Called By Bifulco and Associates? Here’s What to Know

Nearly everyone finds themselves in debt at some point. If it goes into arrear by 180 days, however, debt collectors will start calling, making you feel embarrassed, ashamed, and alone. Learn more about your rights and how you can act on them.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act makes it illegal for debt collectors to use coercive tactics when attempting to collect a debt, but unfortunately the tactics below are so common that bullied victims rarely complain about them.

• Calling you outside the hours of 8:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m.
• Leaving vague voice messages
• Trying to collect when you refuse to pay
• Using obscene language
• Failing to send a debt validation letter
• Harassing you over someone else’s debt

Company Profile: Bifulco and Associates

Bifulco and Associates is a debt collection law office located in Trevose, Pennsylvania. It opened for business in 2014, employs 8 people, and is overseen by David Bifulco. A review of records at the PACER legal archive shows that those who believed Bifulco and Associates was harassing them acted on their rights.

Alleged Violations against Bifulco and Associates

According to PACER, on or around October 20, 2014, Bifulco and Associates called a California consumer and allegedly failed to identify itself as a debt collector. Another call allegedly followed October 21, 2014. The consumer claimed that none of these communications were followed by a debt validation package.

Feeling harassed by Bifulco and Associates, the consumer got a free case evaluation from a consumer lawyer before filing a claim for:

• Not identifying itself as a debt collector
• Not sending a debt verification package

The matter was later settled.

Hire a Consumer Lawyer

The phone number for this debt collection law firm is 610-676-0650. If it appears on your caller ID, you are getting a call from Bifulco and Associates. If they don’t validate the debt or always identify themselves as debt collectors, hire a consumer lawyer and file a claim against Bifulco and Associates, as the firm could be ordered to pay you $1,000 per violation. Being in debt does make you a target of abuse, and the FDCPA reminds unethical debt collectors of that fact.

Additional Resources

• Has A Debt Collector Ever Misrepresented Themselves To You?
• Has A Debt Collector Made Your Phone Ring Repeatedly?

*Case taken from PACER (pacer.gov). File number is Case 8:14-cv-01782-CJC-AN from the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

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 Bifulco and Associates or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.