Complaint

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Judy Thomas
Country: United States
I received a collection bill from this company on a nynex phone number in New York.  I have never been to New York, never had a phone in NY etc.  Called the company and was told to file a dispute on their website.  When I started to do this, they wanted birthdate, DL number etc.  I decided that it was not a good idea to give them all this additional info.  I have not checked my credit report but will and if I find it will dispute it through the credit agency.  This is crazy.

Comments

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  • 0
    Kamran Khan
    Thanks A lot TJ
  • 0
    MRG
    We received an afni collection notice in the mail today, with afni address in bloomington, Illinois trying to collect a debt for MCI bill for $135.13. My husband and I have NEVER had MCI. Thank Goodness I googled afni and came upon this site. Any suggestions?
  • 0
    tj
    Immediately send a letter disputing the debt and requesting that they send proof (validation) that you owe the debt.  Include in your letter that you have never had an account with MCI, and that this is NOT your debt.  Send this letter certified, return receipt requested, and confirm the date of their receipt of it via the returned green card or on line at usps.gov.  Keep copies of all communications in your files.

    Under the federal FDCPA, debt collectors must cease all collection activities on receiving a request for validation until they obtain and forward validation to the consumer.

    If you have any further problems with them, file a complaint with FTC, your state AG, and contact the Illinois Attorney General, who is investigating them.  If they put damaging information on your credit reports, dispute it in writing thru the credit reporting agencies.  If they "verify" the erroneous information, contact the above agencies and start looking for an attorney.
  • 0
    concerned citizen
    Just received collection notice from Afni for bill from Alltel dating back to 1996.  When contacted them, refused to disclose personal information and asked for documentation showing efforts to keep in touch from 1996 to present.  In reality, the bill was Alltel's attempt to charge for early cancellation of service (cancellation was due to job relocation to area Alltel did not serve at the time).  Issue was resolved and surprised to find someone could have access to this in 2008.  We wish to do what we can to report fraudulent efforts to collect as we are not legally bound to this and fear for those who may not be aware of their options/knowledge as to how to protect themselves from AFNI.  Hope people are reading this and using advice provided to protect themselves - we are and thank you.  Post information if anything we can do to be of further assistance.
  • 0
    concerned citizen
    sorry - forgot to mention in above notice that AFNI refused to provide any information pertaining to efforts to keep in touch from 1996 to present and repeatedly stated our credit would be ruined. We were to provide information showing that the issue was resolved or we would have to pay.  They conveniently offered to let us pay half the amount due and consider the account closed.  Please not, our credit is outstanding (we are blessed) and knew something was terribly wrong.  We have contacted the FCC and FTC as well and they have asked us to submit formal complaints pertaining to AFNI.  Thank you again for providing help to those being abused by AFNI.
  • 0
    tj
    Under federal law, the FCRA, negative credit information can only be posted on your credit reports for a period of 7.5 years from the original date of delinquency.  Their statement that your credit could be ruined due to a debt from 1996 was false, an attempt to use deception to collect a debt, and a violation of the FDCPA.  

    Report the full details of AFNI's activities to both FTC, and the Illinois Attorney General.  Include that they were attempting to collect on an old and invalid debt that you had already resolved years ago with the original creditor, Alltel, that you did not owe it, and that they threatened to illegally damage your credit in an attempt to extort payment.
  • 0
    KM
    Anyone have an actual physical mailing address for Afini? I got a collection letter from a number I havent had since 2000 (when I moved from Maryland to NY) and it's over 2 thousand dollars. I have prepared a letter to them stating that I dont owe the debt and that this is past the SOL for them to even bother me.
    They're tricky though. I want to send it by FedEx so that I can confirm delivery but they only provide a PO box. TJ/Anyone...do you happen to have a physical address for Afni?

    Thanks
    KM
  • 0
    tj
    Here is their BBB report:
    http://heartofillinois.bbb.org/WWWRoot/Report ... 24&firm=9000349
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