., and not XXXX XXXX. My mom was very upset by this, as we now had to wait several hours before I could be seen. After I had complained to the receptionist, one of the staff members came up to me, and told me that I was mistaken, and that I in fact did agree to the appointment being on XXXX XXXX. When I was finally seen, the doctor they had available gave me no new information whatsoever. He told me that I had no XXXX in my XXXX XXXX, that I should continue consuming lemon juices, and remain hydrated. He said that the machine which Dr. XXXX was referring to did not exist anywhere in their office, and that he doesnt even know anyone whos ever used it. He also told me that even if they did have the machine, I wouldnt need them to operate on me with it anyway, because there was no XXXX in my XXXX XXXX. As far as Im concerned, this appointment was a major waste of time, and it was a terrible day, as my mother was very upset with me for us having to wait so long just to hear the same thing that the other doctor told me already. After a month or so, XXXX XXXX XXXX began sending me bills in the mail. I called the billing department after I received my first bill, and spoke with a representative about how I did not want to pay the bill, because the appointment that I had was a complete waste of my time. The representative told me to explain to her everything that happened, and that she would be able to file a grievance on my behalf. I did this, and called her back shortly afterwards. She then told me that it turned out that she was actually unable to file a grievance for me, and that I would have to sign a consent release to give access of my personal health records to XXXX XXXX XXXX. She directed me to a page on their website, which turned out to be the wrong page. She had me fill out the wrong form, and when I called again to ask her if she could send me a direct link for the correct form to my email, she told me that she was not allowed to email patients. I called again a few days later, and at that point, she had left for a several month long vacation. I tried talking to other people at the Medical Center, but they all told me that there was nothing I could do, because she was the only person who was handling the billing department. At that point, I gave up, because if their Medical Center was not going to help facilitate a way for me to dispute this bill, then I had no reason to take it seriously. They continued to send me bills throughout the past year and a half, and as far as Im concerned, they are extremely persistent, in getting their money back. I still have no idea what form she made me sign. What was it? Ive never once had to sign a consent release to file a grievance for a medical bill anyway. XXXX XXXX XXXX did not handle this situation in a professional manner, they gave me the runaround, and they still feel entitled to get money for doing nothing. Im not even sure which doctor I saw, because his name isnt written on any of the bills theyve sent me.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-09-26

Fresno, CA

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical debt

Debt is not yours
Complaint: i have lived alone at my address for 11 years as owner. over the last year receiving from XXXX XXXX XXXX-XXXX ca a bill for some unknown person. that info is XXXX XXXX XXXX for XXXX ( including interest ) the account is XXXX. I have returned mailings, called them and got hung up on and i have ignored the mailings. Now it has gone to collections ( california business bureau , inc ), i called and got scolded for opening someone else 's mail. She said she would notate the name difference. don't trust that that will end the situation. thank you.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-09-20

Thousand Oaks, CA

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: I do not know

Debt is not yours
Complaint: This shows up on my credit report as a bad debt. I have known knowledge of it. Account name California business XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XX/XX/2014 {$850.00}, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, ca. XXXX
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-09-16

Santa Ana, CA

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical debt

Debt is not yours
Complaint: I have been receiving this bill of {$1600.00} for years now. I was a MINOR at the time these services were provided, they were not only PAID by my parents insurance but the merchandise was RETURNED to the medical facility because they were DEFECTIVE. The debt is incorrect and not mine. I am XXXX years old now and I should NOT have to be responsible for paying for a hearing aide that I RETURNED and that NEVER WORKED in the first place. We were not supposed to be billed once we returned the product. This is a FALSE charge. I have made several attempts to remove this from my credit/record and have gotten nowhere.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-08-30

Anaheim, CA

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Medical debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Complaint: On or about XX/XX/XXXX, I took myself to the emergency room of XXXX XXXX XXXX ( hospital ) as I had a XXXX XXXX that was getting worse by the moment. I was admitted to an emergency room, and it was determined that I would be treated and kept for the evening. I was released the next day, and went about my business. I never received a bill ( which seems common since I have Medical ) from the hospital. Approximately on XX/XX/XXXX this year, I found a derogatory credit item on my XXXX credit report from a collection agency that uses the name of California Business Bureau, with an address of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, CA XXXX I placed a phone call there on XXXX, with the intent to find out why my emergency visit to the hospital was turned over to a collection agency. The woman I spoke with indicated that my insurance did not cover the hospital visit, as I had " XXXX XXXX and the deductible had not be met '' I informed her that I had no other coverage/insurance other than Medical, and that this had never been an issue before. She stipulated at this point, that I needed to get a form ( MC 180 ) from Medical showing my coverage, and that they would then bill them ( Medical ) I reached- out to Medical and they indicated that " I needed to provide the bill from the collection agency, before they could send me this form '' I called Medical a second time, and got the same response. On XXXX, I called the collection agency, and spoke to a woman by the name of " XXXX '' who said she would forward the bill ( same bill I never received ) to my residence. On XXXX, I called the collection agency once again, and spoke to another woman there who indicated that here name was XXXX XXXX. At this time she indicated that my bill was " archived, and that forwarding it to me would take awhile '' I asked her how long/what time-frame was " awhile ''? and she replied that she had " no idea '' I am attempting to do the right thing, resolve this matter, and the collection agency is far less than helpful. The hospital is supposedly in the amount of {$2500.00}. Thank you in advance for your assistance. Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-08-27

Inglewood, CA

Incorrect information on your report

Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports: Credit reporting

Information belongs to someone else
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-08-26

Tarzana, CA

Communication tactics

Debt collection: Medical debt

Used obscene, profane, or other abusive language
Complaint: I have called on behalf of my husband, The California Business Bureau ( Debt Collection Agency ) on XXXX-2018 after I got their number from XXXX XXXX and I was told to call them in order to get a new XXXX XXXX. The Representative that answered my call was very aggressive and abusive and told me that my husband owes {$15000.00}, which is false. We got into an argument since she didn't let me speak and was aggressive and disrespectful. I hung up the phone. The day after, I got an alert from XXXX that this collection agency had put a hard inquiry on my credit, not my husband 's. I don't know how a collection agency can place and check my credit whenever they want when it's not even my debt.
Company Response: Company disputes the facts presented in the complaint Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-08-21

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action

Debt collection: Medical debt

Threatened or suggested your credit would be damaged
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-08-10

Chula Vista, CA

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Medical debt

Didn't receive notice of right to dispute
Complaint: The original debt collector XXXX XXXX 's Was notified that my Medical Insurance coverage for both XXXX XXXX and Social Security XXXX Insurence Coverage through State Medical the info was provided before the Account was Closed with XXXX, I very recently in XX/XX/XXXX received a Debt collector Call phone call harassing me for $ 500+ I told them the debt was satisfied through XXXX and followed in XX/XX/XXXX I updated XXXX my SSI benefits Medical State Insurance to XXXX , In XX/XX/2018 I than contacted XXXX I spoke again to XXXX who took my insurance Medical Information for my Son who is a minor whom received XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX which was covered by the State Social Security Administration but XXXX failed to provide documentation that their was a debt owed still or if the insurance was ever updated or billed, I debt collector was informed in XX/XX/XXXX over the phone that I dont owe a debt collector and any balance should be closed with a {$0.00} balance through XXXX . The creditors immediately reported right after I spoke to XXXX ; XXXX, XXXX and XXXX XXXX Mail left from XXXX : XX/XX/2018 XXXX Hi uh hi XXXX this is my XXXX with you earlier I'm calling from XXXX XXXX 's XXXX um if you could give us a return phone call um there's some information like to provide two of the number is XXXX thank you bye-bye I had earlier contact XXXX to Verify that they updated my Insurance and they said that the Account was Closed with a {$0.00} balance.
Company Response: Company disputes the facts presented in the complaint Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-06-27

Chula Vista, CA

Communication tactics

Debt collection: Medical debt

Used obscene, profane, or other abusive language
Complaint: I received a notice of debt from California Business Bureau , Inc. about a bill that I partially paid and informed the clerk at XXXX that I was waiting on the second XXXX card less than 30 days ago. Having just returning from vacation on XX/XX/XXXX I received a letter dated XX/XX/XXXX. In the letter is states " If we do not hear from you within 48 hours from the date you receive this notice, we will assume that you do not intend to pay ''. This is a direct violation of FDCPA and further UDAAP causing a false sense of urgency, deceptive practices, and harassment. Engaging in behavior the natural consequence of which was to harass, oppress, or abuse the XXXX in connection with the collection of a debt ( 15 U.S.C. 1692d ) Using false, deceptive, or misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of a debt ( 15 U.S.C. 1692e ) Employing false and deceptive means to collect a debt ( 15 U.S.C. 1692e ( 10 ) ) Using unfair and unconscionable means to collect a debt ( 15 U.S.C. 1692f )
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-06-26

San Jacinto, CA

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical debt

Debt was result of identity theft
Complaint: I owe nothing to this company and no debt is valid. Any debt they allege is fraudulent and without merit. They are unable to produce any signed document evidencing a valid debt on my part and i have advised them of this fact is because of fraudulent activity.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with non-monetary relief

Timely Response

2018-06-06

San Bernardino, CA

Communication tactics

Debt collection: Medical debt

Frequent or repeated calls
Complaint: I received a call at XXXX. I am a remote employee and usually wouldn't answer my phone for personal business. the call had no caller ID at all. No phone number no name. I answered the call. The Collection Agency is California Business Bureau at XXXX Ext XXXX. The Agent 's name is XXXX. The call itself wasn't an issue but when I mentioned that there being no caller ID, she was aware.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-19

La Vernia, TX

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action

Debt collection: Medical debt

Threatened or suggested your credit would be damaged
Complaint: A company called California Business Bureau is reporting on my credit reports medical debt from XX/XX/XXXX-XX/XX/XXXX. I have sent certified mail asking for validation and proof of surety bond in the state of Texas, which they do not have. I live in Texas. The company 's address is XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, CA XXXX. The Texas Secretary of State debt collector website search shows no surety bond in the state of Texas. According to Texas Finance code 392 they must remove all entries from my credit reports with all three bureaus and may not sell or transfer these accounts. I am also aware that I could sue them and be compensated for their illegal debt collection practices on each instance they are reporting.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-11

San Diego, CA

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical debt

Debt was paid
Company Response: Company disputes the facts presented in the complaint Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-09

Gardena, CA

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical debt

Debt was paid
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-06

American Canyon, CA

Incorrect information on your report

Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports: Credit reporting

Personal information incorrect
Company Response: Company disputes the facts presented in the complaint Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-02

San Diego, CA

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical debt

Debt was paid
Company Response: Company disputes the facts presented in the complaint Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-03-28

Hinkley, CA

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical debt

Debt is not yours
Complaint: I have constantly contacted this company for validation of this debt. I never received any documentation from them proving that this is mine. Ive never received correspondence from them either. Im not even sure how this ended up on my credit report without my knowledge of this in the first place. Also I do believe a medical file being sold to a collection agency is in violation of the hippa law.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-03-28

Livermore, CA

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical debt

Debt was paid
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-03-27

Simi Valley, CA

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Other debt

Didn't receive notice of right to dispute
Complaint: I did not receive a notice of right to dispute. I have attached the letter I sent to the company after seeing on my credit report. I still have not yet heard from the company.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-03-06

Rncho Domingz, CA

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action

Debt collection: Medical debt

Sued you without properly notifying you of lawsuit
Complaint: XX/XX/2018, California Business Bureau received my certified letters ( 4 ) requesting them to validate the debt being reported on XXXX under my social security number per the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. In turn, the receptionist at the front desk of my job told me their were papers left for me at her desk. It was a summons I was being sued by California Business Bureau. They failed to provide any contract bearing my signature to validate the debt they were looking to collect or exactly what medical services they were collecting for. I have no idea who these people are. I pulled a new credit report on XX/XX/2018 and they failed to communicate to XXXX credit bureau the debt had been disputed within the 30 day time period. A direct violation of FDCPA Section 807 ( 8 ). They also did not validate and provide any proof or contract bearing my signature I owe them anything.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-02-26

Rncho Domingz, CA

False statements or representation

Debt collection: Medical debt

Attempted to collect wrong amount
Complaint: XX/XX/XXXX I received a letter from California Business Bureau , Inc. asking me to pay a debt from a hospital visit on XX/XX/XXXX for {$1300.00} plus {$290.00} of interest. XX/XX/XXXX I sent a fax to the California Business Bureau , Inc. with a statement from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX showing a balance due of {$660.00} I also faxed a letter to dispute the debt amount. XX/XX/XXXX I called California Business Bureau , Inc. to confirm they received my fax, the person with whom I spoke confirmed it and also explained that one of my health insurance provider, XXXX, paid for my visit to the hospital but they later claimed their money back. She also advised me to call XXXX. I contacted XXXX to confirm this information and the representative informed me that XXXX never paid any amount of that bill because of my deductible hence they never claimed any money back. XX/XX/XXXX I called XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX to verify the amount of my debt and the representative said the hospital sent a balance due of {$660.00} XX/XX/XXXX I called California Business Bureau , Inc. to request an explanation of the amount they are collecting and the manager of my account did not even let me talk she started talking about my insurance provider and that I should contact them, and when I tried to tell her that I talked to them, she never let me. I also told her that I did not understand why she was talking to me that way if I was being polite to her and I only was trying to get responses about the amount they are charging. This agent offered to transfer the call to her supervisor but I was transferred to a voice mail machine instead, I left a message with my name and phone number but I have not been contacted.
Company Response: Company believes the complaint is the result of a misunderstanding Closed with explanation

Untimely Response

2018-02-22

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Medical debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Complaint: Several times a month, they reported to XXXX that I did not pay this debt. They are ruining my credit score, and I never received a bill or an attempt to collect a debt. I think it is fraudulent. SEE BELOW the report to XXXX : CALIFORNIA BUSINESS BU has flagged your account as Collections. Potentially Negative Alerts notify you when one of your accounts has reported information that may negatively impact your credit score. Alert Date XX/XX/XXXX Source XXXX Company CALIFORNIA BUSINESS BU Payment Status Collections Status Date XX/XX/XXXX Balance {$390.00} Balance Date N/A Address XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, CA XXXX
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-02-12

Arco, CA

Improper use of your report

Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports: Credit reporting

Reporting company used your report improperly
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-01-30

Chula Vista, CA

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Medical debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Complaint: Account number XXXX in the amount of {$1500.00} I mailed a certified debt validation letter to California Business Bureau on XX/XX/XXXX that was written on XX/XX/XXXX regarding a debt that was reported on my credit report. The company has failed to validate that this debt is in fact mine. Please review the attached documentation.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response