Complaint Review: AFNI Collection Agency - Bloomington Illinois

Gordon, You suffered real damages here. They need to pay. Sue them now. They only get away with this crap because not enough people hold them accountable.

After considerable work, AFNI finally agreed that it was not my account. Of course, they destroyed my credit - what was a 750 Credit Score is now 676. They said they sent me a letter on the 22nd of November and withdrew it from the 3 bureaus on the 27th of November. Never received the letter, although when I called them on 01 December, one person was kind enough to send me a fax dated that day saying that the collection was "closed". I will also state that one lady who works there, was helpfull in getting this mess cleaned up. The entry has since been removed from the 3 credit reporting bureaus - checked today. Finally - this mess is over - except that my credit score was lowered by 75 points. I am still debating on whether to take legal action or not. I have not decided yet.

Just found out, that all 3 Credit Agencies now list this information. I have disputed it with all 3. Now! I see they entered this information to the Credit Bureaus AFTER I provided the proof and letter from my Police Agency Employer. I know this because I pulled my credit files from all 3 upon receipt of the the first letter - nothing there. Entries tell me the date they were entered.

You're a Cop, have them arrested for extortion/attempted extorsion, then they have to defend themselves, not you trying to prove them wrong. Good Luck

Gordon, First of all, Cellular One is in no way involved here. Original creditors very rarely collect on an account in house for more than a year, and usually only 6-7 months until it is charged off. AFNI are JUNK DEBT BUYERS. They buy very old legally uncollectable accounts such as these for far less than a penny on the dollar. Most of these accounts have little or no documentation and everyone with the same or similar name is getting the same letter. That is why you never communicate with them other than upon first contact send your CEASE COMMUNICATIONS request as per your rights under the FDCPA, and on the second contact just file your lawsuit. Also, keep in mind that having an unlisted number does not protect you if you use that unlisted phone to call any 800,888,877,866 toll free number. They have a system in place similar to the 911 caller identification system that can get your full name and address even on your unlisted number if you call them. They pay for this service. The good news is that the alleged account is past the statute of limitations for legal collections. The entry on your credit report for a time barred debt is illegal and entitles you to compensation under the guidelines of the FCRA and the FDCPA which you can read at the FTC.gov website, and you can file your complaint for the illegal collections practices and abuses you have endured. Hint: File a separate complaint for each violation of your rights as enforcement is done based on number of complaints recieved. STAY OFF THE PHONE!! Never speak to any debt collector on the phone! It will NEVER do anything positive for you, and will almost always make things worse. When sending your certified mail, return reciept requested, be sure to put the cerified# on the letter itself, and keep a copy for your records. This procedure is very important, should this go to court. I hope this helps.