FDCPA and Other Consumer Lawsuit Statistics, April 1-15, 2012
Quick analysis:
FDCPA litigation slowed again in the first half of April, likely in part because three full weekends fell in this short 15-day period. FCRA was the only statute to show much life in this period with a 8.3% jump over the last half of March, though even that is still down from this time last year.
Year to date, FCRA and TCPA are still showing strong growth, while FDCPA shows a slight decline and TILA is down significantly.
| Comparisons: | Current Period | Previous Period | Previous Year Comp | ||
| . | April 1-15, 2012 | March 16-31, 2012 | April 1-15, 2011 | ||
| FDCPA lawsuits | 460 | 531 | -13.4% | 573 | -19.7% |
| FCRA lawsuits | 78 | 72 | 8.3% | 81 | -3.7% |
| TCPA lawsuits | 43 | 65 | -33.8% | 48 | -10.4% |
| TILA lawsuits | 33 | 33 | 0.0% | 24 | 37.5% |
| YTD FDCPA lawsuits | 3111 | 3276 | -5.0% | ||
| YTD FCRA lawsuits | 668 | 384 | 74.0% | ||
| YTD TCPA lawsuits | 300 | 164 | 82.9% | ||
| YTD TILA lawsuits | 265 | 384 | -31.0% | ||
Full Statistics:
There were about 518 lawsuits filed under consumer statutes in the first half of April 2012. Here is an approximate breakdown:
- 460 FDCPA
- 78 FCRA
- 43 TCPA
- 33 TILA
Summary:
- Of those cases, there were about 545 unique plaintiffs (including multiple plaintiffs in one suit).
- Of those plaintiffs, about 183, or 34%, had sued under consumer statutes before.
- Combined, those plaintiffs have filed about 1040 lawsuits since 2001
- Actions were filed in 112 different US District Court branches.
- About 562 different collection firms and creditors were sued.
The top courts where lawsuits were filed:
- 31 Lawsuits: Illinois Northern District Court – Chicago
- 28 Lawsuits: Colorado District Court – Denver
- 28 Lawsuits: California Central District Court – Western Division – Los Angeles
- 22 Lawsuits: Pennsylvania Eastern District Court – Philadelphia
- 20 Lawsuits: California Southern District Court – San Diego
- 19 Lawsuits: New York Eastern District Court – Brooklyn
- 16 Lawsuits: Minnesota District Court – Dmn
- 14 Lawsuits: Tennessee Eastern District Court – Greeneville
- 14 Lawsuits: Florida Southern District Court – Fort Lauderdale
- 12 Lawsuits: New York Eastern District Court – Central Islip
The most active consumer attorneys were:
- Representing 16 Consumers: Sergei Lemberg
- Representing 15 Consumers: David M Larson
- Representing 11 Consumers: Everett H Mechem
- Representing 10 Consumers: Joseph M Meinhardt
- Representing 10 Consumers: Dennis R Kurz
- Representing 9 Consumers: George T Martin Iii Iii
- Representing 9 Consumers: Craig T Kimmel
- Representing 9 Consumers: Gary D Nitzkin
- Representing 9 Consumers: Joshua B Swigart
- Representing 8 Consumers: Alan C Lee
Statistics Year to Date:
3557 total lawsuits for 2012, including:
- 3111 FDCPA
- 668 FCRA
- 300 TCPA
- 265 TILA
Number of Unique Plaintiffs: 3650 (including multiple plaintiffs in one suit)
The most active consumer attorneys of the year:
- Representing 97 Consumers: Sergei Lemberg
- Representing 92 Consumers: David M Larson
- Representing 81 Consumers: Craig T Kimmel
- Representing 70 Consumers: David J Philipps
- Representing 53 Consumers: Everett H Mechem