Can AFNI collect on my old phone bill years later?
Good afternoon. I have received a letter from AFNI? They are stating they have a valid debt for $250 some odd on an old At and T bill. I have not had that service for over 3 1/2 years. I also don't owe anything to them. I asked for a copy of the debt and will be requesting certified as well.
Is it true that phone debt is only good for 2 years ? Also I am from PA. Thanks in advance Michael. You were a great help to me once before.
—Lynne
AFNI is an established debt collection agency specializing in collecting unpaid cell, telephone, internet and cable bills. AFNI also collects medical and insurance debts.
I was surprised to see that they retain an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau even though they have 780 complaints in the last 3 years. All of those complaints show as resolved/closed though, which is a really clear indication that the management team is on top of their game.
Sending AFNI a dispute about a debt they are collecting.
You may have been unable to pay an old cell phone or cable bill, or perhaps you thought your bill was paid up when you closed your account. There are times debt collectors like AFNI end up trying to collect on bogus fees, or even on an account in complete error. I am not sure what you meant by “I don’t owe them anything”. If you can clarify that in the comments below I can offer more than just general feedback.
If you are uncertain about whether AFNI is collecting a legitimate debt, who they are collecting for, question the amount they say is owed on a bill, or a host of reasons really… you can dispute the debt. I recommend sending your dispute letter, or debt validation request in writing. Use certified mail and return receipt requested from the post office. You want to be able to establish they received your dispute notice if they continue with collection efforts without meeting their obligation to validate the legitimacy of the debt they are collecting.
Your letter does not need to be long, and I generally do not recommend using letters found on the internet that come off over done, or use a threatening tone. For most debt collection verification requests, including the dispute letter you would mail to AFNI, I would download or follow the example letters posted by the CFPB.
If AFNI calls or writes to you in an effort to collect again, but without having addressed your dispute or debt validation request, post an update in the comments and lets go from there.
I am not aware of any 2 year time limit for debt related to cell phones or land lines to become noncollectable. Do you have a source for that?
Anyone with questions or concerns about paying or settling a collection debt with AFNI, or about disputing an account they are collecting, is welcome to post in the comments below for feedback.
About Michael BoveeMichael started CRN in 2004 with a mission to provide people in need with detailed debt and credit help and education. Michael has participated as an expert panelist in federal consumer protection rule making, collaborated on state law changes governing debt consolidation, has worked as an expert witness in court matters related to the debt relief industry, and is a regular contributor to several personal finance websites.
Dear Michael,
You have been of tremendous help in the past, and I have a new situation in which I find myself in. I hope you can help again.
My original debt in the amount of $352. 10 to Cox cable company (10/2012) was broken into two collection accounts because one was for phone and the other cable. The original debt went from Cox to Credit Control Corporation. I never paid Credit Control Corporation..Just recently I received a letter from Progressive Financial Services telling me that they have the debt now and that I need to pay the money in full by 1/06/16. I was notified by Credit Karma that both debts have been deleted by Credit Control Corporation from my credit reports. (first off of Equifax 12/15/2015, then Trans Union on 12/27/2015). I am ecstatic to have this off my credit report, but I want to play this right. Did Credit Control Corporation take the collection off my credit report because they sold the debt to Progressive Financial Services, Inc.? Should I expect for Progressive to put the debt back on my credit report if I don’t pay the $352 by the 1/06/16? Thanks again.
It is highly likely that Progressive Financial will begin their own collection entry on your credit reports. If not Progressive, another collector/debt owner.
If your goal is to resolve the debt, this may be a good time. Can you raise the money needed? If not, you will have time, as the January 6th date is their deadline, not yours.
Dear Michael,
I had a debt with originally AT&T a couple of years ago, After going to a couple of collection agencies, it finally ended up with AFNI. They offered me a 50% settlement amount. The falloff date is a few more years, and i am trying to clean up my credit, so I paid the half off settlement. I have all of it documented. The problem is that AFNI have yet to report it to the credit agencies or through credit karma, so the account still says open for the full $509. It should say settled $254. What should I do? Contact AFNI and ask for Goodwill? Dispute with credit agencies? or both? Thank you so much.
Jessica
Has it been 2 months since you settle with AFNI? Also realize that Credit Karma is not considered to have real time current credit info updated.
If it has been more than 60 days since AFNI received your payment, I would indeed dispute the entry as inaccurate with the credit bureaus. It should read settled and a zero balance owed. Send any credit dispute in writing using certified mail return receipt requested. I would send a copy of your dispute to AFNI too. Keep copies of everything filed together.
You do not need to send a goodwill request letter to AFNI in order for them to do what they are required to do by law, which is only report accurate, complete and current information.
Keep your dispute brief, to the point, and use a business tone to anything you write or say along the way.
Please post an update with the outcome. If I need to help you take it further after that I will.
Dear Michael,
Yes, it has been longer than 60 days. I have prepared everything like you explained in your answer. I will definitely let you know the outcome.
Thank you for your help again. This is the second time you have helped me!
Sincerely,
Jessica T.