I recently received a collection notice in the mail stating that I owed $119.33 for an old Verizon bill from an address I lived about 10 years ago!
I am a person that pays bills quickly, on time and who takes their credit score seriously. So once I received this notice, I was confused. My mind couldn't think back that quickly.
I decided to call Afni, Inc. And questioned this outstanding bill. They claimed that two other collection agencies were contacted before Verizon went to Afni. Supposedly the other agencies were not successful tracking me down.
I asked them for what address this bill was for? They told me the address and I realized it was quite old. I told them that was about 10 years ago and why now? They said that it took time to track me down and it was Verizon who came to them. So really... He was trying to say he didn't know why.
Being the good on-time bill payer I am, I told them I would send a check. I guess I thought there could of been a possibility that I somehow let one slip through the cracks? Being still confused... They tried to get me to pay over the phone by giving them a routing number from my bank. I refused and told them I would send them a check immediately. He said that he would note that in his computer.
After I hung up (this has never happened to me before) I got a bit suspicious of the whole thing. I googled "Afni" and saw a whole schloo of complaints— some with stories almost exact as mine! Now I knew I've been had.
Though, Afni is a real collection agency and they can try and attempt to make a dent in my credit report.
I already put a Fraud Alert to one of the credit agencies and now waiting for my free report. I am also in the midst of writing a letter to Afni, Inc. Stating why I will not be paying the bill. I will get a proof of mailing If you get it certified, there's a good chance they won't accept it.
It is important that this matter is dealt with quickly, and I am open to any suggestions / advice... Etc.
After I receive my credit report— I'm going to file an official Identity Theft report on Afni.
Wish me luck... And luck to others that is suffering the same or similar situation!
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