Consumer litigation activity shifted again in March 2026, reversing several of the trendsĀ seenĀ the previous month and continuing a broader rise in filings and complaints across multiple areas of consumer finance law.Ā
According to the latest report fromĀ WebRecon, litigation tied to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) both posted significant month-over-month increases in March. FDCPA filings rose 17.3%, while FCRA lawsuits increased 18.9% compared to February. Meanwhile, litigation under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) declined slightly by 3.1% after experiencing growth the month prior.Ā
Despite the monthly dip in TCPA filings, every major category tracked in the reportĀ remainsĀ ahead of 2025 levels on a year-to-date basis. FCRA litigation continues to drive much of the overall growth, while complaint activityĀ submittedĀ to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also remained elevated. CFPB complaints increased 18.9% in March alone and are now up 46.6% year over year, even as the agency has scaled back certain enforcement efforts related to the sector.Ā
One notable trend highlighted in the report was the continued dominance of TCPA class action lawsuits. In March,Ā nearly 78%Ā of all TCPA lawsuits filed were class actions, underscoring the ongoing volume of large-scale consumer communication disputes. The report also found thatĀ roughly 43%Ā of plaintiffs who filed lawsuits in March had previously filed at least one other lawsuit.Ā
FDCPA Litigation Increases After February DeclineĀ
Litigation under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act rebounded in March following a decline in February. A total of 413 FDCPA lawsuits were filed during March 2026, up from 352 cases the previous month. That figure alsoĀ representedĀ a modest 1.7% increase compared to March 2025, when 406 lawsuits were filed.Ā
Year to date, FDCPA filings are up 12.1% compared to the same period last year, signaling continued activity in debt collection-related litigation.Ā
TCPA Lawsuits Remain Elevated Despite Monthly DipĀ
Litigation involving the Telephone Consumer Protection Act declined slightly in March after rising in February. There were 283 TCPA lawsuits filed during the month, down from 292 in February.Ā
However, filings remained significantly higherĀ thanĀ the same timeĀ last year. March 2026 filings were 16.9% above March 2025 levels, when 242 lawsuits were recorded.Ā Overall, TCPA litigation is up 23.7% year to date compared to 2025.Ā
FCRA Filings Continue Strong Growth TrendĀ
Among the categories tracked, litigation tied to the Fair Credit Reporting Act showed the strongest growth.Ā
There were 931 FCRA lawsuits filed in March 2026, compared to 783 filed in February. Filings were also 45% higher than March 2025 levels, when 642 lawsuits were filed.Ā
Year-to-date FCRA filings are now up 40.1% compared to the same period in 2025, making it the fastest-growing category in the latest report.Ā
CFPB Complaints Continue ClimbingĀ
Consumer complaintsĀ submittedĀ to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also continued to rise sharply in March.Ā
The agency recorded 33,397 complaints during the month, up from 28,097 complaints in February. Compared to March 2025, complaint volume increased 56%, when 21,411 complaints were filed.Ā
So far in 2026, CFPB complaints are running 46.6% higher than the same period last year.Ā
The majority ofĀ complaints fell into the āI do not knowā debt category, which accounted for 22,044 complaints, or approximately 66% of the total. Other major complaint categories included other debt and credit card debt, eachĀ representingĀ 11% of complaints filed during the month.Ā
AdditionalĀ complaint categoriesĀ includedĀ telecommunications debt, rental debt, medical debt, auto debt, payday loan debt, student loan debt, and mortgage debt.Ā
The most common consumer complaint involvedĀ attemptsĀ to collect debt that consumers said they did not owe, totaling 15,903 complaints. The second most common category involved complaints alleging negative or legalĀ actionsĀ were taken or threatened, which accounted for 7,932 complaints.Ā
Overall, the March 2026 dataĀ reflectsĀ continued growth in consumer litigation and complaint activity across several key regulatory areas, particularly in credit reporting and consumer financial complaints.Ā
Author:Ā Jennifer Evancic
Jennifer.Evancic@ResourceManagement.com
Jennifer Evancic is a third-party auditor valued by creditors and large organizations for her knowledge in call monitoring within the collections industry. With meticulous attention to detail and a firm grasp of regulatory requirements, she ensures compliance with clientsā criteria and state and federal regulations.
Jennifer audits collections calls, ensuring they meet client-specific criteria and comply with regulations, providing valuable insights and maintaining industry standards.
Beyond her auditing responsibilities, Jennifer takes the lead in organizing and facilitating monthly call calibrations. These sessions serve as a collaborative forum where clients and their vendors come together to discuss call monitoring results and address any findings or areas for improvement. Jenniferās guidance fosters open communication and ensures alignment between clients and vendors, driving continuous improvement in collections practices.
Jennifer stays up-to-date with compliance and industry best practices by participating regularly in peer meetings, regulatory updates and industry webinars. This keeps her informed about emerging issues and ensures she remains a knowledgeable leader in collections compliance.
