topic Re: AFNI is Making Me Nutty in Rebuilding Your Credit

AFNI is Making Me Nutty

waltini — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:50:27 GMT

Hi everyone. Long story short...I received a Score Watch notification stating there was a new collection from AFNI. Turns out it was an old final bill from AT&T. After a lot of nonsense and thinking it wasn't mine (turns out the account number was wrong so AT&T couldn't find it), I paid the bill through AT&T and they said they would be pulling it back from collections. AFNI sent a letter stating that it was paid in full eventhough I paid AT&T. I have tried numerous times to get it deleted and get the usual, "we don't delete". I am wondering if it is possible to dispute with the CRA since the account number AFNI has is incorrect? Also, does anyone have a good email or phone number they could PM me for AFNI? Thanks so much!!!

Re: AFNI is Making Me Nutty

llecs — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:29:23 GMT

Unfortunately they can report. The acct number could be their own internal number.

If I had that, I'd fire up round after round of GW letters. I'd also call them every couple of week or so for good measure. I'd fax them too (back in the day I got their fax off their site). Per e-mail, try recoveryteam@afni.com. I think that's it.

ETA...if after a few dozen tries at GWing don't work, try something very unconventional. They have a history of deleting after receiving a PFD request at the address above. Someone is snoozing on the other end and will cue in deletion requests without receiving a payment. If I GWed to the point I ran out of ink and paper, I'd send them a PFD request for a buck and see if they might delete automatically.

Re: AFNI is Making Me Nutty

waltini — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:26:40 GMT

Thanks! I will keep bugging them with GW letters and calls. The account number is actually the AT&T number, but they have the numbers in the wrong order and that is why AT&T couldn't find it.

Re: AFNI is Making Me Nutty

XxRaVeNxX — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 18:02:01 GMT

I sent them multiple (snail mail) letters also, no response....one e-mail...had a response in 24 hours...

Re: AFNI is Making Me Nutty

waltini — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 18:05:58 GMT

thanks. I have emailed and gotten a quick response too. Unfortunatly, the response it not the right one..lol. I will keep pestering them.

Re: AFNI is Making Me Nutty

annielorie — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 05:34:56 GMT

Call at&t and have them deal with afni since you paid them directly. Then sent dispute to CRA that it was paid to the OC

Re: AFNI is Making Me Nutty

Booner72 — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 22:02:02 GMT

If there is even one single thing wrong with how AFNI is reporting, put together a well written ITS letter. They will remove it. They just blasted me with an OOOLLD cable bill long past SOL, address wrong, the whole thing. Took me a coupla months, but it's off my reports and I even got an "I'm sorry" letter. I've also had another AFNI deletion early last year. IMO, they are the easiest to work with.

Re: AFNI is Making Me Nutty

waltini — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 22:09:29 GMT

Thanks! I have been using what you refer to as the "Booner Method"...lol...I feel stupid asking, but what is an ITS letter? There are mistakes on what AFNI is reporting so this might do the trick. I appreciate the help!

Re: AFNI is Making Me Nutty

Lasardo — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 07:56:15 GMT

You really need to dispute with the CRA since they are reporting it.

Once you have disputed it they should fail to validate therefore it will be removed.

I had this experience with AFNI and found this to be the best way to get a bill from Quest (can you believe that?) removed.

Re: AFNI is Making Me Nutty

Shogun — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 10:58:34 GMT

I really wouldn't dispute to the CRA unless it's a last ditch effort and you have a good reason to dispute. Sometimes it causes more problems than it fixes.

Re: AFNI is Making Me Nutty

waltini — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 22:04:22 GMT

Thanks for everyone's input. I will keep trying. I tried disputing with the CRA with no luck. Eventually the CA will get tired of hearing form me (hopefully).

Re: AFNI is Making Me Nutty

waltini — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 23:01:07 GMT

Happy Dance! Just got AFNI to delete. Thanks so much everyone.

Re: AFNI is Making Me Nutty

Shogun — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 00:36:02 GMT

Way to go!!!! Happy Dance!

Re: AFNI is Making Me Nutty

princechristian — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 04:14:50 GMT

How? Via email? GW? PFD?

Re: AFNI is Making Me Nutty

waltini — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 16:23:17 GMT

I tried doing a PFD a few times and just kept getting the same response, "we don't accept payment for deletion." I ended up paying the OC and AFNI updated to PIF $0 balance. So, I tried to GW after that. I sent GW letters every week and faxes to every possible address and email, and fax I could get. I tried calling too, but that was unsuccessful. Each time I would word it differently, but staying pleasant and to the point (I figured I am asking for a favor, so I should not get too demanding).

Yesterday, I tried wording my GW letter a bit differently. Basically I said something along the lines of, "I am hoping to get this tradeline deleted. I realize that you do not accept payment for deletion. I never received my final bill or a dunning notice because I have not lived at the address for 2 years. As soon as I found out about this final bill, I paid the debt immediately. I am in the middle of trying to purchase a home and this negative mark is keeping me from getting my home loan. I really appreciate your help getting this matter corrected."

I also cc:ed two big cheeses at AFNI with all my emails. I don't know if that helped or hurt the situation, but in 10 minutes I has a deletion letter in my hands!

Re: AFNI is Making Me Nutty

annielorie — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 17:58:53 GMT

I know Im late to the party but major happy dance. Good for yOu!

Re: AFNI is Making Me Nutty

waltini — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 17:22:42 GMT

Thanks! I'm still dancing :)

Re: AFNI is Making Me Nutty

rubberman365 — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 09:49:12 GMT

afni is making me nutty too.: