AFNI Collections Collection notice, paid bill, need help to make sure they don't screw me more ripoff Bloomington Illinois
Well, I consider myself to be pretty savvy at avoiding money scams. But I received the 'typical' AFNI collection letter. It was for a Verizon NY bill from 1996. My original thought was scam. I checked their website and it looked like an actual company and not just something set up to collect money. I read some of the stuff on the FTC website that they had linked and it looked pretty legit.
I fell into the trap because I did live in the town their records indicated. Although I don't have specific memories of the exact address or phone number, they weren't totally wrong. And I was about to go through a divorce and my ex-wife was terrible at paying the bills or just throwing them away. So it was easier for me to believe that there is some final bill out there that just never caught up to me. I was in the military and have had 8 different mailing addresses since 1996. The amount was 98.24. And that didn't seem too far off base.
My first thought was to just send them a letter. I have never had a collection notice before, and didn't know the importance of communicating in writing. So in an effort to get the thing resolved I called them. I spoke to Frank around 8pm on 6/08/07. He seemed to be very nice and understanding that I was pissed about an 11 year old bill. We talked for a while and I eventually got them to settle for $50. I paid by check over the phone. He said because it was resolved quickly, it will not be reported to the credit bureaus.
Then when I was going on their site today to print out my receipt showing that it was closed, I noticed all these ripoff reports in the rearch results.
So now I need to help to find out what will happen to my credit. Or do I need to change my bank account number? Who do I complain to? Any information would be a help at this point.
David
Sandusky, Ohio
U.S.A.
8 Updates & Rebuttals
Mary Clare
Albany,New York,
U.S.A.
Old Debts
#9Consumer Comment
Thu, June 14, 2007
In all likelihood, this is outside of the statute of limitations in most states, so it is not legally collectible; nor can it appear on a credit report. Read Bud Hibbs' site...there is apparently a "wave" of demands for payment on very old and uncollectible bills currently being sent by this company. Know your rights and don't be bullied into paying something you don't have to--they are banking on the non-savvy consumers who don't know their rights and and can be coerced into sending money.
Adam
Normal,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Calm Down
#9UPDATE Employee
Wed, June 13, 2007
David, we are a real company and your credit report will be fine. We are a very large collection agency and in turn there are a lot of people who don't like us because we legitimately put things on their credit report and that angers them.
Simply put there are a lot of people out there that don't like collection agency's because they owe us money and they have a problem with that. The bill you speak of is very old and that is why we are able to settle on it like you did. If you have not received a receipt on it, you will very soon, and you do not have to worry about it hitting your credit.
Though the debt is still owed and can be collected on, it has passed the point where it can be listed on a credit report. You should be at a zero balance where nothing is owed, you will get a receipt, and nothing will show on your credit.
David
Sandusky,Ohio,
U.S.A.
Beware of payments, Afni Collections, Bloomington Illinois
#9Author of original report
Sat, June 09, 2007
After digging in a little more into debt collectors, as this was my first experience, I found many horror stories of collectors taking much more money than authorized and even some where people's accounts are emptied out.
I am fortunate that I was able to get my account closed before Afni tried to take any money. After reading some of the advice on the this page, I checked out budhibbs.com and even spoke to Mr. Hibbs. He is a great guy and told me I was fortunate they weren't able to get any money from me. He has a very good letter on his site that forces collectors to cease phone communication and forces them to produce substantiating documentation.
I was also concerned that Afni would try to come after me because I gave them my banking information and then closed the account. But he says they have no basis for a fraud claim against me because my account was closed.
Don
Belleville,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Release Letter
#9Consumer Suggestion
Fri, June 08, 2007
David,
As you have already paid this, and paid a settlement, I would suggest that you ask them to send you a release letter. Most "reputable" collection agenices (such thing does exist) will do this. That is to be used as your proof that an agreement was made, and fulfilled to both yours and their satisfaction. These are usually mailed out, but sometimes they will fax one to you if neccessary. If you paid them by check, they will not be able to send this till after the check clears (usually 10 business days).
Don
Belleville,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Release Letter
#9Consumer Suggestion
Fri, June 08, 2007
David,
As you have already paid this, and paid a settlement, I would suggest that you ask them to send you a release letter. Most "reputable" collection agenices (such thing does exist) will do this. That is to be used as your proof that an agreement was made, and fulfilled to both yours and their satisfaction. These are usually mailed out, but sometimes they will fax one to you if neccessary. If you paid them by check, they will not be able to send this till after the check clears (usually 10 business days).
Don
Belleville,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Release Letter
#9Consumer Suggestion
Fri, June 08, 2007
David,
As you have already paid this, and paid a settlement, I would suggest that you ask them to send you a release letter. Most "reputable" collection agenices (such thing does exist) will do this. That is to be used as your proof that an agreement was made, and fulfilled to both yours and their satisfaction. These are usually mailed out, but sometimes they will fax one to you if neccessary. If you paid them by check, they will not be able to send this till after the check clears (usually 10 business days).
Don
Belleville,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Release Letter
#9Consumer Suggestion
Fri, June 08, 2007
David,
As you have already paid this, and paid a settlement, I would suggest that you ask them to send you a release letter. Most "reputable" collection agenices (such thing does exist) will do this. That is to be used as your proof that an agreement was made, and fulfilled to both yours and their satisfaction. These are usually mailed out, but sometimes they will fax one to you if neccessary. If you paid them by check, they will not be able to send this till after the check clears (usually 10 business days).
David
Sandusky,Ohio,
U.S.A.
AFNI Collections, stopped payment, changed banking info
#9Author of original report
Fri, June 08, 2007
I called my bank this morning. I explained what was going on and they closed my account as 'comprimised' and moved my money over to a new account.
Where does this leave me with Afni, since I was going to settle, before I found out they were probably scamming me? Will this be reportable to the credit bureaus? Is there a law enforcement official I can follow up with? I live in OH, the 'bill' is from NY, and they are located in IL.