The CBE Group, Inc.

Financial Services90% confidence

The CBE Group, Inc. is a third‑party debt collection agency based in Cedar Falls, Iowa, that collects overdue accounts on behalf of creditors in industries such as healthcare, telecom, government, education, and financial services.

Cedar Falls, IA
Owned by CBE Companies, Inc.

About The CBE Group, Inc.

The CBE Group, Inc. is a nationwide third‑party debt collection agency headquartered in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It works on behalf of various creditors—including hospitals and medical providers, wireless and cable companies, government agencies, colleges and universities, and banks—to recover past‑due balances. CBE may contact consumers and businesses by phone, mail, email, or text regarding delinquent accounts that have been placed with them for collection.

A charge from “CBE Group / Cedar Falls IA” on a bank statement typically indicates a payment you made toward a debt that CBE is collecting, such as a medical bill, a utility or telecom bill, a government fine or tax obligation, a defaulted student account, or another overdue consumer debt. The transaction may be labeled with a phone number (such as a 319 area code) or a reference to “CBE Group” or “The CBE Group.” In some cases, you might see multiple payments if you set up a payment plan or authorized recurring payments.

If you do not recognize the charge, start by gathering any letters, emails, or text messages from CBE and comparing the account number and amount due with your own records (original bills, statements from the original creditor, or your credit report). You can contact CBE directly using the phone number on your notice or via their official website to request account validation, payment history, or clarification of the charge. Avoid sharing personal or payment information with anyone claiming to be CBE until you have verified their identity using contact details from an official written notice or from CBE’s website, and contact your bank promptly if you suspect an error or unauthorized transaction.

Bank Statement Variations

1 known variations

These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to The CBE Group, Inc..

  1. 253-SALE (DEBIT)-CBE GROUP / 3192346686-CEDAR FALLS-IA-Aug 27 202

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is The CBE Group charging my bank card or account?

A charge from The CBE Group usually means you authorized a payment on a delinquent account that CBE is collecting on behalf of an original creditor (for example, a medical provider, telecom company, government agency, or financial institution). It may be a one‑time payment you made by phone or online, or an installment in a payment plan you set up with them.

I don’t recognize this CBE Group charge—how can I confirm what it’s for?

Locate any recent collection letters, emails, or text messages from The CBE Group and compare the account number and balance with the amount on your bank statement. You can also call CBE using the contact number on an official notice or use their website to verify the last four digits of your Social Security number and confirm the original creditor, service dates, and balance. You may also check your credit report for a matching collection entry.

Can I set up or cancel a payment plan with The CBE Group?

Yes. The CBE Group often allows consumers to set up payment arrangements, including recurring monthly drafts from a bank account or card. To start, modify, or cancel a payment plan, contact them directly using the number on your notice or sign in through their official payment portal linked from cbecompanies.com. Leave enough time before your next scheduled draft if you want to stop an upcoming automatic payment.

How do I request a refund or dispute a payment to The CBE Group?

If you believe a payment was made in error, duplicated, or taken for the wrong amount, contact The CBE Group immediately with your bank statement, payment confirmation, and any correspondence. Ask them to review the transaction and, if appropriate, issue a refund. You should also notify your bank or card issuer right away, as they may be able to assist with a dispute or chargeback within their time limits.

What kinds of debts does The CBE Group typically collect, and what amounts are common?

The CBE Group commonly collects medical bills, telecom and cable balances, education‑related debts (such as unpaid tuition or fees), government obligations, and various consumer loans or credit accounts. Charge amounts can range from small balances under $100 to several hundred or thousands of dollars, depending on the original debt and any negotiated settlement or payment plan.

Why do I see more than one CBE Group transaction or a small pending amount on my account?

Multiple CBE Group transactions may indicate that you are on a payment plan with recurring charges, or that an earlier payment attempt failed and was re‑processed. Occasionally, a small pending amount may appear as an authorization to verify your card or bank information; such holds should drop off once the final payment processes or is reversed by your bank.

How can I contact The CBE Group safely about this charge?

Use the contact phone number or mailing address listed on an official letter or email from The CBE Group, or visit cbecompanies.com and follow links to their consumer or payment portal. Avoid calling numbers or clicking links from unsolicited texts or emails that you cannot verify. When you call, be prepared to provide your reference number from the notice and confirm your identity before discussing account details.

What should I do if I believe The CBE Group is trying to collect a debt that isn’t mine?

If you think CBE is attempting to collect a debt that doesn’t belong to you, request written validation of the debt, including the original creditor, account number, and dates of service or charges. If it appears to be an error, send a written dispute letter to The CBE Group as soon as possible and keep copies of all correspondence. You may also consider placing a fraud alert or security freeze on your credit file and reviewing your credit reports for other unfamiliar accounts.

This merchant is in the Financial Services category

Browse all

Compare The CBE Group, Inc.

Got more mystery charges?

Paste your bank statement codes and we'll tell you exactly who charged you.

Find out who charged you