Afni posted a collection account/public record on my credit report, with original creditor Verizon, account number 2017583564, opened in December for $179. I did not open this account and I have received no correspondence from AFNI, in any form, no bills, or collection notices.
I have been a Verizon customer in Maryland, with the SAME phone and cell phone numbers since 2000. I have never had any other kind of service with them (internet, or cable), and I have been a customer in good standing since obtaining my service with them 7 years ago. The account number refers to a New Jersey phone number, and I have never lived in New Jersey, and know no one who lives there. I filed a complaint with the FTC, the BBB of Illinois, and have written to the three credit reporting agencies. Two of the three say they have verified the debt with Afni, and that it will remain on my credit report until 2009. I sent the following registered letter to Afni. They stamped the return receipt and I got it back but they did not respond to my request. What on earth can I do to get this fraudulent item off of my credit report. My credit score plummeted from 700 to 630 as a result, and I was about to sell my house and buy another! How can they get away with this?
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is being sent to you in response to a collection item added to my credit report in June. Be advised that this is not a refusal to pay, but a notice sent pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 USC 1692g Sec. 809 (b) that your claim is disputed and validation is requested.
This is NOT a request for verification or proof of my mailing address, but a request for VALIDATION made pursuant to the above named Title and Section. I respectfully request that your offices provide me with competent evidence that I have any legal obligation to pay you.
Please provide me with the following:
What the money you say I owe is for;
Explain and show me how you calculated what you say I owe; Provide me with copies of any papers that show I agreed to pay what you say I owe; Provide a verification or copy of any judgment if applicable; Identify the original creditor; Prove the Statute of Limitations has not expired on this account Show me that you are licensed to collect in my state Provide me with your license numbers and Registered Agent
At this time I will also inform you that if your offices have reported invalidated information to any of the 3 major Credit Bureau's (Equifax, Experian or TransUnion) this action might constitute fraud under both Federal and State Laws. Due to this fact, if any negative mark remains on any of my credit reports by your company or the company that you represent I will not hesitate in bringing legal action against you for the following:
Violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act
Violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
Defamation of Character
If you are unable to comply validate this debt and the negative marks on my credit are not removed immediately, I will consult with my legal counsel for suit. This includes the already mentioned listings that are inaccurate or invalidated or verifying an account as accurate when in fact there is no provided proof that it is.
If your offices fail to respond to this validation request within 30 days from the date of your receipt, all references to this account must be deleted and completely removed from my credit file and a copy of such deletion request shall be sent to me immediately.
I would also like to request, in writing, that no telephone contact be made by your offices to my home or to my place of employment. If your offices attempt telephone communication with me, including but not limited to computer generated calls and calls or correspondence sent to or with any third parties, it will be considered harassment and I will have no choice but to file suit. All future communications with me MUST be done in writing and sent to the address noted in this letter by USPS.
It would be advisable that you assure that your records are in order before I am forced to take legal action. This is an attempt to correct your records, any information obtained shall be used for that purpose.
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