Afni review: Fraudulent 11 year old verizon bill! 113

Iam sending you this email iam disputed the collection that you all say i owe i never lived at 468 s. grant ave marshall mo in 2003 i in enither 2005 or 2006 but not prior to that and my ex boyfreind name was jon barnard and he kick me out and kept everthing of mine. so i feel that this bill is in error and i never filed for chapter 7 bankrupcy in my life i know that a person has to go to court for that and i didint here is the account #[protected]-02 i feel i should have this taken off my credit report or the option i have is to see a lawyer and see about sueing you and the cingular for sum amount for around $25million dollares and that would for cingular and then sueing you all for the amount of 60 million dollares since you all messed up my credit report i cant even get a loan or anything so iam not saying no more i spoke my option to you all on the phone and in this email thank you

Our son received a notice from Afni, sent to our address. He dosen't live here and has his home in another City. He got the same run around when he contacted Afni. We told him not to pay until I can check this out. Thank you all for your information and help with the legalities.

Hey everybody, for those of you who are being harrassed! by Afni.inc the state of limitations for cell phones is 2 years! if you look a the BBB web site there are tons of complaints against them. if you want more help, search legal action agaisnt debt collectors and look for the one that says free consult they get yer email and there is tons of help to fight against these types of people. they are trying to get me for 44.52 from 8 years ago...total crap.

I japed them just to see what they'd do. I got someone to call and say that a certain cell phone was getting calls from them. This person said it was their phone, what was going on.

Afni is so secure! They proceeded to tell this person all sorts of things about the real owner of the phone! Talk about invasion of privacy! Talk about potential for identity theft and other wild stuff!

Afni, when confronted, denied all. Then the guy got the recording played to him over the phone.

EPIC FAIL AFNI.

Some A-Hole called me on the phone extremely rude said i owed 98.00 Then he went on and on and on. I could not get this guy to shut up. Now understand i asked him if i could pay by debit right after i realized i did have a verizon line in college back in 2001. So the guy continued to be rude and talk rude i asked him to please transfer me to someone else like a manager that i could talk to and i would be glad to pay this bill. I mean it was 100$ dolllars. And i honestly dont know if i ever paid the last bill but i did not want this on my CR. So anyway he continues his rant on how he is the boss and theres noone else to talk to and refused to accept my payment and hung up on me! LOL. Mind you it was 10:30 am in a busy office by this time everyone was listening to my conversation cause i put this guy on speaker phone. No one in my office could beleive the odacity of this company! So here i am because sure enough i have 1 bad bill on my CR and its AFNI for VERIZON!
GOOD GREIF!

Same thing happened to me. i never had a t mobile account some maybe someone opened one fraudulently. T Mobile told m ethere was an acct about 7 yrs ago but couldn't tell me how or exactly when it was opened. i have never received any bills from t mobile, then bang a collections letter from AFNI.

I reported to the slc police dept and the attorney generals in IL and UT. I also reported T Mobile and AFNI to BBB. I fully intend to sue them if this hits my credit report negatively.

Question for everyone on here. I never received anything from anybody. I checked my credit report and seen it on my credit report for 2008 for a telephone bill. I want to know what can I do about this because I have been oversea with the military since May 2006. Have not been back to the states since then.

What can I do about this? It shows that the account was opened in 2008.

My 17 year old daughter received one from them a couple of months ago.
It was from the year 2000...she would have been nine years old! It was from a city we lived in for two years. I tried to explain to them she would not have been of legal age to even request phone service. The rude woman on the phone asked me if I could have opened it in her name, insinuating ID fraud. I told we, her parents had phone service for those two years with GTE in our own name, in that same city and I still remember the phone number. She would talk over me, arguing that I had to prove we didn't do it and she would still be liable. I got so frustrated I hung up on her. Just today she (daughter) gets another letter. She will be graduating from high school this summer & she has unknown debt...I sure hope it doesn't show up on a credit report.

I received a notice from Afni a little over a month or two ago and did nothing to dispute it, knowing that the information they provided was several years old and that there was no record of an outstanding debt or collections claim on my credit report. I recently received a second notice offering to settle the debt for half the sum. Although the notices they sent appeared to be well crafted and legitimate, something about it just didn't seem quite right. Being that it was just over $100 I figured to hell with it, I'll just pay it. I questioned whether it would be better to pay with credit card or check and realized there was no "Make checks payable to..." statement anywhere on the form. Something seemed a bit fishy about that and I am very hesitant to pay with credit car for anything, and a little voice in my head told me to check it out online. I'm so glad that I did!

I was sent a letter saying I owe them $400. I have NEVER had a phone with Verizon. I just turned 18 and I went directly to sprint. They are saying my phone number is from an area code I lived at when I was 9. Wel... Im sure Verizon wouldn't let me get a phone at 9 years old. So what is everyone doing about this? This is ridiculous. I am not paying 400 dollars for something I never had. And since I just turned 18, how are they going to try to say I had a phone at 9 years old?

I have received a letter from AFNI regarding Refer.Acct # [protected]-02.This is not my bill, i never had an account or ever had service from T-MOBILE as they stated in this letter. I tried many times calling this AFNI collection company, but they keep you on hold for ever. Any tip to resolve this scam for once?

Judd S

I just got a bill from AFNI today has well. It says I owe $117.21, but if I pay today I can settle the account for $29.30... How do companies like this continue to get away with all this crap? I NEVER had an acct from them plus I check my credit montly so I know nothing posting from them...

Let's do something!

Just got a bill from AFNI today has well. It says I owe 1377.12, but if I pay today I can settle the account for 344.12... How do companies like this continue to get away with all this crap? I did not have or ever lived in California where this account is, plus I also check my credit often and nothing appears... I talked to verizon and this is NOT in there system.. THis is a FRAUD... I will call them next to see what they say...

I just recieved a dilinquency Settlement offer from AFNI Inc. and I know I don't have verizon. They want me to pay Half of a $55.95 dollar bill and the bill will reflect paid in full. This is crap.
Jeanell from Tampa FL>

I received a collection bill from Afni, Inc. today, 3/31/2009 indicating that I owe Verizon USD411.55. Last year, 2008, I signed up for Verizon DSL Internet Service only and never had a problem when I signed-up with Verizon. I'm certain that I don't owe from Verizon. I WILL GO TO THE DEPT. OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THIS IS FRAUD! SINCE AFNI, INC. IS USING VERIZON'S NAME, VERIZON SHOULD ALSO TAKE ACTION REGARDING THIS ISSUE.

Does anyone ever report them to the USPS for mail fraud?

Just a suggestion.

Ok I just got of the phone with a Verizon rep and she told me that this company is reputable. Also her Supv. told me that they normally only deal with companies that are reputable, but nowadays you never know so it's good to do your research. On another note I recvd a bill from Afni also saying I owed Verizon about $300 WHICH I knew because I got this line for my sister 9 years ago, and she was suppose to take over the bill after 3 months. I called Verizon and made the switch but it appears the billed name never changed just the usersname... So ok a verizon rep made a mistake and now this bill is on my credit...

I went ahead an paid the settlement offer online so I could have verification that this bill was paid so it will clear from my credit. Now that Afni have their money I haven't recvd the verification letter saying it was paid. After reading all the bad reviews a minute ago it left a sour tasted in my mouth, but I called them thinking it was going to be horrible but it wasn't. I spoke with a gentlemen that threw me off by answering "How my I help you" instead of the companies name. I asked him about the letter and he told me it was sent in the mail 2 days ago, but I can also retrieve online off their website which I did.

So comments and reviews are helpful but it's always good to find out on your own!

M Thomas - Great letter!...but one other thing that needs to be included in this letter is the line...

"Prove the Statute of Limitations has not expired on this account "

It should be around number 3 or so in the order shown...

(1) the amount of the debt;
(2) the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;
(3) Provide a verification or copy of any judgment (if applicable);
(4) Proof that you are licensed to collect debts in (insert name of your state)

This is important as with my recent receipt from AFNI, this is an account that is over 7 years old. Our SOL is 3 or 6 years. They cannot collect on this account unless they use their scare tactics to get someone to send money which would update the last date of payment and then start the process all over again. Even though this bill isn't ours...LONG STORY...but our states SOL is 3 or 6 years depending on type of debt. Not quite sure if phone bills are classified as open ended accounts or other, but if so, the SOL in our state is only 3 years.

Hope it helps.

Folks...check your Statute of limitation for your state. They cannot collect on old bills past the SOL, unless you are stupid enough to send them funds which updates the time frame and starts the clock over again for collection. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! Each state is different and these OLD bills are simply BS to scare you into sending money as with every other scam of the era. Once you send money, you start the clock all over again and they can collect on the debt.

Check here for your state on SOL's

http://www.creditinfocenter.com/rebuild/statuteLimitations.shtml

PAY YOUR FKN BILL!

Pay your fkn bill

To whom it may concern: I've been receiving collections notices from Afni alleging that I did not pay $194.13 in 1998 for the phone # in service since then. I've never been asked by Verizon of such dabt at all during the last 11 years.

By the way, on 2/25/2009 they sent me another notice, this time a so called "SETTLEMENT OFFER" asking me to pay half of 'the dabt' which is $97.13 by Visa, MasterCard or debit card using my SS card.
So who are these people asking to pay them for nothing and where did the get that kind of amount? Is there any public agency to which we can address our complaints and stop this kind of harassment? It is just sickening.

T. Abayre

Maybe Anthony would like to pay bogus bills! When bills are not owed, there is no reason to pay them! So if you'd like to pay Afni for bills that aren't owed, go for it!

T. Abayre - send them a cease and desist letter via the mail and return receipt. It's the only way you can make them stop unless they are calling more than 1 time per week. They can be sued for harassment in small claims court and you can actually be awarded $1000 per incident. Check the FCRA and other laws regarding this behavior.

When we receive junk mail of this type normally it goes from the mailbox into the trash can before it makes it into the house.
This one was addressed to my sister-in-law, however, so I let her open it.
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How this 'Afni' scam-artists tracked my sister-in-law to my address is beyond me. She does reside here but, has no bills or debts.
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Afni, sent her a notice of a past Verizon South bill for $134.34 - However, they are eager to accept $50.00 and call it paid-in-full!
I have a bit of news for you Afni, she never had a Verizon South account.
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I did get a chuckle while reading the "Discounted Payment Offer" though. It was 4 paragraphs of where and how to supply them with credit card information, but Not one word on filing a dispute or any other federally required customer service information.
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Thank God, we watched the "24 Hours" television program when they ran the episode about these crack-heads who, for a few dollars apply for a "Collection Agent" license.
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Afni, Inc. you prey off the unsuspecting and naive... I say, "Burn in Hell".

The statute of limitations for most bills in most states is 6 years. That is 6 years from the last payment made. So even if you paid your phone bill in 1999 they can no longer make you pay. If they try to take you to court all you have to do is show that the statute of limitations has passed and the judge will dismiss it. I AFNI Inc a letter of dispute and actually received an apology letter from them. I felt quite vindicated!

Here is form letter than works quite well. I received an apology letter from AFNI Inc after sending them this letter. Just replace the generic info with yours and send it via registered mail. That way they cannot dispute getting the letter.

Here it is.

Date

Your Name
Your address
City, Zip

Afni, Inc.
404 Brock Drive
PO Box 3427
Bloomington, IL [protected]

Date

Re: Acct # Account number listed

To Whom It May Concern:

This letter is being sent to you in response to a notice sent to me on 12.06.2008. Be advised that this is not a refusal to pay, but a notice sent pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 USC 1692g Sec. 809 (b) that your claim is disputed and validation is requested.

This is NOT a request for “verification” or proof of my mailing address, but a request for VALIDATION made pursuant to the above named Title and Section. I respectfully request that your offices provide me with competent evidence that I have any legal obligation to pay you.

Please provide me with the following:

What the money you say I owe is for;
Explain and show me how you calculated what you say I owe;
Provide me with copies of any papers that show I agreed to pay what you say I owe;
Provide a verification or copy of any judgment if applicable;
Identify the original creditor;
Prove the Statute of Limitations has not expired on this account
Show me that you are licensed to collect in my state
Provide me with your license numbers and Registered Agent

At this time I will also inform you that if your offices have reported invalidated information to any of the 3 major Credit Bureau’s (Equifax, Experian or TransUnion) this action might constitute fraud under both Federal and State Laws. Due to this fact, if any negative mark is found on any of my credit reports by your company or the company that you represent I will not hesitate in bringing legal action against you for the following:

Violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act
Violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
Defamation of Character

If your offices are able to provide the proper documentation as requested in the following Declaration, I will require at least 30 days to investigate this information and during such time all collection activity must cease and desist.

Also during this validation period, if any action is taken which could be considered detrimental to any of my credit reports, I will consult with my legal counsel for suit. This includes any listing any information to a credit reporting repository that could be inaccurate or invalidated or verifying an account as accurate when in fact there is no provided proof that it is.

If your offices fail to respond to this validation request within 30 days from the date of your receipt, all references to this account must be deleted and completely removed from my credit file and a copy of such deletion request shall be sent to me immediately.

I would also like to request, in writing, that no telephone contact be made by your offices to my home or to my place of employment. If your offices attempt telephone communication with me, including but not limited to computer generated calls and calls or correspondence sent to or with any third parties, it will be considered harassment and I will have no choice but to file suit. All future communications with me MUST be done in writing and sent to the address noted in this letter by USPS.

It would be advisable that you assure that your records are in order before I am forced to take legal action. This is an attempt to correct your records, any information obtained shall be used for that purpose.

Best Regards,

____________________
Your name

I had a two-year contract w/ verizon from 1998 to 2000. I used the phone only for business purposes and never went over my allotted minutes. After two years, I chose get a new phone and new service provider. 3 months after my contract expired I got a notice from Verizon saying I owed them roughly $60. I immediately called them and we came to an agreement that the charge was in error - apparently they did not know I did not want to extend my contract. The employee apologized for the error and told me to disregard the notice. Case closed, right? Fast forward 11 years...yes, 11 years. I still live in the same home (which I own)where my bills from 11 years ago were sent. My parents, who have since moved to South Caroline (I live in Ohio)just started getting notices and phone calls that I owe verizon $379.79! I live in the same house and have the same phone number I had 11 years ago! My wife and I both have credit scores above 800 and have never missed or even been late on any payments for anything in our lives! I am absolutely furious right now, and have yet to decide what I am going to do about this. I will never do business w/ Verizon again, and will discourage anyone else as well.

i just received a phonebill from AFNI saying i owe $431.17 in 2007 in the area code of 915 which is el paso..well 1st of i was deploy to iraq from feb 2007 til july 2008 and i know for sure alltel and verizon dont have any service there..and when i try calling them today (2mar2011)they hung up on me for trying to explain where i was in that point of time. this really heat me up i want to sue this mathafuc***s..any suggestions?

Ive received my second notice from Afni. The first one raised my suspicions. I do owe Verison $1261.43 from 2007 but all Afni wants is $100! As good as that sounds, I hesitate to mail it to them and then receive more collection letters from other collection agents. I would call Verizon but I dont have any money to pay it back anyway, Iv been unemployed for the 3 years. Almost all of what I owe is not from actual usage of their phone, they were turned off after 2 months of non payment and the rest is the BS charges. Actually I have received letters demanding around $600 from another collection agendy before I got the first one from Afni. I will try to pay that one if I ever get another job but Im not giving Afni one penny.

For debts that fall outside of statutue of limitations just send the collector a "Cease & Desist Demand". If you google the phrase you will find sample letters which you can add your infromation and send it via certified mail and return receipt requested. After sending a Cease & Desist Letter, if the collector contacts you to collect again then you can sue them for $1000 for each incident.

Each state has a different statute of limitation for collection of debt through civil action. Generally, it varies from 4 to 6 years. A collector can sue you to collect an old debt in court, but you can raise the defense of lack of jurisdiction of the court to hear the case if the statute of limitations on the debt is expired.

Definitely consult with an attorney specializing in collection matters. Good luck.

I also received something from them that was an old no good bill. I sent them a very good letter and actually got an apology letter from them asking permission to take up to 30 days to remove any marks on my credit. It was a great victory. E-mail me @ ddriggs@gmail.com with the subject, "Afni" and I'll send you the letter. It can be used as a form letter where you just put in your relevant information and send it to them via registered mail.

I have tried to call Afni, Inc and they say they can not take my call at this tI'me but when they can they will? wtf... they say i owe them 557.00$ and i have no idea why or how i owe them this money I'm 22 yrs old never had a credit card, and have never been with a phone company can someone please tell me how else i can get this resolved or even get ahold of this company