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Afni Collections Complaints - These rip-offs must be punished for what they are doing!

Review all Afni Collections complaints

Afni Collections

Posted: 2007-01-10 by Vicki [send email]

These rip-offs must be punished for what they are doing!

Complaint Rating:

I received a collections notice from Afni, Inc., also Afni Collections stating that I owed Verizon Communications a bill for an outrageous amount of $637.25. I only owe Verizon for my current phone service.

Verizon stated that I only owe for my current bill. I have never at anytime ever owed Verizon this amount. If I ever did, I seriously doubt if I would have any type of phone service available to me today.

When I went to their website, it is a fake too! These ripoff con artists need to be stopped and prevented from pulling this with anyone else. Also from causing Verizon a needless bad reputation.

The phone number they are using on the bill they sent to me is not even my correct phone number. These rip-offs need stopped and punished for what they are doing and trying to do!

Comments

United States

Collections Agencies

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Comments

543 days ago by Christy T. [send email]

My mom has also received a collection notice from Afni..it was dated 01/19/07 with the P.O. Box 3427. The amount due was $145.05 and to Verizon Communications. Every time I call the number on the notice, I always get a machine that either says it cannot connect me due to an overload or one that simply keeps asking me to choose between English or Spanish. I am only 17 years old, and my mom does not understand English. I have never had any experience in dealing with this. Can anyone please help me on disputing this claim? I have no clue on what or how to do this.
Thanks!

543 days ago by Diane Scott [send email]
I have received two collection letters from this company today. The only thing is they claim that I own Alltel two different amounts, and that they will settle for a lesser sum, provided that I pay it. I have never in my life had any account with Alltel. How can they do this? What can one do to correct or stop this?

543 days ago by Catlady [send email]

Update to my post on page one posted 1/20/07.

On 1/22/07 I sent out two identical Debt Validation Letters to BOTH addresses found on our notice . I sent them registered mail with return receipt. I included both addresses in the letters I sent so they would know I sent it to both departments. I also wrote the registered mailing numbers right on the letters before I sealed and mailed them. I have yet to receive the receipts back yet. Just for this trouble it's cost me almost $10 in mailing fees for something I don't owe!

Copy of the letter I used can be found at http://www.creditinfocenter.com/forms/sampleletter9.shtml

BTW: my notice did not say not to contact Verizon. I did not call either Verizon or AFNI, I'm not wasting my time calling when only things in writing are legal proof of anything.

Talking about a Class Action suit is well and good, but who is actually going to hire the attorney to get one going? I'm sure there are enough people to get one, but someone has to actually get the ball rolling.

543 days ago by Kim [send email]
About Class Action Lawsuits... We were hit with the same type of letter for a number we never had in an area we haven't lived in over a decade. They ticked us off enough to contact a Consumer Protection Attorney in Illinois for a class action lawsuit. The law states if we win, AFNI has to pay all lawyer fees, plus punitives...if anyone is interested, let me know.

541 days ago by Janet Brooks [send email]

My husband received a letter from this company on Jan 22 (letter dated January 11, 2007). They stated that he owed Verizon $767.46. He has never had a verizon number so he called Afni and after waiting over 45 minutes, he talked to a very rude guy that said it originated from a GTE, and said Verizon got it from them and that they didn't exist anymore. When asked for an original bill he said he didn't have provide it and that he won't and he also said that the burden of proof was on my husband. When asked for a supervisor, he refused. He was extremely rude. I'm worried because they do have my husband's SSN. Any advice is welcome. The PO Box I have for afni is 3427.

541 days ago by John [send email]

I received a collection notice from AFNI too, back in mid January. I just tossed the letter aside knowing it was either a fake or just a desperate attempt to see if anyone is gullible enough to pay for it. This morning I found out that my employer deducted the amount ($173) that AFNI requested! How in the hell did they manage to get my payroll department to give them my money? I am furious--I tried calling the payroll dept but nobody has any answers for the time being--this is just ridiculous.

541 days ago by Claude [send email]

They're trying to stick my for 200 bucks too, i smelled fraud the second i opened the envelope, because i knew i didn't owe it. Glad to have found this board in about five seconds with google. I am sending the registered letters to all the addresses.

But also i went to: https://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/MailFraudComplaint.htm

AND REPORTED THEM FOR MAIL FRAUD! YOU SHOULD ALL DO THIS TOO!!!!!
It's really easy to fill out the form. Sic the postmaster general on these cheap con artists who use mail fraud to pray upon those dumb enough to pay them.

There is a special place in hell for these kind of losers.

540 days ago by Darla Mckee [send email]

Hi, I also received a bill from Afni. I called Verizon as well and they said that they didn't have anything on me. But they also told me that Afni does do their collections. Verizon gave me the number to Afni, which was different than the one list, to see if it was legit. When I called I did have a very long wait, but eventually a person answered. I asked the dates on this, which was for 1994. I also asked the last known address, which was my parents. I was going through a divorce at that time, and that would have been the last forwarding address. Needless to say I paid it, and over the phone on my bank account. They only took out the amount $170.00, and have posted nothing further. So just as a precaution, has everyone looked at where they were at the time of the bills to see if they might be legit? Hopefully I won't get messed over, and will post if anything else is posted against my account. They said I would receive a receipt, but I only paid it 3 days ago so none have arrived yet. I could also log onto their web site and it brought up the account, but no dates. Hope this helps .

540 days ago by Rachel S. [send email]

My boyfriend just received a letter from AFNI too. They said that he owes a large sum of money to Verizon under an account and phone number that never belonged to him. We are not sure what to do. Obviously there are numerous other people being threatened with the same letters.

I found some other complaints on www.ripoffreport.com and someone advised the victims to send a typed validation letter to the company and to ONLY type your name at the bottom (don't sign it)! And they said to keep a copy for yourself as evidence.
Does anyone know if this is a good idea or not? What else should be done to stop it from being put on my boyfriend's credit?

540 days ago by Marcus [send email]

To all those that paid AFNI, I'm sorry for your loss. If you check your credit report you'll see that AFNI has made a soft inquiry of your credit report. To my knowledge, the credit report (for collection of debt purposes) shows past addresses. I called the number found on the AFNI site (after calling the # listed on the letter that was sent to me, interestingly also sent on the 16th) and spoke with a rep that told me the bill was some former phone company at an old address that I lived at for 2 months and was transferred over to Verizon). I told him to go "blank" himself and hung up. Later I got a call from another rep (I did not divulge my number so they must have traced the call) and he said that they made a mistake and gave me another address that was listed as a billing address and asked me if I had lived there. Basically I told him to go "blank" himself, as well. This is an obvious ploy to get your money - Just because they have your address and or previous address doesn't mean you owe them anything!

540 days ago by Sarah Johnson [send email]

Just received one too, well hubby did. It looks just like the bill someone with the jpeg file posted. It is also with Verizon formerly GTE in an amount over $600. Unfortunately I am finding this now after I went to the website and typed in the information. I did call and they have an old address where he used to live it.

But the things that put up red flags for me is they mailed it to my mothers address, which mail for him has NEVER been sent there before. The bill is for a phone number from 12 years ago. He can't remember the phone number BUT the area code they have listed didn't exist in 1995. The area code came into existence in 2002.

So I hope I didn't do any major damage by filling out the info on the website. I can't find out how to file a fraud alert online. I should have searched this out sooner. Did I just jeopardize my hubby's credit?? Help!

I did file a complaint with the FTC and am sending my letter out tomorrow.

539 days ago by Beth Dawson [send email]

Below is an email I sent to any address I could google up... I am encouraging everyone here to do the same, flood the BBB with complaints. Stop them from doing this to someone else... Beth

jimhess@afninet.com,
recoveryteam@afninet.com,
chrisg@afninet.com,
steveschierholz@afninet.com,
amyacree@afninet.com,
verizon.foundation@verizon.com,
john.j.bonomo@verizon.com,
heather.b.wilner@verizon.com,
philip.g.santoro@verizon.com

All,

I have recently been billed by your company for a Verizon account overdue by 10+ years from a town I have never had residence and for a company I have never done business with for the amount of $700.41. After hours of on-hold, I have managed to reach a few of your associates and I have mailed a denial of debt letter with no response by your company as of yet. I have however found out a lot about you in a few seconds of internet searches and doubt your validity at this point at all. I am sure you are full aware of the lack of confidence anyone would have in your company if you simply just Google search AFNI collections.

I am trying to find someone of merit in your company, as is there is none that answers your call center that I can make that statement for. I find it amusing at how little your operators know about what they can and cannot do to a consumer, and/or what the response should be when a consumer calls.

When I identify myself as one having identity theft, by law, regardless of the "belief" of the operator, they in fact are to give me directions to clear the debt. They are not allowed to threaten me, or attempt to convince me that "you know if we find that you know the person, you will pay the debt anyway, why waste your time and mine." actual response by one of your associates, Jason.

Not to mention the fact that you are collecting a debt that is almost 11 years old, and way beyond the statute of limitations for the state of Washington or California and for that matter, Illinois. I am aware that paying a dollar on this debt restarts that limit, and find it insulting at the the "make you a deal" approach of 1/2 or 1/4 of debt... what then you can go for the rest no funny little laws in your way.

I realize that there are those in this world that do not pay their debts, and I am not going to pretend to be perfect... but I am looking to join with the hundreds of people leaving their stories on the message boards and bring a class action against your company, at the very least a barrage of complaints through the BBB.

I am sending this to anyone with the afninet.com email extension and would appreciate 1 person with a soul, that is not interested merely in their bonus but realizes that you are dealing with people, and their lives and not always are we so unworthy of your respect. Please, if this is you.. contact me

It is my extreme displeasure to do business with you,

Beth Dawson

P.S. I recommend the following links for your education. I am also emailing Verizon accounts, so they can see their name drug through the mud. I have never been a customer of Verizon and because of this experience... I never will.

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/afni-collections-c3894.html

539 days ago by Beth Dawson [send email]

I just got off the phone with Trans union, there has been no report to my credit agencies as of yet.. she recommends that if you have nothing on your report, put on a monitoring service so you can dispute it once it does. Mine is way beyond statute of limitations 10+ years and the time starts from last payment made.. .so if there has been no payment made and they note your report a dispute will remove it due to it being past date. DO NOT PAY if it is not your debt, do not fall for the pay half or good faith money... that is considered activity and new start for the statute. Protect yourself and bring them down!! good luck!

Beth

539 days ago by Catlady [send email]

Update to my two previous posts on page one and page 3.

I've received both return receipts back from my registered mail letters I sent to Afni. One was received at the Bloomington address on the 25th, it was stamped not signed and marked that whoever stamped it had authorization to do so. The second one was received at the CA. address on the 26th, it was actually signed but almost illegibly, all I can make out on the printed portion is the guy's name is Caleb.

So now I'm waiting 30 days from the receipt dates for some type of response from them. I gave them 30 days to produce proof of validation.

I have not yet gotten a copy of my credit report yet. I am allowed 1 free copy every 12 months, and the middle of Feb. is when I'm next eligible to get one. I hadn't thought to just call them. I may try that though. I do have the copies of last year's reports and nothing from either Afni or Verizon show up on it. I'm told that keeping copies of old reports is beneficial should Afni have the nerve to pursue it in court.

I am saddened at those that have actually paid these people. Not only are you out your money, but it's that kind of response that causes them to continue this practice of sending out leagally uncollectable, or outright fraudulent notices. If you pay or agree to pay even so much as $1 it legally renews the statue of limitations again.

Afni is a buyer of 'junk debts'. They buy previously written off and noncollectable debts (sometimes just plain making stuff up also it appears) for just pennies on the dollar.

Say Verizon has a legit but legally noncollectable bill for $200, they write it off on their taxes after say 7 years, Afni comes along offering to pay them $5 for the bill, Verizon of course takes it because they've already written it off and here's some company offering them money for it, so Afni spends say $5 in postage/ink/paper etc to send it out.

Out of say every 20 they send out, they get 2 poor suckers to pay an noncollectable bill, with extra fees of course tacked on to it, so they've spent a total of $200 buying and sending them off to 20 people, 2 people pay, thus giving Afni a profit of $200.

Of course we know that many of these bills are much higher than $200, and I'm sure many people just pay it either out of fear or not knowing their rights and the law. A great money making scam? You bet!

I'll keep you updated on whether or not we hear anymore from Afni.

538 days ago by Wilma Hensley [send email]

Hey I guess we're doing good, we got 2 letters!!! We owe to Cingular! One says we owe $505.78 the other $564.01, but they are willing to settle for only $534.90 for both!!! WOW what a deal! Just $534.90 for a bill I have no idea where it came from, I'll stick that check right in the mail!! YEAH RIGHT! I'm sorry but they will have to give me a little more info before I send them money on an account that I have NEVER had! I will report this to all the necessary agencies as well and hope we can put a stop to this before they take money from others!

538 days ago by Beth Dawson [send email]

To all:

I posted a letter earlier that I mailed to the names listed... and guess what there was a wonderful person in AFNI, head of collections I believe... that actually researched my claim and found that I in fact was not the account holder and has closed the account and released my liability. I would only recommend the above if it truly is not your account and they cannot trace it back to you, as was in my case. She is also sending me copies of the actual bill from GTE/Verizon, close out I believe for my records. I have already filed complaints with BBB, FTC and Mail fraud... as I believe it is the responsibility of the company to ensure whomever is answering the call on their behalf is doing so withing the boundaries that have been set... But thought I should at least comment on a soul that works for them and let others know that she exists... Good luck and will update as needed.

Beth

538 days ago by Beth Dawson [send email]
I forgot to mention that even if it is your bill, check the statute and DO NOT PAY... if it is out of time, then even if they note your credit report, you can dispute. http://www.cardreport.com/laws/statute-of-limitations.html