Afni must have just gotten around to the New York files...
I really appreciate all of the good information here! I sent off the certified letter inquiring about the validity of their assertion that I owe them money this afternoon. (Certified with return receipt for added measure.) Copied the NY and Illinois attorney generals, the BBB in Illinois and the FTC in Washington.
The things that are still giving me great concern are these...
1) I got the collection notice on 7/25/07, however, the notice is dated 6/22/07. (Like many have stated, this is the first I am hearing of any debt owed on my very old phone number.) Since I am replying on 7/30, rather than 7/22 for the 30 days cut-off, will my efforts to dispute be ignored? I made it a point in the opening paragraph of my letter to state that I received this notice on 7/25 and not 6/22.
2) As others have pointed out, I have a current Verizon account which I have had for 8 yrs, and, like my other bills, is on autopay. Obviously, I'm never late on any payments. Verizon considers me an excellent customer. Nonetheless, since spending all day reading from this site and writing a long letter to Afni, I'm very tempted to change providers!
The question is if I will have to provide proof of payment since AFNI might decide to follow up with me — which will be very unlikely since I asked for ALL of the verifications and documentation as outlined in the numerous posts here.
This is a phone# I had 12 years ago! I have moved twice - I was out of state for 3 yrs! - and my current bank accounts are only 8-9 yrs old.
I filed change of address forms with both my out of state as well as local post offices when I left NY, 12 yrs ago. All of my mail followed me, as far as I know! They are charging that my phone was disconnected and, I'm assuming, left unpaid. Any and all bills that might have slipped my attention prior to leaving NY were paid either by myself, my mother or my sister as soon as I received them at my then destination in another state.
Do I have to ask my family to look up their records, too? That's at least 3 different checking accounts and who knows how many different credit card accounts we will need to scour. And they probably have different credit cards and bank accounts, now, too, like I do! This might be an impossibility even with our banks efforts to find any payment.
Who keeps record of payments made 12 yrs ago? Help! I would really like to put this nightmare to rest before I go absolutely wacko. I am also about to buy a house (like another poster in this thread) and I can't have this false mark on my credit report. Grrr!
(I just got the 3 credit reports 4 weeks ago because we are looking to get pre-approved by our mortgage lender — NADA, Zippo about Verizon, not ever... Unfortunately, looking back on them now, I notice on my TransUnion report that Afni was reviewing my credit back in 4/07!)
3) I keep seeing differing opinions, is the SOL in NY 6 yrs or 20 yrs? I looked at the NY State website - gobblety-gook! But I did read something about 20 yrs.: (
Julie from Pasadena has a story that makes me worry about all of the footwork to clear up anything these guys might decide to do to make my life alot more complicated with their false charges and allegations!
I will update if and when I hear from them, but I would seriously appreciate some positive strokes and assurances from those in the know. Steve? Anyone?
Thanks so much usacomplaints.com for this excellent forum and to the folks who contribute so wisely.
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