Updated by Attorney Derek DePetrillo on March 25, 2024.
AFNI Debt Collection Harassment? Stop the Calls!
AFNI Debt Collection Harassment? Stop the Calls! Tired of AFNI Debt Collection Harassment? Wish there was a way to make the calls stop? Is AFNI constantly calling and harassing you? AFNI is a third-party debt collector located in Bloomington, Illinois, and while they may have the right to call you over the debts you owe, they have no right to harass or coerce you into making a payment.
if you have a debt harassment problem during the AFNI debt collection process, then you should know that you are not in this situation alone. Several debt collection giants like AFNI debt collection agency have had their days in court with unsatisfied consumers who sue them over the unlawful and illegal tactics that they often employ during the collection of a debt from delinquent consumers, many of whom are not aware of their rights, or of the fact that debt collection harassment is illegal.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, also known as the FDCPA, protects consumers’ rights in the context of debt collection. In other words, debt collectors must adhere to a certain set of rules when they are pursuing consumers who owe money. If a collector violates the FDCPA, you can sue the collector in court. The law allows consumers who have been victims of harassment from debt collectors to get the calls to stop in addition to recover statutory damages of up to $1,000, plus attorney fees and court costs.
Call us now at 877-700-5790 to know more about your options.
How the FDCPA Protects you
Regulated by Congress, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the FTC, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is a federal law that protects consumers like you against the unfair and illegal collection practices often employed by many debt collectors like AFNI debt collection agency in the debt collection process. Although the FDCPA actively defends the rights of consumers, it applies to third-party debt collectors and offers protection only for personal debts. The FDCPA does not cover the consumer if it is a case of first-party debt collection (a situation where the original creditor makes attempts to collect on debts directly owed to them), however, the debt collection laws in your state may offer more protection
Debt collection harassment is more common than you think. In 2019 alone, the FTC received about 75,200 complaints concerning the conduct of debt collectors during the debt collection process. As horrifying as this may sound, it is an improvement from the 84,500 complaints received by the FTC in 2018.
We must also note that a consumer filing a complaint does not necessarily mean that a debt collection agency has violated the FDCPA. Additionally, some complaints received by the FTC are concerning a suspected AFNI scam usually carried out by overseas debt collection scammers who call consumers to harass them and trick them into making payments over non-existent debts.
Debt collection harassment allegations are a serious issue; the agency guilty of the violation can be banned from participating in debt collection if the FTC finds the complaint to be valid. It is the duty of the FTC to keep an up-to-date list of all prohibited parties.
A collection account can significantly affect credit score. If you’ve been contacted by a collector and are worried your credit is being hurt, it might be a good idea to check your credit scores to see if anything has changed.
Key provisions of the FDCPA include:
- Prohibition of Harassment or Abuse: Debt collectors are prohibited from engaging in conduct that harasses, oppresses, or abuses consumers. This includes tactics such as making excessive phone calls, using profane language, or making threats of violence.
- False or Misleading Representations: Debt collectors are prohibited from making false or misleading statements when attempting to collect a debt. They must accurately represent the amount owed, the consequences of non-payment, and their identity as debt collectors.
- Validation of Debts: Upon request, debt collectors must provide consumers with validation of the debt, including information about the original creditor and the amount owed. They must cease collection efforts until the debt is validated.
- Disclosure of Debt Information: Debt collectors are restricted in their ability to disclose information about a consumer’s debt to third parties. They may only contact third parties to obtain location information about the consumer, and they must identify themselves truthfully.
- Prohibition of Unfair Practices: Debt collectors are prohibited from engaging in unfair practices when attempting to collect a debt. This includes attempting to collect fees or charges not authorized by the original agreement, depositing post-dated checks prematurely, and contacting consumers at inconvenient times.
- Notification of Consumer Rights: Debt collectors must inform consumers of their rights under the FDCPA, including the right to dispute the debt and request validation. They must also provide consumers with information about how to assert their rights.
- Restrictions on Location of Contact: Debt collectors are generally prohibited from contacting consumers at their place of employment if they know or have reason to know that such communication is inconvenient.
Who is AFNI?
AFNI is a third-party debt collector located in Bloomington, Illinois. The company boasts of a global reach, with branches in Kentucky, Illinois, Arizona, Alabama, and other states across the USA.
AFNI collections phone number:
Address: 1310 Martin Luther King Dr
Bloomington, IL 61701-1465
Phone: (800) 767-2364
Is AFNI a scam?
No, AFNI is a reputed and licensed debt collection agency. According to the Better Business Bureau website, AFNI has been in business since 1936, and has received 534 customer complaints filed. Read more here: AFNI Better Business Bureau
AFNI Phone Harassment?
Are you receiving any harassing phone calls from any of these numbers?
866-352-0479, 866-377-8844, 877-545-2474
If so, you may be a victim of AFNI debt collection harassment. The list above is not all the numbers that AFNI uses. Call us immediately to stop all forms of harassment that you may be enduring during these phone calls.
Common Questions:
Is AFNI a scam? No, AFNI has been in business since 1936.
Can AFNI seize my property? AFNI can’t seize your property, but there are some exceptions. If the debt was tied to the property, the collector may be able to repossess it. Or, if the collector has sued and obtain a judgment against you, the debt collector may be able to take certain property as permitted by the court.
Can AFNI sue me? Yes, AFNI can sue you so long as the debt is within the statute of limitations.
Can AFNI report my debt to the collection’s bureaus? Yes, Debt collectors are allowed to place the collection account on your credit report.
Can AFNI arrest me? Debt collectors don’t have the authority to have you arrested for a debt. However, if you violate a court order, e.g. an order to appear in court, the judge can issue a warrant for your arrest. Depending on the laws in your state, you may be arrested for certain debts like unpaid child support or traffic tickets.
The following is a sample list of complaints filed against AFNI Inc. in 2019 and can be found on Pacer.org.
1:19-cv-01210-SEB-DML HICKS v. AFNI, INC.
2:19-cv-01944-DDP-AS Antonio Owens v. AFNI, Inc.
1:19-cv-20652-DPG Nickles v. AFNI, Inc.
1:19-cv-20651-XXXX Nickles v. AFNI, Inc.
CONSUMER RIGHTS LAW FIRM, PLLC
Consumer Rights Law Firm, PLLC is a law firm that specializes in helping clients who are facing harassment from debt collectors in any form, including telephone communication. Contact a legal professional to stop AFNI debt collection harassment today. Our office has been assisting consumers since 2010, and we have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Consumer Rights Law Firm, PLLC Better Business Bureau
If you are interested in learning more about how to safeguard yourself and prevent AFNI phone harassment, call us at (877)700-5790 for immediate assistance or visit our website at We Stop Debt Collection & Phone Harassment – Call Now at 877-700-5790 (consumerlawfirmcenter.com)
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