CBC LLC on Your Credit Report: Your Options Explained

CBC LLC was formed in 2003 by acquiring five regional collection agencies across northeastern Tennessee. Their 29 BBB complaints have accelerated sharply, with 18 filed in the past 12 months alone.

A 2019 BBB complaint describes CBC purchasing a medical debt one month after a consumer received a Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharge, then continuing to report an open $500 balance to credit bureaus.

This guide covers who CBC is, their documented patterns, and how to respond.

Who Is CBC LLC?

CBC LLC, also known as CBC Collections, is a Blountville, Tennessee healthcare debt collection agency formed in 2003 through the acquisition of five regional agencies. The CFPB categorizes CBC complaints under the parent entity Mar-Joe Enterprises.

Confirmed clients include Holston Medical Group in Johnson City and JC Utilities in Johnson City. CBC has historic ties to Ballad Health, whose Tennessee Valley Collections division was one of the five agencies CBC acquired. They now operate in 18 states and are not known for suing consumers.

The Bankruptcy Discharge Violation

A documented 2019 BBB complaint describes a consumer who filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Tennessee and received a discharge notice. One month after the discharge, a sleep disorder specialist sold the debt to CBC. CBC continued reporting an open $500 balance to credit bureaus.

Collecting on a debt discharged in bankruptcy is a federal violation separate from the FDCPA. If CBC is contacting you about a debt included in a bankruptcy discharge, send a copy of your discharge order to CBC by certified mail and file a complaint with the bankruptcy court that issued your discharge.

Demands for Personal Information Before Identifying the Debt

Multiple consumer reports describe CBC representatives calling and immediately demanding a Social Security number, full date of birth, and home address before explaining who they represent or what the debt involves.

One documented consumer report describes refusing to provide this information to an inbound caller. The representative wished them a good day and hung up. Under the FDCPA, collectors must identify themselves and state the communication is from a debt collector before requesting sensitive personal information. End any CBC call that begins with a demand for your SSN or date of birth and request all future communication in writing.

Continuing After the Original Provider Confirms Payment

A documented BBB complaint describes a consumer who confirmed with their hospital that all bills were paid. CBC continued calling about the same account. A second documented BBB complaint involves a JC Utilities consumer who mailed payment and was told by the utility that the flag on their account was removed. CBC still sent the account to collections.

If the original provider confirms a zero balance, send that confirmation to CBC by certified mail and dispute the credit bureau entry simultaneously. Request written confirmation from the provider that the account was recalled from CBC.

Documentation Gaps From Five-Agency Consolidation

CBC was formed by consolidating five separate regional agencies, each with their own files and documentation systems. Consumer advocates note that for accounts crossing five merged networks and 18 states, documentation gaps on older accounts are realistic.

If CBC cannot produce the original creditor, the complete chain of ownership, and the signed agreement creating the debt, they cannot legally continue collecting. A thorough validation request asking specifically for each of these items may expose gaps that support removal.

What CBC Cannot Do Under Federal Law

The FDCPA and federal bankruptcy law apply to CBC LLC. Under these laws, they cannot:

• Collect on debts discharged in bankruptcy: A documented 2019 BBB complaint involving a Chapter 7 discharge.
• Continue collecting after the original provider confirms payment: Documented in both a hospital and a JC Utilities BBB complaint.
• Demand SSN and date of birth before identifying the purpose of the call: A documented multi-platform complaint pattern.
• Use false or misleading information to collect: A documented CFPB complaint category.
• Call outside permitted hours: Contact is only allowed between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in your time zone.

File complaints at consumerfinance.gov. Tennessee residents can also file with the Tennessee Attorney General’s Consumer Affairs Division.

Medical Debt Reporting Rules Apply

Because CBC collects primarily for healthcare providers, specific protections apply. Medical debts under $500 are not reported, paid medical collections are removed, and unpaid medical debt has a one-year waiting period before reporting. If your account falls under any of these categories, dispute it immediately.

Verify Before Paying Anything

Contact the original provider directly to confirm the balance before engaging CBC. Send a written debt validation request by certified mail within 30 days of first contact. Ask for the original creditor, the dates of service, an itemized bill, and the complete chain of ownership from the original provider to CBC.

Do not provide your Social Security number or financial account information to any inbound CBC caller before receiving written validation.

How to Check Your Credit Report for CBC Errors

Pull your credit reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. Search under CBC LLC, CBC Collections, and Mar-Joe Enterprises. Is the original provider identified? Was prior written notice received before the account appeared? Does the balance match your insurance records?

Any inaccuracy is grounds for a dispute with each credit bureau.

How Long Can CBC Legally Pursue the Debt?

Tennessee has a 6-year statute of limitations on most consumer debts. The relevant state is typically where you currently reside.

Your Options for Resolving a CBC Account

Once you have verified the debt:

• Contact the original provider directly: Holston Medical Group and JC Utilities are confirmed clients. The provider controls the underlying account.
• Send bankruptcy discharge documentation immediately: Send your discharge order to CBC by certified mail and file a complaint with the bankruptcy court.
• Request full documentation: CBC’s five-agency consolidation history makes documentation gaps a realistic defense on older accounts.
• Dispute if the provider confirms payment: Send proof to both the provider and CBC by certified mail simultaneously.

How to Contact CBC LLC

Handle all communication in writing:

• Address: CBC LLC, 2016 Highway 75, Suite 6, Blountville, TN 37617
• Mailing address: PO Box 1509, Blountville, TN 37617
• Phone: (423) 354-0035

Bottom Line

CBC LLC was built from five regional Tennessee agencies and now operates across 18 states. Their most serious documented issues are collecting on bankruptcy-discharged debt and continuing to pursue balances after the original provider confirms payment.

Send a copy of any bankruptcy discharge order immediately if applicable. Contact the original provider before engaging CBC on any balance. Do not provide personal identifying information to inbound CBC callers before receiving written validation.