I received a collection notice from these scumbags, Afni Collections, saying i owed $58.81 for a verizon phone bill. I have never even had a verizon phone!!! they are obviously scam artists who just bill anybody and everybody and hope that there are enough saps to just pay it with no questions asked. Burn in Hell Afni!

Just got my notice on Friday 08/05/07 from AFNI about a Verizon bill ($477.67) from an address I never lived at at, at a time (1992-1994) when I lived across the country from the address. I tried to explain the situation, and of course they told me they would report it to the credit bureaus when I asked about statute of limitations (it is a contract you have with the phone company) they lied and said there was none. My brother the lawyer then got back in town and told me to cancel the charge until they can prove the bill is mine. Statute of limitations is also either 3 or 4 years, not 13! He said to ask for a copy of a signed contract between myself and Verizon, and copies of invoices, bills or other written proof tying me to the bill. I also reported AFNI to the Federal Trade Commission (The idiots actually offer the link in their frequently asked questions and there is an easy form to fill out) and I think if we all do the same, maybe we can stop them from doing this. It borders on fraud.

My nightmare with Afni began a few months ago with a letter stating they were attempting to collect a debt for a Verizon bill I paid (and have proof of payment) from 2000. Unfortunately, I have recently moved and all of my stuff is in storage in another state. Just having started a new job, I couldn't make arrangements to go to NJ to get my records. Knowing that I resolved this issue, I called Verizon and explained the issue. They told me they could not help me because once they sell a debt, they no longer have access to any of the records associated with that debt. They refused to help. However, miraculously, when I found a letter from January, 2001, from Verizon, thanking me for settling this issue, they sent Afni over $200 - for what, I'm not quite sure, as they said they had no records of my situation. Afni would not explain why Verizon made them a payment, either. They just sent me a new statement with the balance reflecting the Verizon payment. As my credit is very important to me, I paid the remaining balance. That was before I found this website and was shocked at how many people are dealing with the same fraudulent situation. I wrote to anyone who would listen - no one - and am now going to file a suit against Afni and, possibly, Verizon. This is absolutely criminal and unethical and they should be sued by as many people as who have the energy to fight this fight and deal with the frustration. They are counting on the fact that people have moved, don't keep old records, etc., and the fear around having one's credit ruined. This should not go unpunished!!! If anyone has any other suggestions as to what I can do, please let me know.

I received one of these letters like everyone else is describing: $573 for a Verizon account I've never heard of, for an area code where I've never lived. I was suspicious immediately because it had not appeared on my credit report when I had recently bought a house, the notice was mailed to my new address (which was less than 6 weeks old), and I had never received a bill or overdue notice from Verizon directly.

Anyway, after reading similar posts on this and other web sites, I contacted the local police in Bloomington, IL, where AFNI is located. I attempted to file a fraud report with them, and YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS...

David White, who works in the police department's public affairs office, did not take the complaint. Instead he told me that he was a personal friend of the manager at AFNI, whose name is Jeff Shepherd. He said he'd simply forward my complaint on to Jeff.

So for those of you who actually want a real live person to pester over this thing, I suggest you ask for Jeff Shepherd at AFNI directly. And if you get no relief there, give a call to his buddy David White at the police department. Maybe if David gets enough complaints about his buddy, he'll feel compelled to do more than "forward the message." His number at the police department is (309) 434-2355.

I received a letter Afni this month (04/2007) advising that I owe $229.30 for an old Verizon telephone bill from 1996 to 1997. First of all, I doubt very seriously that Verizon would allow me to continue with my phone service for a year without payment. Also, I am more than sure when I applied for telephone service through their company from 1997 to the present I do not believe I would have been granted service without being advised of a past due bill. This is completely ridiculous. I have been working diligently to keep my credit clear to purchase a house for my two children and myself. Now here comes this company out of the "wood works" to tell me that I have an old account with Verizon that they have been "Asked" to collect on. They ought to be ashamed of themselves for this. If this bill is valid, why would Verizon wait a whole decade to pursue collection. Does that make any sense at all? I don't think so. Anyway, I really hope this company gets what is coming to it. Attempting to ruin peoples credit is a shameful profession and along the lines of desperation on their part.

Regards,
Williams,
[email protected].