News and information about the debt collection industry, fair debt law, and consumer law issues.
According to an article in the Greeley Tribune, the AFNI debt collection agency will open up a new call center in Evans, Colorado. The call center is expected to have 500 employees, with the first 250 hired by December, and the remainder by February 2011. Based in Bloomington, IL, AFNI operates other centers in Alabama, Kentucky, Florida, and Texas.
Business must be booming in the debt collection industry. As reported by the Bowling Green Daily News, the AFNI debt collection agency is hiring 60 new workers for its Bowling Green, KY, call center. It’s interesting to note that there are already 450 employees at the facility, and that the starting pay is $9 per hour. A company spokesperson said that AFNI conducts background checks and drug testing on applicants, while the story noted that, “The call center is open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, but employees don’t work traditional shifts.” Anyone who has been on the receiving end of debt collection calls knows that debt collectors work at all hours of the day and night.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune recently reported that AFNI debt collection agency purchased 100,000 old Qwest accounts, and that the debt collector is going after consumers – even though the statute of limitations for collections may have passed. This is a critical point to remember. In Minnesota, the statute of limitations for debt collection is six years. BUT, if AFNI gets you to make a payment, the clock resets, and the debt is considered current. This is why it’s crucial to insist upon documentation for debt validation, and to understand your state’s statute of limitations.
AFNI’s actions against Minnesotans come on the heels of a 2008 settlement in a lawsuit brought by Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson, at which time the company pledged to stop trying to collect from consumers who didn’t owe the debts.
If you have been the victim of harassment or illegal or unfair debt collection practices, contact the Fair Debt Attorneys at Lemberg & Associates immediately to discuss your options and protect your rights.
When you owe creditors money, you are protected by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, as well as other federal and state laws.
If a debt collector has violated your rights, you may be entitled to up to $1000 in damages, and they may even have to pay your attorney fees. Sergei Lemberg, and the attorneys at Lemberg & Associates have helped countless people to assert their legal rights with debt collectors.
Don't be intimidated by illegal debt collection practices. For immediate consideration contact Lemberg & Associates today at .
