FDCPA and Other Consumer Lawsuit Statistics, October 16-31, 2012

Quick analysis: FDCPA lawsuits are still on track to finish the year somewhere in the mid-to-high 10k range, down 6% from this time last year. FCRA cools a little in comparison to an abnormal spike last period. However, both FCRA and TCPA lawsuits have roared past their full year 2011 numbers of 1883 (FCRA) and 813 (TCPA) this month, with two full months of 2012 left to set new records.

Full Statistics:

There were about 578 lawsuits filed under consumer statutes in the second half of October 2012. Here is an approximate breakdown:

• 527 FDCPA
• 65 FCRA
• 67 TCPA

Summary:

• Of those cases, there were about 621 unique plaintiffs (including multiple plaintiffs in one suit).
• Of those plaintiffs, about 235, or 38%, had sued under consumer statutes before.
• Combined, those plaintiffs have filed about 1361 lawsuits since 2001
• Actions were filed in 272 different US District Court branches.
• About 566 different collection firms and creditors were sued.

The top courts where lawsuits were filed:

• 28 Lawsuits: Pennsylvania Eastern District Court – Philadelphia
• 28 Lawsuits: Illinois Central District Court – Urbana
• 27 Lawsuits: Colorado District Court – Denver
• 25 Lawsuits: Indiana Southern District Court – Indianapolis
• 24 Lawsuits: California Central District Court – Los Angeles
• 19 Lawsuits: New York Eastern District Court – Brooklyn
• 18 Lawsuits: California Southern District Court – San Diego
• 17 Lawsuits: Minnesota District Court – Dmn
• 17 Lawsuits: Georgia Northern District Court – Atlanta
• 13 Lawsuits: New Jersey District Court – Newark

The most active consumer attorneys were:

• Representing 16 Consumers: Sergei Lemberg
• Representing 15 Consumers: Aryeh L Pomerantz
• Representing 14 Consumers: David M Larson
• Representing 12 Consumers: Craig T Kimmel
• Representing 11 Consumers: John T Steinkamp
• Representing 10 Consumers: David Wynn Miller
• Representing 10 Consumers: Daniel A Edelman
• Representing 8 Consumers: Joseph M Meinhardt
• Representing 8 Consumers: David W Skall
• Representing 7 Consumers: Tammy L Hussin

Statistics Year to Date:

10784 total lawsuits for 2012, including:

• 9655 FDCPA
• 1894 FCRA
• 888 TCPA

Number of Unique Plaintiffs: 10686 (including multiple plaintiffs in one suit)

The most active consumer attorneys of the year:

• Representing 310 Consumers: Sergei Lemberg
• Representing 293 Consumers: David M Larson
• Representing 228 Consumers: Craig T Kimmel
• Representing 177 Consumers: Gary D Nitzkin
• Representing 155 Consumers: George T Martin