AFNI Collection Agency, IL

I also received a letter from AFNI, INC., of Bloomington, IL stating it is “in my best interest” to pay them $62.05 for a telephone bill that is in collections from NJ. I have never lived in NJ so I called them to tell me it wasn’t my bill, that it was a mistake. When I called them, they asked me for my Social Security Number to prove it is not my bill. I did not give it to them, but later called Verizon directly and verified the account is not mine. What these folks do is send threatening letters off the cuff to anyone and everyone in the country who “might” pay the amount and they keep a percentage of it. When searching this AFNI company, I found other complains about them on your web site, and others.

I’ve contacted the Attorney General’s Office here in Virginia. I’ve asked them to make sure this “company” does not harass me or put this on my credit report. I then faxed AFNI as requested, with the information I found out to “prove it is not me” and basically told them to burn in hell. I’m sure sorry some person in NJ did not pay their phone bill, but what am I supposed to do about it? How did I automatically become responsible for someone else’s bill? They tell me I have to prove it’s not mine – and the bad part is, you have to comply or they say they can “assume this debt is valid” and put it on your credit report! That’s how many people find it there.

This should be illegal! Some folks are intimidated by these letters and pay them. Others ignore them knowing it’s not real, but find it on their reports later. I hope these sleazy companies are put out of business. Shame on them! They ruined my evening and I hope they are shut down. No company should hire these 3rd rate businesses to harass people by mail or by phone. This is ridiculous. Take these clowns out of business!

C. Frey

Virginia