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

Quick analysis: FDCPA and TCPA are slightly up and FCRA is down from last period. Nothing too shocking. However, YTD comparisons look extreme. Don’t let appearances fool you, this is explained by some anomalous lawsuits filed one year ago, packing hundreds of plaintiffs into two FDCPA and FCRA actions. This pushes FDCPA further behind last year (by 9%), and FCRA much closer to last year’s number, though still significantly above it (by 15%).

Full Statistics: There were about 471 lawsuits filed under consumer statutes in the second half of September 2012. Here is an approximate breakdown:

• 436 FDCPA
• 73 FCRA
• 41 TCPA

Summary:

• Of those cases, there were about 516 unique plaintiffs (including multiple plaintiffs in one suit).
• Of those plaintiffs, about 163, or 32%, had sued under consumer statutes before.
• Combined, those plaintiffs have filed about 1002 lawsuits since 2001
• Actions were filed in 272 different US District Court branches.
• About 503 different collection firms and creditors were sued.

The top courts where lawsuits were filed:

• 29 Lawsuits: Illinois Central District Court – Urbana
• 29 Lawsuits: Colorado District Court – Denver
• 21 Lawsuits: Pennsylvania Eastern District Court – Philadelphia
• 19 Lawsuits: California Central District Court – Los Angeles
• 17 Lawsuits: Michigan Eastern District Court – Detroit
• 15 Lawsuits: New York Eastern District Court – Brooklyn
• 15 Lawsuits: Minnesota District Court – Dmn
• 13 Lawsuits: Indiana Southern District Court – Indianapolis
• 12 Lawsuits: Ohio Northern District Court – Cleveland
• 12 Lawsuits: Georgia Northern District Court – Atlanta

The most active consumer attorneys were:

• Representing 33 Consumers: Peter J Cozmyk
• Representing 20 Consumers: George Thomas Martin, Iii
• Representing 15 Consumers: Sergei Lemberg
• Representing 13 Consumers: George Efthios Bassias
• Representing 11 Consumers: Barbara Cruise
• Representing 11 Consumers: Cathryn Lafayette
• Representing 11 Consumers: Grace Adams
• Representing 11 Consumers: Humza Al-Hafeez
• Representing 11 Consumers: John Crockett
• Representing 11 Consumers: Marilyn Judah

Statistics Year to Date:

9666 total lawsuits for 2012, including:

• 8588 FDCPA
• 1720 FCRA
• 782 TCPA

Number of Unique Plaintiffs: 9629 (including multiple plaintiffs in one suit)

The most active consumer attorneys of the year:

• Representing 268 Consumers: Sergei Lemberg
• Representing 267 Consumers: David M Larson
• Representing 213 Consumers: Craig T Kimmel
• Representing 200 Consumers: George T Martin Iii
• Representing 165 Consumers: Gary D Nitzkin