Is Afni, Inc. Calling You?

Debt collector misconduct is so notorious that consumer advocacy groups recently urged the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to impose stricter limits on collection agencies.

If you are in debt and being pushed to the brink of bankruptcy by these companies, learn more about how you can stop the harassment legally.

Is Afni, Inc. legit?

Yes, Afni Inc. is a legitimate business. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Afni Inc. was founded, incorporated, and established in 1936 and 1965 respectively. The BBB accredited Afni Inc. in 2007 and gave it an A- rating. Buzzfile notes that Afni Inc. has approximately 3,400 employees and an annual revenue of $401.8 million. The BBB lists AFNI as a collection agency that uses the alternate business names, Afni/Bloom and AFNI.

According to its website, Afni Inc. “helps companies develop meaningful and profitable relationships with their customers”, and “is a global team of people passionate about helping brands develop meaningful and profitable relationships with their customers.”

Who does Afni, Inc. collect for?

Afni Inc. collects for industries including telecommunications, satellite/cable, healthcare, and insurance. Afni Inc. notes within their “Afni Cares” section of their website that they “take [their] responsibility seriously and listen to the challenges [their] neighbors face.” Afni focuses largely on being involved in their community and a number of core values including “acting with integrity”, “always thinking”, “being honest and respectful”, “fueling passion”, and “pursuing change”. The collections company uses a number of strategies including inbound and outbound voices, digital engagement, and back office processing.

Afni also lists its professional affiliations on its website. The company is in good standing with the Telecommunications Risk Management Association, Inc. (TRMA); the National Association of Subrogation Professionals(NASP); and the International Association of Credit and Collection Professionals (ACA International).

How many complaints are there against Afni, Inc.?

As of August 2022, there are currently 599 complaints posted in the last 3 years on Afni Inc’ BBB page, 191 of which were posted in the last 12 months. The complaints largely claim that the collections company has spread debtors’ personal information, has utilized rude and unprofessional collections practices, and has falsely reported credit. Additionally, there are 104 posted Google reviews regarding Afni Inc’ collection practices, amounting to a 3 star review. Afni Inc. also has 84 posted ratings on Consumer Affairs, amounting to a 1.3 star review overall.

Afni, Inc. Contact information

Address: 1310 Martin Luther King Dr Bloomington, IL 61701-1465
Telephone: 866-352-0479
Website: http://www.afnicollections.com

Can Afni, Inc. sue me or garnish my wages?

It is possible that Afni sues you or garnishes your wages. However, it is important to note that they may only take this action with legitimate reason to do so, otherwise it violates federal collections law. Though this practice is illegal, debt collectors are known to take advantage of alleged debtors, proceeding to summon them to court and garnish their wages, even if they do not actually owe the collections company any money. Given this risk, the wisest decision as a consumer or alleged debtor would be to acquire legal help to assist with resolving your case.

Can I sue Afni, Inc. for harassment?

You can sue Afni Inc. for harassment and you should if you wish to enforce your rights and recover money for Afni Inc.’s violation. In fact, the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA) protects consumers like you, awarding damages of up to $1,000, plus attorney fees and court costs to victims of wrongful collections practices. Take advantage of the federal laws that are meant to protect consumers like you, and contact an attorney if you are at risk.

How often can Afni, Inc. call?

Afni, Inc. can only call within federally designated guidelines. Moreover, there are laws which protect consumers from repetitive phone calls from debt collectors. In November 2021, the CFPB’s Debt Collection Rule clarified that a debt collector is presumed to have violated the law if they place a telephone call to you about a particular debt

• More than seven times within a seven-day period, or
• Within seven days after engaging in a telephone conversation with you about the particular debt.

However, even if a collector has not not violated this particular portion of federal law, their actions may still be illegal if they are intended to harass, oppress, or abuse you.

How to stop Afni, Inc. calls?

You can stop Afni, Inc. from calling by acquiring professional help. It is wisest to first file a complaint and then obtain assistance from an attorney. Your attorney will inform you that the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA) provides consumers protection from improper collections practices by prohibiting actions such as the use of abusive or threatening language; harassment; or the use of false or misleading information to collect a debt. They may add that if they have harassed you, or called you repetitively, you can receive additional protection under the FCRA and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), as well as the Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA). You may have a case if..

• You are receiving multiple calls per week from third party collection agencies.
• You are receiving early morning or late night calls from debt collectors
• You are receiving calls at work from a debt collection agency
• Debt collectors are calling your family, friends, neighbors, or coworkers
• Collectors are threatening you with violence, lawsuit, or arrest
• A debt collector attempts to collect more than you owe
• You are being threatened with negative credit reporting
• A debt collector attempts to intimidate you
• Criminal accusations are being made towards you
• Use of obscene language during an attempt to collect
• Automated robocalls are being made to your phone in an attempt to collect

Does Afni, Inc. hurt my credit score?

It’s possible. If Afni, Inc. has contacted you regarding an alleged outstanding debt it is possible that they will report the alleged debt to a credit bureau. You can prevent this from occurring, or remove the credit report if it has already been reported by contacting an attorney for assistance.

*Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be constructed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Afni, Inc. or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.