On 9/14/07 AFNI states that they were given a bill to collect on from Verizon for Home Telephone Service in Florida that has been unpaid since May of 2007. Funny, my Verizon *cell phone* did not get turned off for the 3 years that I had it following this supposedly delinquent debt. This bill was supposedly exactly one month in duration (no more, no less) and was for a total of $80.82 (though their online database driven website said $80.81? Pretty bad record keeping, or perhaps FRAUD?)

The problem with their assertion is that though I did physically stay at the address in question for a brief period, around the time they say I racked up this bill, I was not living in Florida, nor would I have any use or need for a home phone, as I was visiting Florida and staying with an acquaintance of a friend, and still had my North Dakota cell phone with unlimited roaming (no charge!).

They claim that I had Florida residency at this address (false) and that I opened an account with Verizon for a home phone for exactly one month (also false). They then tell me that this will be reported on my credit history if I don't pay within 24 hours. They then said that if I paid them only $50 within the next 24 hours, they would not report this onto my credit, and then proceed to say that they cannot give me any written guarantee of this fact. I began to really get suspicious of this whole thing, as I knew that I hadn't had a home phone number since 1998! Why would I, with a good nation wide free roaming cell phone plan?

I searched the site, saw it's horrific BBB rating, and contacted the FTC. Turns out they have received numerous complaints about this fraudulent collections efforts. Everyone needs to go to www.consumer.gov/idtheft and download "Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft". Print out the ID Theft Affidavit, fill it out, get it notarized, and mail it to AFNI certified mail. Also, call the FTC: 1-877-438-4338 (Option 4) and report the "identity theft" which caused the fraudulent account to be opened... AFNI most likely opened the fraudulent account themselves just so they could collect on it!

Don't give in! Don't give them a cent of your money! Fight back for your rights!

I just got a notice from Afni for an account I am sure was paid but have no records since it goes back to 1996!! Its only for $32.22 but its the other stories here that have shocked me, I have never seen this amount appear on my credit report , I check frequently and have bought two homes since this so called 'debt'. Isn't there a statute of limitations in California anyway (4 years??) so they cant report it to a credit agency since this has clearly expired?

Beware!

I received a letter in the mail in July '07 stating that I owe over $600 to Verizon New York Inc. I immediately called the company and was told that the bill was from 1996-1997 at a location that I am not familiar with hundreds of miles away from where I was living. I explained all of this to the representative "Rachel" and advised her that paying was not even an option. I had phone service where I was living during that time and was working for one of the companies that ultimately became Verizon. She listened and told me to fill out a form on their website.

I had a very uneasy feeling about the company so I started filling it out but then I canceled the entire fraudulent claim and advised her to send me the fraud claim package in the mail. She quickly advised that I had another claim for about $64. I am totally confident that wasn't the case but I listened to her and paid the $64 because it wasn't worth haggling over.

I try to maintain an impeccable credit history over the years, so needless to say I was livid about this mess. I worked for Verizon for quite a few years, had Verizon landline service for many years and have had their wireless service for many years. There is no way on this earth that they would allow me to have service with them if I owed them that money.

Thanks to all who complained about this company. I now know my next steps. I will definitely contact an attorney for assistance.

Something is not quite right with this company.

I received this collection notice from AFNI collections on the 23 of July 07. For the amount of $34.97. Original creditor Alltel. I call the company with the number that was posted. To pay the bill. They tell me it was from 98/99, and that was all the info they had on it. I laughed at the lady on the phone and gave her nothing. I came in the U.S. Military in early 1998. Straight out of high school. I had no job or credit. I never had anything to do with alltel in 1998 or 1999.

This is where things get good. I was living in Virginia there was no Alltel in 1998. There was a 360 phone company on post (Ft. Eustis) which I think got bought out by Alltel or switched names. When I do not know. Why I don't know is because, once i got finished with basic training and school (which at that time we were not allowed to have any type of electronic devices). I left towards the end of 1998 and got stationed in Germany. There is no Alltel in Germany. I am a 110% sure of that. I was living in Germany for 3 years. I then left Germany and got stationed in Ft. Eustis Virginia again. That is when I got my first cell phone. Guess where I got my contract through? Yup! Alltel in 2002. The only cell phone company I have ever went through. I had no problems going through this company. They never mentioned a pass due bill. Never had me in the system before. Nothing about 1998/99. I was with them until 2004. July to be exact. That was when I went back to Germany. I have been here ever since. And yes it was mailed to me here with my German address on it.

I check my credit report once a month (that is the truth). I have been doing it for years. There is nothing on it that says anything about this bill. Of course it is not pass the 30 days that it is dated, but do to the many complaints that I have found on this company doing internet searches. I will wait it out and check my credit report on the 1st and see where I stand. Be for I dispute it. In the mean time I will bring this up to the Military Legal department here to see what kind of advice they give me.

I called this company and spoke to Molly who was very pleasant and said the account would be reviewed and someone would call me back in 30 days. Today I called back and spoke to SUE badge # 1033991 who should be a prison matron for her lack of manners. Scolding me and trying to con me into making a payment, for what you may ask? I lived in VA for 6 weeks and 5 years later they send me a bill for $100.

I know this bill was paid and there are no collections on my credit report which I check monthly. If it was real why did it take them 5 years to find me at the address I spent the first 25 years of my life? Plus it was sent in my maiden name which has legally been changed for 4 years!

Someone needs to stop this company from making bogus accusations and giving hard working people agida for debts that are paid.