AFNI.....oh noooo

[Bell536]

Ok.. I need some help, my lovely fico friends!  I've been working very hard at clearing up my credit report as you can see by the scores in my tagline.  Just when I thought I was down to the last collection agency and dealing with them I got a new collection letter in the mail....

Got an AFNI collection letter for close to 2k "30% off debt amount".  I called the OC for more info as i thought we did not owe a penny and paid in full as the tradeline the OC was reporting said 0 balance with a couple lates.  I had recently sent a GW letter to get the lates off and they sent me a list of all the payments I made and when and they never mentioned there was ever a balance due!  This account closed 2 years ago and DOFD is summer of 2008.  

So AFNI has not reported yet.  Should I DV first and wait for the itemized bill from OC to verify that the amount is truly due before proceeding or go ahead and pay off the thing while asking them for something in writing saying they will not report it at all?  I do NOT need this on the credit reports as we are trying to get a mortgage in the next month or two!  ughhhh

[guiness56]

If there is a slight question as to whether you owe it or not, send the CA a DV letter to cease collections.

If you find out you owe it send them a modified PFD for not reporting.

If you find out you don't owe it, send them a letter with documentation from the OC.

[kroberts67]

If you find that it is yours, my experience with AFNI is:

• If they haven't reported yet, they'll agree to not report with a PIF or settlement.  Don't miss a due date (if you have a payment plan).  If you miss it they will report immediately.  
• They aren't known for agreeing to PFD although many have had luck with GW, and deletions without asking.
• In my case the OC changed CA and it disappeared within a few days of that happening. 

[ktl72455]

Afni is great for removing quickly AFTER the bill is paid. I have paid several online at thier website, printed my reciept then emailed and asked them to delete and they do.

They will not agree to PFD. But pay it and send a GW via email and it will be removed. I have the email addresses if it will help you. Just let me know.

[Bell536]

Thank you so much guys!

It all worked out fine.  I called the OC and had them fax me the itemized bill for what was being collected.

Looks like we did owe it.  So I called the OC again to ask a question and was forwarded to AFNI without my knowing.

I was speaking to the woman, very pleasant! and she answered all my questions and took payment over the phone.

She reduced the amount as we had a discrepancy in the dates.

She confirmed that they cannot and will not report (this is over an issue with a car lease, not just a utility) and that

she already notified the OC that it was paid and will be mailing me a receipt for the payment.

ALL CLEAR!    

Thanks guys!!

[ktl72455]

Glad to hear it all worked out for you!!