Afni, Inc./Verizon - crazy!

Hello!

I apologize for starting a thread when I hardly ever post. I do read daily and have used the wealth of information offered frequently.

Two days ago I received a collection letter from Afni, Inc. for a Verizon phone bill for the amount of 840.72 from 1997! First off, the letter was sent in my maiden name which is what caught my eye in the first place. Second, hardly any information was provided and THIRD I know I dont owe that money. The phone number attached to the bill was my old number when I was in college but I know when I moved out of my college apt. there is no way in heck I had *any* balance on the bill. In fact, I called Verizon just to be sure and they have no such record. And, I have had a Verizon landline and cell phone for years and when I started both accounts nobody made any mention of such an outstanding bill. Not to mention the SOL in my state ran out four years ago.

I of course crafted and sent a validation letter and mailed it return receipt just this afternoon. I did a bit of online research and found thousands of like cases. From what I gather Afni does not validate properly so I am expecting another go round with them.

I plan to use every resource and keep a very detailed paper trail. My credit is nearly perfect now and it was a long road to get it that way. As of now Afni has not placed anything on any of my credit reports.

I did a board search and found other Afni issues. Anybody care to share their final resolution? Thanks!

 

Thanks for your response. I always thought it was best to have a paper trail when dealing with CA's and the rule of thumb never is to call. Either way I mailed a validation letter via return receipt from the post office. I was polite and clear and also requested, within the validation, to offer proof the SOL had not expired on this alleged account. Just for fun I will post the letter I sent today... it is a compilation of several sample letters I found online:

(I removed my personal info for presentation purposes)
**********************************************************

To Whom It May Concern:

This letter is being sent to you in response to a letter I received from your company on August 7, 2007.

Be advised this is not a refusal to pay, but a notice that your claim is disputed.

Under the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA), I have the right to request validation of the debt you say I owe you. I am requesting proof that I am indeed the party you are asking to pay this debt, and there is some contractual obligation which is binding on me to pay this debt. Please be advised that validation is not a request for verification or proof of my mailing address but proper, complete and competent evidence that I have any legal obligation to pay you.

Your legal staff will agree that compliance with this request is required under the laws of New York State and Federal Statutes.

In addition, please attach copies of:

*Agreement with your client that grants you the authority to collect on this alleged debt, or proof of acquisition by purchase or assignment.

*Agreement that bears the signature of the alleged debtor wherein he or she agreed to pay the creditor.

*Proof that the Statute of Limitations has not expired on the alleged account

Please also be advised that this letter is not only a formal dispute, but a request that you cease and desist any and all collection activities. This consists of the listing or furnishing of any information to a credit reporting repository that could be inaccurate or invalidated or verifying an account as accurate when in fact there is no provided proof it is.

I require compliance with the terms and conditions of this letter within 30 days from the date you receive it, or a complete withdrawal, in writing, of any claim.

Also, use this correspondence as a request that no telephone contact be made to me by your offices to my home. If your office(s) attempt telephone communication with me, including but not limited to computer generated calls, calls or written correspondence sent to any third part, it will be considered harassment. Any and all future communication with me must be done in writing and sent via the United States Postal Service to the address listed in the header of this note.

In the event of noncompliance, I reserve the right to file charges and/or complaints with appropriate County, State & Federal authorities, the BBB and State Bar associations for violations of the FDCPA, FCRA, and Federal and State statutes on fraudulent extortion.

I also hereby reserve my right to take private civil action against you to recover damages.


Hopefully this does the trick and they will send what I ask. If not I have no problem going another round with them.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I did pull my reports from all credit reporting agencies this morning and there is no mention of afni or verizon. I dont even have a soft inquiry from them. Just to be sure I also pulled DH's reports and no mention.

The letter I sent (posted above) is a limited C&D. If they cannot validate the account in 30 days I will send a full C&D.

This board is wonderful. Thank you!