Consumer complaint received 10/30/2016 about Debt collection (Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)) with AFNI INC. (NJ).
Issue: Improper contact or sharing of info
Sub-issue: Talked to a third party about my debt

Complaint: On XX/XX/XXXX, I signed a 2-year agreement with XXXX XXXX for TV services. XX/XX/XXXX, they blocked the channel network that I watched every day for my news. I informed them that if they do n't restore the channel network that I watched XX/XX/XXXX, I have to terminate the agreement. Since they failed to restore the channel network that I watched every day, it impacted me. Hence, I got another provider. I had paid them until XX/XX/XXXX which is the balance due after taking into consideration the one month down payment according to their representative that took the payment. However, they came back to me telling me that I owe them for the remaining unused months of the agreement. I insisted that I do n't owe them because it was their fault that they blocked the channel network that I watch which was on their line up when I signed the agreement. XX/XX/XXXX I moved from XXXX, XXXX to XXXX. I stayed in XXXX XXXX in XXXX while waiting for the completion and closing of the house that I was going to purchase. While in XXXX XXXX, I got a letter from XXXX XXXX crediting my account. It 's unfortunate that because of the move from XXXX to XXXX XXXX in XXXX to the house that I purchased I lost documents including the letter from XXXX XXXX crediting or cancelling what they said I owe them. Had I known that it will haunt me later on, I would had treasured that letter. That was around XX/XX/XXXX or XX/XX/XXXX. I had not received any communication from them since I got that letter cancelling or crediting the so-called debt. However, in XXXX XXXX, I got a letter from Afni, the collection agency that XXXX XXXX hired to reply within 30 days if I dispute the amount. I replied to Afni 's letter disputing or explaining what transpired. However, Afni replied stating that my letter served as a verification of the debt and if I have a question, I will communicate with them. Since I did n't have time to go through the hassle, I paid the {$260.00} that Afni was collecting without a slight idea that Afni will report me to the credit bureaus under " collection. '' I strongly believe the unfair treatment of XXXX XXXX that they hired Afni, the collection agency without communicating with me for a year after they sent me a letter cancelling the so-called debt nor warn me of their intent to hire a collection agency if I refuse to pay the so-called debt. I have a forwarding address with the postal office since I left Nevada to XXXX XXXX in XXXX and eventually to my new purchased home. That 's how I got their letter cancelling the debt. When I pulled up my credit report recently, I found out that Afni had reported the {$260.00} under collection. This is outrageous. I was never ever late in my credit cards or loan payments in my whole life and for the {$260.00}, my credit is tremendously damage. I, therefore, respectfully request that proper action should be taken towards XXXX XXXX and for Afni who reported this under collection when they did n't even had a hard time collecting the amount. Afni sent a letter dated XX/XX/XXXX that I received on XX/XX/XXXX requesting to reply within 30 days if I dispute the amount. I replied on XX/XX/XXXX. They replied dated XX/XX/XXXX stating that my letter was a verification of debt and if I have question I have to call them. I did n't have time to go through the hassle of further aggravation, hence, I just paid the {$260.00} on XX/XX/XXXX, not knowing that they will report this to the credit bureaus. I appreciate the necessary action of FTC towards XXXX XXXX and Afni to remove the derogatory remarks on the credit bureaus. I appreciate it. Thank you.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation