AFNI,Suspicious Practices Bloomington Illinois
My husband and I of 11 months and 3 days are trying to purchase our first home and hoped to be in this new house before our Christmas. While reviewing his credit file back in August, I found a $330.00 Sprint bill in collections. Hubby could not recall anything about it so I called AFNI and started asking questions about the original debt. I actually spoke to a young woman who was very friendly and she let me know that they were willing to settle on the account (we would only need to pay the early termination fee). I let her know that my husband isn't even sure that this was his.
When I realized that the account was almost 7 years old I decided to wait a month and let it drop off. When it aged I wrote all 3 bureaus asking they remove the aged account - Experian deleted it right away. When TransUnion and Equifax confirmed that it was not aged, I wrote AFNI asking for copies of the original statements so I can confirm the date of first delinquency myself. TranUnion immediately deleted the debt but Equifax would not budge.
That's when I became extremely suspicious about the validity of this debt. I simply asked for a statement (which I have yet to receive or any other bill or communication from AFNI whatsoever). I wrote my final dispute letters last week to AFNI and Equifax by certified mail using the advice many of you have offered (including asking Equifax to produce copies of whatever communication written or verbal that lead to validation).
If I don't have those statements and/or if the account is not removed, I will be filing an official complaint with the IL District Attorney's office, the FTC, and any other association I find that AFNI is tied to. It is the consumers right to receive that documentation if requested.
I just want to encourage everyone in similar situations to fight this matter diligently. Don't cave in, give up, or give out. Hundreds of others ARE paying and keeping this company in business. Don't be one of them. If you KNOW you don't owe - fight!
For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Psalm 1:6
Be blessed and I will pray that you have success in this matter.
Prayer Warrior
Gaston, South Carolina
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Chrisride
CHARLESTON,South Carolina,
U.S.A.
I am having the same problem with AFNI in SC
#2Consumer Comment
Mon, November 12, 2007
i have a similar problem with AFNI. They have put someone else's collection account in on my credit report. It has dropped my credit score 100 points.
I have reported them to FTC, BBB, Ill. Att. Generals office, comsumer complaints office of SC. I disputed with the 3 CRA's and Equifax after first verifying that the debt was mine, changed their mind and finally deleted the negative account but Experian and Transunion still are showing it but noted that consumer disputes charge. It has been a 3 month nightmare!
i am still fighting to get my credit restored. AFNI says the debt is validated as mine. But it is for someone with the same first name as mine but different last name and they live in a different town in SC. All AFNI is interested in is getting more personal information from me when i call. I have sent certified validation letter to AFNI and never heard back from them. Only the BBB and Attorney Generals office responded back that AFNI had confirmed the debt of 191.00 for Charter Cable was validated as mine. NO WAY! AFNI cannot prove i owe this debt!
any suggestions?