Consumer complaint received 2021-04-29
Company: AFNI INC.
State: LA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
I was a XXXX customer and my 2-year agreement ended on or around XX/XX/XXXX, and when the price increased and they refused to reinstate the " perks '' of my previous agreement, I requested the account be closed. I had also gotten XXXX XXXX XXXX to install internet service at my residence around XX/XX/XXXX with no agreement to maintain the service. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I contacted XXXX XXXX XXXX ( who had purchased XXXX after my agreement with them began ) to have them terminate the XXXX XXXX as well as the internet service. This was four ( 4 ) days into the new billing cycle and the representative told me that she could not cancel the service once the new billing cycle had begun because XXXX XXXX XXXX does not do " pro-rated billing. '' Because I was no longer contractually obligated to XXXX or XXXX XXXX XXXX, I insisted that the service be terminated immediately as I was not willing to pay for services I no longer wanted nor was contractually or legally obligated to maintain. Again I was told my service couldn't be terminated until the billing cycle ended so I informed this representative that I would only pay for the four ( 4 ) days that I had used the services. The services in question are always billed in advance ; therefore, only the four ( 4 ) days of service should've been in question. 

I have had countless conversations with various XXXX XXXX XXXX individuals regarding this issue yet XXXX XXXX XXXX has refused to budge. I have been contacted by three ( 3 ) different credit collection agencies regarding this situation and have explained to each of them that my only legal obligation to XXXX XXXX XXXX is for four ( 4 ) days of service, and that is all I'm willing to pay XXXX XXXX XXXX. 

Approximately 1-year had lapsed from my last contact about this issue but I was recently contacted by a fourth ( 4th ) collection agency ( AFNI ) again insisting I owed XXXX XXXX XXXX {$140.00} for the entire month of service. This agency ( AFNI ) sent a negative report to the credit bureaus several days ago and my credit score dropped from XXXX to XXXX. I had written the credit bureaus in XXXX of XXXX explaining the dispute I was involved in with XXXX XXXX XXXX and requested they not place negative information in my credit report regarding this issue yet they did anyway. It appears that although this issue began approximately two ( 2 ) years ago, AFNI falsely reported it to the credit bureaus with the date of XX/XX/XXXX, as if it just occurred. 

I do not intend to allow myself to be extorted by XXXX XXXX XXXX under threat or fear of my excellent credit rating to be more severely and or irreparably damaged by their actions. My attempts to resolve this issue with XXXX XXXX XXXX have fallen on deaf ears and they refuse to realize that their internal rules regarding " pro-rated billing '' does not apply to me because I never entered into any agreement with XXXX XXXX XXXX, nor was I notified that this policy was in effect. I learned about the policy when I decided to terminate the service. The only legally binding agreement I entered into was when I agreed to XXXX service for a two-year term, which I completed and then sought to not renew. XXXX even refunded me {$60.00} as a credit for overpayment, which I received via a debit card. The billing department at XXXX XXXX XXXX apparently is separate from XXXX because as they are telling me I owe them {$140.00}, XXXX refunded me the overpayment based on when I had the service terminated ( always billed in advance ). 

I have numerous documents, emails, promotional letters, etc. which clearly show that I was not contractually obligated to maintain any service with XXXX XXXX XXXX any longer than I did and feel as though this is corruption at its finest! XXXX XXXX XXXX is committing extortion on me for my refusal to pay {$140.00} by severely damaging my excellent credit rating. I intend to send another letter to the credit bureaus regarding this and hope I can get some fairness. 

I need help with this issue!

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation