My husband and I of 11 months and 3 days are trying to purchase our first home and hoped to be in this new house before our Christmas. While reviewing his credit file back in August, I found a $330.00 Sprint bill in collections. Hubby could not recall anything about it so I called AFNI and started asking questions about the original debt. I actually spoke to a young woman who was very friendly and she let me know that they were willing to settle on the account (we would only need to pay the early termination fee). I let her know that my husband isn't even sure that this was his.
When I realized that the account was almost 7 years old I decided to wait a month and let it drop off. When it aged I wrote all 3 bureaus asking they remove the aged account - Experian deleted it right away. When TransUnion and Equifax confirmed that it was not aged, I wrote AFNI asking for copies of the original statements so I can confirm the date of first delinquency myself. TranUnion immediately deleted the debt but Equifax would not budge.
That's when I became extremely suspicious about the validity of this debt. I simply asked for a statement (which I have yet to receive or any other bill or communication from AFNI whatsoever). I wrote my final dispute letters last week to AFNI and Equifax by certified mail using the advice many of you have offered (including asking Equifax to produce copies of whatever communication written or verbal that lead to validation).
If I don't have those statements and/or if the account is not removed, I will be filing an official complaint with the IL District Attorney's office, the FTC, and any other association I find that AFNI is tied to. It is the consumers right to receive that documentation if requested.
I just want to encourage everyone in similar situations to fight this matter diligently. Don't cave in, give up, or give out. Hundreds of others ARE paying and keeping this company in business. Don't be one of them. If you KNOW you don't owe - fight!
For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Psalm 1:6
Be blessed and I will pray that you have success in this matter.
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