September 4th, 2010 
Constance B asked:
I have recently obtained my Annual Credit Report from the Big three Credit Bureaus. This is a similar question to that posted a few days ago by another user. My credit report shows no deliquent accounts except for one from a Collection Agency called AFNI. It being placed on the account in 2007. They say I owe money to Verizon. I was doing business with Verizon until 1/2008, and Verizon said I don’t owe them any money and that AFNI does not do their collections. I have reported this to Attorney Generals Offices, Disputed it with credit bureaus and have written to AFNI, Registered mail. They send me back a form to do an identity theft investigation/dispute. After some research, I found out AFNI buys junk debts. That this is probably a re-aged debt which they legally cannot make me pay and that it was from most likely an old Bell Atlantic account.We have our phone reciepts from the past 7 or 8 years so if was ours it is older than that. What would you do to get them to back off?
Verizon themselves were nice enough to give me the name and address and phone number of the company who does do their collections (CBE Group) and I was nice enough to inform AFNI that I did have that information. I also have a statement from Verizon stating that my account was closed 01/09/2008 with an outstanding balance of $0.00 and that we had service with them from 2005 to 2008. AFNI only has an account number that they (AFNI) made up. I told them, you send me a BILL stating that I owe what it is you say I do from the original creditor, that is not more than five years old (statute of limitations on utilities in almost every state, it is 4 years in some) and get Verizon to tell you in writing I owe it. You can’t and won’t, and if you don’t remove it I bring you to court. How do they get away with that crap?!!
Claudia
I have recently obtained my Annual Credit Report from the Big three Credit Bureaus. This is a similar question to that posted a few days ago by another user. My credit report shows no deliquent accounts except for one from a Collection Agency called AFNI. It being placed on the account in 2007. They say I owe money to Verizon. I was doing business with Verizon until 1/2008, and Verizon said I don’t owe them any money and that AFNI does not do their collections. I have reported this to Attorney Generals Offices, Disputed it with credit bureaus and have written to AFNI, Registered mail. They send me back a form to do an identity theft investigation/dispute. After some research, I found out AFNI buys junk debts. That this is probably a re-aged debt which they legally cannot make me pay and that it was from most likely an old Bell Atlantic account.We have our phone reciepts from the past 7 or 8 years so if was ours it is older than that. What would you do to get them to back off?
Verizon themselves were nice enough to give me the name and address and phone number of the company who does do their collections (CBE Group) and I was nice enough to inform AFNI that I did have that information. I also have a statement from Verizon stating that my account was closed 01/09/2008 with an outstanding balance of $0.00 and that we had service with them from 2005 to 2008. AFNI only has an account number that they (AFNI) made up. I told them, you send me a BILL stating that I owe what it is you say I do from the original creditor, that is not more than five years old (statute of limitations on utilities in almost every state, it is 4 years in some) and get Verizon to tell you in writing I owe it. You can’t and won’t, and if you don’t remove it I bring you to court. How do they get away with that crap?!!
Claudia
Posted in 
Tags:
Gregory
keep on telling them you will not pay because at anypoint if you tell them that you will think about or are going to make a payment they can use that against you by recording and your old charged off account can reopen and that is a way of you admitting you owe it!just say I do not owe yo anything and i will not pay have a nice day!!
Jennifer
Hmm, you say Verizon said AFNI doesn’t do their accounts. Did you get that in writing? If not, try doing that and sending to the three agencies AND also the AG’s office as this is a shady trick they’re pulling–apparently just trying to force you to shell out some money to them by dinging your report.
As you’ve apparently got good records, also consider contacting the media if you don’t get decent results soon.
Good luck!
Melvin
I’ll challenge them.
To the best of my knowledge these agencies have been acting out side the legal boundaries. Unless they have a judgment against some one from a court of law, they should be refrained from their usual high pressure demands.
Julie
Contact UCAN (United Consumer Advocacy Network)
They can help you with handeling creditor phone calls and harassment…
(877)462-8226
(877)Go2-UCAN
FAX (866)845-8226
E-MAIL
Web site address
good luck
Yolanda
you have taken all the right steps–so make a copy of everything–contact all three cb again and tell them the situation again-get their mailing address and send them every single copy–when the company contacts you or vice versa–tell them you have reported them to the AG and send them copies of everything–have Verizon send you a letter stating you do not owe them money–when I say copies of everything, I mean everything–from the last 7-8 yrs–it will be a long and hard battle–keep everything-because if you apply for credit and they cite this AFNI as reason, you can have proof of it all and that it is probably id theft
Grace
The only thing I can think of that would make this valid is if you got a phone for someone else in your name. An old boyfriend family member ect. If this IS the case and they didn’t or couldn’t pay the bill then you are responsible. If this isn’t the case keep on doing what you are doing certify everything you send in the mail and keep everything. If verizon is willing to send you a letter stating you don’t owe any money then that will help your cause. Just remember if the statute of limitations is up don’t pay anything to them not even a “good faith” payment. This will seemingly acknowledge that this is your debt and allow them to legally report it and attempt to collect from you. If this is an old junk debt that you never paid anything on you shouldn’t have even had it put on your report. Research everything amount they claim you owe date the account was reported date it was allegedly closed ect. Be vigilant and you will get it off. Good Luck!
Dorothy
It looks like you have done all your homework. I would not bother with AFNI anymore but just keep the pressure on the 3 credit bureaus’ themselves. Unfortuneately it is going to take time. Don’t give up just keep “hounding” the credit bureaus’
Arlene
Just play their game and call them every 20 minutes stating you’re waiting for a call back.
Mario
i’m going with stan c. do it do it.