Improperely Installed Air Filter

I was recently told by the Toyota dealer service that an improperely installed air filter caused the Mass Air Flow Sensor on my 2001 4Runner to need replacement.
Can this be true or is it straight BS?

Saying something is impossible is just asking for trouble, but it's hard for me to see how a filter could affect the MAF sensor.

Maybe if it was a case of someone having to remove old filter and box out of the way for more room while servicing alt.or something and reinstalled old trashed out filter in backards(or a piece came off new filter) and contaminated/damaged the MAFS as the trash was sucked in(many MAFS I have seen have a small wire inside that can be damaged like that easily...

P.S. You said Mass Airflow Sensor...Air Flow Meters are not fragile in this area