FDCPA and Other Consumer Lawsuit Statistics, November 16-30, 2012

Quick analysis: It was a slow period for all litigation due to the Thanksgiving holiday, but it was a really slow period for FDCPA litigation, even taking the holiday into account. While FCRA and TCPA dipped from last period (15.5% and 7.7%, respectively) they were both still up from last year in the same period (19% and 100%, respectively). In contrast, FDCPA was down 23.3% from last period and 11% from the same period last year, continuing its trend to finish the year down in the area of 6-7% from 2011.

Full Statistics:

There were about 453 lawsuits filed under consumer statutes in the second half of November 2012. Here is an approximate breakdown:

• 385 FDCPA
• 82 FCRA
• 48 TCPA

Summary:

• Of those cases, there were about 510 unique plaintiffs (including multiple plaintiffs in one suit).
• Of those plaintiffs, about 186, or 36%, had sued under consumer statutes before.
• Combined, those plaintiffs have filed about 1000 lawsuits since 2001
• Actions were filed in 278 different US District Court branches.
• About 497 different collection firms and creditors were sued.

The top courts where lawsuits were filed:

• 27 Lawsuits: Colorado District Court – Denver
• 27 Lawsuits: New York Eastern District Court – Brooklyn
• 25 Lawsuits: Minnesota District Court – Dmn
• 24 Lawsuits: Illinois Northern District Court – Chicago
• 22 Lawsuits: California Central District Court – Los Angeles
• 17 Lawsuits: Pennsylvania Eastern District Court – Philadelphia
• 14 Lawsuits: Maryland District Court – Greenbelt
• 14 Lawsuits: Michigan Eastern District Court – Detroit
• 12 Lawsuits: New York Southern District Court – Foley Square
• 11 Lawsuits: Florida Southern District Court – Fort Lauderdale

The most active consumer attorneys were:

• Representing 18 Consumers: Sergei Lemberg
• Representing 16 Consumers: Zoe Jayde Dolan
• Representing 16 Consumers: Scott Adam Kamber
• Representing 14 Consumers: Craig Thor Kimmel
• Representing 13 Consumers: David Michael Larson
• Representing 12 Consumers: Mary Elizabeth Philipps
• Representing 12 Consumers: David J Philipps
• Representing 12 Consumers: Angie K Robertson
• Representing 11 Consumers: Tammy L Hussin
• Representing 10 Consumers: Daniel A Edelman

Statistics Year to Date:

11,775 total lawsuits for 2012, including:

• 10541 FDCPA
• 2071 FCRA
• 989 TCPA

Number of Unique Plaintiffs: 11665 (including multiple plaintiffs in one suit)

The most active consumer attorneys of the year:

• Representing 342 Consumers: Sergei Lemberg
• Representing 272 Consumers: Craig T Kimmel
• Representing 256 Consumers: David M Larson
• Representing 191 Consumers: Gary D Nitzkin
• Representing 185 Consumers: David J Philipps