#1 Way to Remove 'CMI Group' (Hurting Your Score)

They're usually calling to collect a sold or assigned consumer account - CMI Group (Credit Management LP) typically handled things like cable, medical, or credit‑card debts, but don't assume legitimacy; verify before you admit anything.

• Common reason: a creditor sold your unpaid balance and CMI or a buyer is attempting collection.
• Verify first: ask for caller's full name, company, original creditor, account number, amount, and a mailing address - do not confirm you owe anything.
• If unfamiliar: demand written debt validation and pause all verbal details until it arrives.
• Scam risk: impersonators use real company names; never give SSN, bank info, or payment details on an unverified call.
• Note: since CMI Group ceased operations in October 2024, current calls may be from lingering accounts, third‑party buyers, or resellers - cross‑check your credit report for matching entries.
• Harassment or illegal tactics: document dates/times, save voicemails, and file an FDCPA complaint via the CFPB complaint portal.
• If validation isn't provided or the debt isn't yours: dispute with the bureaus, send a written cease‑and‑validate letter, and consider legal help if collectors persist.

Mostly consumer balances – cable/telecom bills, medical debts, credit‑card delinquencies and utility charges, with some commercial accounts mixed in.

CMI Group commonly acquired charged‑off accounts from original creditors at a discount and worked both first‑ and third‑party collection files. Their focus was telecommunications and healthcare; they typically avoided routine business‑to‑business collections unless a file explicitly showed a commercial account.

Check your credit report for listings under "Credit Management LP" to match accounts. After CMI Group's post‑2024 closure, unresolved balances may have been sold or moved to other collectors. To spot transfers early, get a free credit report and request validation for any unfamiliar entry.

• Cable / telecommunications bills
• Medical and healthcare balances
• Credit‑card charge‑offs and delinquencies
• Utility payments (gas, electric, water)
• Occasional commercial accounts (less common)
• Charged‑off accounts purchased from original creditors
• Verification tips: look for "Credit Management LP," request debt validation, monitor for account transfers after 2024

Shortly: CMI Group (Credit Management LP) was a legitimate, long‑running debt collector (39 years) that ceased operations in October 2024 - it isn't widely characterized as a scam, but you must verify any contact because it had compliance problems.

• Always demand a mailed debt validation notice within 30 days - that's your FDCPA right.
• Ask for the original creditor, account number, balance, and written proof before paying.
• Red flags: pressure for instant payment by wire, prepaid/gift cards, threats of arrest, or refusal to give details - treat those as fraud.
• Verify the caller by checking their former phone 800‑377‑7713 and their BBB listing (not accredited), and cross‑check court records (PACER) for cases like Coleman v. Credit Management LP.
• If you're unsure, don't give personal or banking info and log date/time of every contact.

CMI drew many consumer complaints for aggressive tactics and settled/was sued for FDCPA issues, which points to operational abuse rather than a mass scam; if you suspect fraud or illegal collection practices, document everything and file a complaint with the FTC.

Before CMI Group ceased operations on October 31, 2024, their official phone was 800‑377‑7713 and their known business addresses were 6080 Tennyson Pkwy, Plano, TX 75024, and 4200 International Pkwy, Carrollton, TX 75007. These were the contact points used on past collection notices and records, so note them on any paperwork you already have.

Since the October 31, 2024 closure, incoming contacts may be handled by successor agencies or routed through archived records from their former site (thecmigroup.com is now defunct); for disputes, send certified mail to the Plano address and keep proof of delivery. Verify any reply before paying or sharing sensitive data to avoid scams that impersonate CMI Group, and retain copies of every communication for validation or legal use.

<answer>You have clear federal protections under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act when dealing with CMI Group.

• Request written debt validation within 30 days of the first notice; they must verify the debt.
• Send a written cease-and-desist to stop communications; a written request generally ends most contact.

Dis

Send CMI Group a certified‑mail debt‑validation request to their Plano address within 30 days of their first contact, itemizing the alleged balance, account number, original creditor, date of last activity, and demanding proof of assignment plus the signed original agreement if one exists. Use the CFPB debt validation template as a starting point, keep a copy of the letter and the certified‑mail receipt, and date‑stamp everything you send and receive.

If they fail to produce adequate validation (for example, no signed contract or no clear chain‑of‑assignment), they must cease collection of the disputed debt and should not lawfully continue reporting it; if collection or reporting continues, file a complaint with the CFPB and your state attorney general and dispute the item with the credit bureaus using your validation request and receipts.

Preserve all evidence, send a short certified follow‑up referencing your original demand, and consider an attorney if harassment continues - successor collectors can surface after a file closes, but absent proper documentation the debt may be unenforceable and collectors who press it risk FDCPA/accuracy violations that strengthen your dispute.

Begin by sending a written dispute to CMI and to each credit bureau demanding validation and deletion if they can't prove the account is yours.

Send a certified debt‑validation letter to CMI asking for the original creditor, contract, full chain of ownership, and proof you owe it; send written disputes to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion (online and by certified mail) identifying the exact item. If you suspect identity theft, file and attach an identity affidavit using FTC identitytheft.gov affidavit forms. Keep every receipt and a tight paper trail.

• Request debt validation from CMI by certified mail (keep return receipt).
• Dispute the tradeline with each bureau (use the report snapshot from annualcreditreport.com).
• Include evidence: FTC affidavit/police report, account statements or bank records, proof of different name/SSN/address, and any correspondence showing it's not yours.
• Demand deletion under the FCRA if CMI or the bureaus cannot validate within the 30‑day window.
• If ignored or not corrected, file a CFPB complaint and keep copies of everything.

Bureaus have a 30‑day investigation duty; if they can't verify, the law requires deletion. Monitor weekly via annualcreditreport.com and refile disputes if the item reappears. Many consumers have won deletions after CFPB complaints when CMI couldn't validate.

Protect yourself: do not admit the debt or make partial payments, archive all proofs, and escalate to your state attorney general or a consumer‑law attorney if CMI sues or continues harassment.

Short answer: No - federal law tightly limits where and when CMI Group can reach you.

Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act a collector may not contact you at work if your employer forbids it or you tell them it's inconvenient, and calls are generally not allowed before 8 AM or after 9 PM (unless you consent or an attorney is involved). Repeated or workplace calls are a common FDCPA complaint and can be harassment if persistent. (law.cornell.edu, consumerfinance.gov)

They also can't publicly shame you online or broadcast your debt; posting about your debt on social media or discussing details with friends/family beyond basic location info is prohibited. Private social‑media messages are allowed but must identify the sender as a collector and provide an opt‑out; calls or messages that are harassing across any channel are unlawful. (consumerfinance.gov, law.cornell.edu)

If CMI Group crosses these lines, send a written cease‑contact (cease) notice, keep copies, and log every violation - that creates evidence for CFPB complaints or an FDCPA lawsuit. You can use a CFPB sample letter to specify which contacts must stop and then report repeat violations; post‑closure contacts from unauthorized parties may also be illegal. See CFPB sample cease-contact letter. (consumerfinance.gov)

Send a certified cease-and-desist to CMI's Plano address demanding no further contact - this typically stops the calls but does not stop them from suing.

Mail it certified with return receipt and keep the receipt and a scanned copy; write plain language demanding they cease all phone, text, mail, and third‑party contacts.

If they threaten you or call repeatedly, report the abuse to regulators and your state attorney general - start by filing a complaint online at file a complaint with the CFPB. CMI Group has 15+ FDCPA lawsuits against it; many consumers recovered roughly $1,000 in statutory damages through contingency‑fee attorneys.

Record every interaction: dates, times, caller ID, screenshots, voicemails, certified‑mail tracking and any written notices; request debt validation in writing and save the response. If harassment persists after you close the loop, it can signal a scam - block numbers, freeze or monitor your credit, place fraud alerts, and consult an FDCPA attorney.

Typically, CMI Group may only add interest, fees, or other charges when your original contract or state law expressly allows those additions; if not, extra amounts are improper and should be challenged immediately.

• Contract terms: check your original agreement for permitted interest rates, late‑fee formulas, fee caps, and assignment/collection clauses.
• State law & timing: some states cap fees or prohibit new interest on charged‑off or time‑barred debts.
• FDCPA disclosure: collectors must state the amount claimed and who owns the debt; unexplained increases can violate the FDCPA.
• Real-world reports: consumers sometimes find unauthorized extras on CMI notices - treat unexpected increases as suspect.
• How to dispute: within 30 days of first contact send a written validation request demanding an itemized accounting and the original contract, and insist they halt collection until they validate.
• If overcharged: document everything, send certified dispute letters, dispute the tradeline with credit bureaus, file complaints with the CFPB and your state attorney general, and consider an attorney for FDCPA or state‑law claims.
• After sale/charge‑off: buyers or successors must follow the same contract and legal limits and cannot lawfully invent new fees.

No - a collector can't legally take your pay, benefits, or drain your bank account out of nowhere; they must first get a court judgment and follow state and federal garnishment and notice rules.

Collectors need a judgment, a writ of garnishment or levy, and proper notice before wages or bank accounts can be seized. Federal law generally caps wage garnishment (commonly up to 25% of disposable earnings or the amount allowed under the Consumer Credit Protection Act), and state rules can be stricter. The FDCPA prohibits false threats or implying they can do these things without court process.

Many benefits and certain accounts are exempt, and improper seizures (for example, from protected federal benefits or after a case is closed) are usually invalid and contestable. If money has been taken you can demand proof of judgment, file a claim of exemption or motion to quash in the court that issued the garnishment, notify your bank, and file complaints (CFPB/state AG) or seek a lawyer; for federal-benefit specifics see federal benefit garnishment rules.

• Protected assets: Social Security/SSI, many VA payments, certain federal benefits and retirement accounts.
• Typical limit: up to 25% of disposable wages (federal cap; state limits may be lower).
• Immediate steps: demand judgment copy, file exemption/claim with court, motion to quash, inform your bank, file CFPB/state AG complaint, consult consumer attorney or legal aid.

Short answer: Credit Management LP (the CMI Group collection arm) is not BBB‑accredited and shows a record of consumer complaints, while the similarly named CMI Credit Mediators is a separate company with an A+ BBB rating.

Credit Management LP's BBB profile notes it is not accredited and includes a notice about winding up operations; the profile is the official place to verify status and public alerts. (bbb.org)

BBB complaint records for the Credit Management/CMI Group listing include numerous consumer complaints alleging harassment, attempts to collect invalid or unverified debts, slow or absent responses, and billing disputes; the public complaints page summarizes complaints and resolutions (the BBB shows hundreds of complaints in recent years and many consumer reports of unresolved issues). (bbb.org)

Do not conflate names: CMI Credit Mediators, Inc. is a different business, BBB‑accredited and rated A+ (business‑to‑business collections), so your actions should hinge on which legal entity contacted you. (bbb.org)

If you're checking your case, review the company's BBB profile directly, request written debt validation, document every contact, and file a BBB or state complaint if you see harassment or unverifiable debt; start your review at the Credit Management LP BBB profile for the complaint history and business details. (bbb.org)

Yes - CMI Group has been the target of FDCPA litigation, but public records show mixed outcomes and limited documented class recoveries.

Notable filings include Coleman v. Credit Management LP, a suit about mistaken calls that the court resolved for the defendant, and Langdon v. Credit Management LP, which alleged harassment; for a compiled list of complaints and filings see Cardozo Law case list.

Settlement records are sparse and often private; public dockets don't support a pattern of large undisclosed class payouts, though individual actions can recover actual damages and typically statutory damages up to $1,000 per FDCPA action - contact a consumer attorney or class counsel to explore joining a case if you believe you were harmed.

Don't panic - act fast: immediately request written validation and preserve every document so you keep control of the situation.

Within 30 days of the first notice, send a written validation request asking for the original creditor, the exact amount, account numbers, and proof of assignment; mail it by certified mail with return receipt and keep copies.

Pull your credit reports and verify the account matches what CMI Group claims - check dates of last activity, balances, and whether the debt is time‑barred; don't admit liability or make any payments that could restart the clock.

If information is wrong, dispute with each credit bureau and send a written dispute to the collector with supporting documents; under the FDCPA the collector must validate the debt or stop collection while validation is pending.

Document every call, letter, and delivery receipt; if CMI Group behaves suspiciously after a supposed account closure, report it to the FTC and your state attorney general, and seek a consumer‑law attorney or certified credit specialist if the file is complex or you face a lawsuit.

Ignore CMI and you could face lawsuits, a judgment that allows wage garnishment or bank levy, and a seven‑year credit mark - but no, they cannot have you arrested for owing money.

• Request debt validation in writing (you have 30 days under the FDCPA) and send it by certified mail.
• Ask for a hardship plan or payment arrangement from the original creditor or collector.
• Consider a written settlement offer and get any agreement in writing before paying.
• If the debt is time‑barred, avoid partial payments or written acknowledgments that can revive it.

Charged‑off balances often sell to new collectors. Judgments can extend collection rights well past the typical statute of limitations (commonly 4–6 years depending on state). Making payments or admitting the debt can restart the clock. If you're sued, respond to the summons - ignoring court papers is how judgments happen.

• Keep all letters, call logs, and certified‑mail receipts.
• Send a written cease‑and‑desist only to stop calls (it won't erase the debt).
• If you can't pay, talk to a bankruptcy attorney about Chapter 7/13 options.
• If sued, seek free legal aid or a consumer attorney immediately and check your credit reports for disputes.

Not usually - accepting a reduced payoff with CMI can save you substantial money but it brings clear trade-offs you should plan for.

You can often settle for far less than the full balance (people commonly save 40–60%), so start offers around 30% and negotiate upward. Get every promise in writing. Ask for a deletion or 'pay for delete' clause before paying. Document dates, amounts, and the collector's name. Avoid making partial or informal payments that could restart an old claim or toll the statute of limitations.

Forgiven balances may be taxable. If CMI cancels part of the debt you might receive a IRS page on Form 1099‑C and owe tax on the forgiven amount. Also, most settlements show on credit reports as 'settled' (not 'paid in full') and can hurt score recovery, so insist on specific reporting language in writing.

Before offering money, request debt validation and use proven negotiation tactics. Pay with a traceable method only after you have the written agreement. For practical negotiation tips and consumer rights to cite during talks, see the CFPB negotiating with collectors guidance.

Yes - a collector like CMI can take you to civil court to collect an unpaid account, but they cannot arrest you for simply not paying. (consumerfinance.gov, ftc.gov)

• Lawsuit basics: a creditor or buyer of the debt files a complaint and serves a summons.
• Deadlines: you usually have about 20–30 days (varies by state and the summons) to file an answer; missing it risks a default judgment.
• After judgment: the court can allow wage garnishment, bank levies, or liens - not arrest - to satisfy the judgment.
• Common defenses: raise the statute of limitations (time‑barred debt), demand validation, prove the debt isn't yours, or dispute chain‑of‑title if the account was sold.
• Validation and rules: collectors must provide written validation and certain disclosures (30‑day dispute window); FDCPA bans threats of arrest or false claims of legal action. (consumerfinance.gov, oag.ca.gov, ftc.gov)

Act fast: respond to any court papers, send a written request for debt validation, and get legal help or local legal aid if sued. For federal guidance on arrest threats and your rights see CFPB guidance on arrest and lawsuits. (consumerfinance.gov)

You can sue CMI Group under federal and state debt‑collection laws and file regulatory complaints to stop illegal collection practices and seek money for harm. Under the FDCPA you can recover actual damages, statutory damages (up to $1,000), and attorneys' fees and costs for harassment, false statements, repeated calls, or failure to validate a debt; send a written debt‑validation request and a cease‑and‑desist, preserve all calls, texts, letters, screenshots and voicemails as evidence, and consult a consumer attorney (small‑claims court is an option for smaller claims and state laws may allow greater damages).

If CMI's conduct is a pattern, you can pursue or join a class action; consumer firms have brought claims against CMI - see examples against CMI Group. You should also file a CFPB complaint, contact your state attorney general, document timelines and harms, check the statute of limitations for your state, and speak with contingency‑fee counsel or legal aid to evaluate suit vs. settlement.

You can avoid paying CMI Group - but only in narrow, provable situations: unverified claims, time‑barred debts, identity‑theft errors, or debts legally discharged.

If CMI can't validate the account, don't pay. Send a written debt‑validation request (and dispute with the credit bureaus). If they fail to produce contract-level proof, you can force deletion or settlement instead of payment. Keep records and use the FDCPA and bureau disputes as leverage.

If the debt is older than your state's statute of limitations, do not admit liability or make a partial payment - those acts can restart the clock and give CMI grounds to sue. Bankruptcy will discharge eligible debts, though it has major credit and life consequences; after discharge an unpaid account often disappears unless it's sold to another buyer.

Other options: negotiate a pay‑for‑delete or settlement (get any deal in writing), file an identity‑theft report if it's not yours, and complain to CFPB or your state attorney general for harassment or FDCPA violations. If sued, respond - default judgments make escape far harder.

• Unvalidated debt: demand verification; refuse payment until provided.
• Time‑barred (SOL expired): check your state law; avoid acknowledgments.
• Identity theft/not yours: file police/FTC report and dispute.
• Credit bureau dispute: can trigger account removal if unverifiable.
• Bankruptcy discharge: eliminates eligible debts but has long-term effects.
• CMI doesn't validate or respond: ask bureaus to remove the tradeline.
• Partial payment risk: may revive an expired statute of limitations.
• If sued: respond immediately or risk a judgment.

Usually go with dispute-based credit repair first - it can remove inaccurate CMI entries without creating a 'paid collection' mark that can linger on your score.

Credit repair disputes inaccuracies with bureaus and forces validation from collectors. Paying CMI Group outright can stop calls but often posts a 'paid collection' remark and, in some cases, revives time‑barred debt. Both routes carry tradeoffs.

• Credit repair - Pros: may remove errors faster, avoids 'paid' notation; Cons: costs fees, takes time, not guaranteed.
• Paying CMI Group - Pros: stops collection activity and may settle for less; Cons: posts 'paid collection' for up to 7 years and can revive old debts.
• Hybrid move - Negotiate a pay‑for‑delete or conditional settlement after a successful validation. This mixes benefits and risks.

If you hire pros, they quietly push for validation, targeted disputes, and negotiated removals instead of rushing payment. Compare repair fees to likely settlement savings. Don't admit the debt or make partial payments until you know the statute of limitations situation.

Start yourself for free: pull your reports via free annual credit reports, file bureau disputes on inaccurate CMI items, send a written debt‑validation request to CMI, and only consider payment after validation or an agreed pay‑for‑delete.