AFNI, INC.-AGENTS REPORTING-INCORRECT INFORMATION ON NOTICES AND TO ME. AFNI COLLECTION AGENCY DOESN'T EVEN HAVE THEIR OWN INFORMATION CORRECT, VERIZON ADVERTISING, VERIZON PHONE BOOK, VERIZON ADS, VERIZON COLLECTIONS RIPOFF BLOOMINGTON Illinois
I received a letter today from AFNI, Inc. which stated I owed Verizon Virginia, Inc. $124.15. It shows a disconnected phone number involved on the notice. I called to find out more information. The agent tells me in the year 2000, I had this particular phone number and it was disconnected and the bill was never paid. I asked him then how was I able to get phone service for the last 7 years with Verizon and never heard anything about this. He told me that there was a Virginia law that states that Phone Service companies cannot deny you service for a delinquent bill. I don't believe that. Anyhow, I was worried because I have excellent credit and I knew I didn't owe any outstanding bill. I pay my bills the minute they arrive. I started searching my files and guess what? I found a file one inch thick called VERIZON in my filing cabinent. Turns out the AFNI collection agent misinformed me. This was a Verizon Phone Book/Yellow pages advertisement issue not a disconnected phone number whatsoever. It
Basically I had an advertisement for a business once and they ran the ad when they shouldn't have an additional year, and then when I advised them of their mistake and submitted proof that i had asked it to be canceled they gave me a refund. Three years later I started getting collection notices for something they had already billed me for and refunded me for. Anyhow, I have a ton of paperwork, that I saved just for this reason to keep trying to get this 7 year old issue out of my life.
I am upset because AFNI, Inc. Insisted during the phone call I had a delinquent phone bill. They don't even have correct information to dispute their claim. To me that is FRAUDULENT. Now I have to send them about 100 sheets of papers, bills, letters and receipts and start this all over again.
I would advise you all out there. Don't just assume it was a phone number, it could be for any kind of Verizon service. Wireless, Internet, Pagers, Advertising, Etc. Also if you ever have to write tons of correspondence on anything. SAVE it for the rest of your life. Because this is the third time, now it has come back to haunt me.
Karen
Chesapeake, Virginia
U.S.A.
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Michael
Bountiful,Utah,
U.S.A.
AFNI
#6Consumer Comment
Tue, July 10, 2007
They blow. Just like all the other junk debt buyers. Go to budhibbs. His site will tell you how to deal with these parasites.
Karen
Chesapeake,Virginia,
U.S.A.
update
#6Author of original report
Mon, July 09, 2007
I always send any correspondence Return Receipt Requested, and everyone that knows me, knows when I send a letter out to someone who I feel has done me wrong, I am going to win. I have returning nightmares from other companies before so I always save my records even ten years later. Yes, I should have never called the agent when receiving the letter, I just couldn't believe I was receiving it and I guess I was such shock, I couldn't relax enough to wait, basically because I knew I never had a unpaid disconnected phone balance. Now that I have found the records related to the original vendor "VERIZON", yes I will submit my copies anyway to protect myself, and all I can do is do what I need to do to make sure that this goes away peacefully. I don't really want to be nasty, more like "here ya go...in a few paragraphs show that after many, many letters to straighten it out years ago, I was ignored and ultimately turned over to now four different companies each have been unsuccesful and have given up. The whole case is somewhat complicated, but the paperwork in my file will be my armor. Thanks for the tips. I will definetly use some of those.
Karen
Chesapeake,Virginia,
U.S.A.
Follow Up comments on assistance provided by other consumers
#6Author of original report
Mon, July 09, 2007
I always send any correspondence Return Receipt Requested, and everyone that knows me, knows when I send a letter out to someone who I feel has done me wrong, I am going to win. I have returning nightmares from other companies before so I always save my records even ten years later. Yes, I should have never called the agent when receiving the letter, I just couldn't believe I was receiving it and I guess I was such shock, I couldn't relax enough to wait, basically because I knew I never had a unpaid disconnected phone balance. Now that I have found the records related to the original vendor "VERIZON", yes I will submit my copies anyway to protect myself, and all I can do is do what I need to do to make sure that this goes away peacefully. I don't really want to be nasty, more like "here ya go...in a few paragraphs show that after many, many letters to straighten it out years ago, I was ignored and ultimately turned over to now four different companies each have been unsuccesful and have given up. The whole case is somewhat complicated, but the paperwork in my file will be my armor. Thanks for the tips. I will definetly use some of those.
Don
Belleville,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Steve is right
#6Consumer Suggestion
Sat, July 07, 2007
The collector does not have details on what the bill was from. If a 3rd party collector is calling about a credit card for example, they see the balance, the chargeoff date, possible the most recent payment, but it is basically a printout. While the collector on an individual basis can not find out that information, when you dispute the account, it is sent back to the client like Verizon to validate.
Just another question. This complaint is about the collection agency not knowing what the details were about and mis advising you about it. Tell me that you have also filed a complaint about Verizon as well. From what you described, Verizon has truly dropped the ball as well. Let people know in the appropriate category about Verizon's mistake too.
Steve
Bradenton,Florida,
U.S.A.
Karen, AFNI are JUNK DEBT BUYERS! They are clueless!
#6Consumer Suggestion
Sat, July 07, 2007
Karen,
First, NEVER call or speak to any collector on the phone. NEVER do this. It can cause big problems if you say the wrong thing. You could affirm the debt and not even know it.
Second, these are JUNK DEBT BUYERS and overall lowlife. They buy these very old, usually uncollectable "debts" for less than a penny on the dollar. The information they get is just a printout usually, or some very incomplete "files". They have no idea what the bill is for. They are only assuming.
Always communicate ONLY in writing and ONLY by certified mail. Be sure to put the certified# on the letter itself, and keep a copy for your records. This proves exactly what you sent.
The statute of limitations in VA is 6 years on anything but a judgement or tax lien, etc. Therefore, this "debt" is NOT legally collectable. They know this already but are hoping you are ignorant of your rights.
Don't even worry about sending your proof of payments, etc. Thats a waste of time.
Simply send them a CEASE COMMUNICATIONS request by the means above and clearly inform them that the "debt" they are attempting to collect is past SOL and is therefore legally uncollectable. Also inform them that as per your rights under the FDCPA all communications hereby cease immediately. Then inform them that any further communications, collection attempts, or negative credit reporting gets them sued.
Be direct. Be nasty. These are bottomfeeding lowlife and assorted crackheads, felons, and general losers.
Have fun with these morons.