FDCPA and FCRA Filings Rebound in March While TCPA Drops

March brought a reversal from February, with FDCPA, FCRA and CFPB activity rising while TCPA filings declined slightly month over month, according to the latest WebRecon report.

Consumer litigation activity shifted again in March, reversing several of the trends seen in February.

According to the latest WebRecon report, FDCPA and FCRA filings both posted strong month-over-month increases in March, (+17.3% and +18.9%, respectively), while TCPA litigation declined slightly (-3.1%) after seeing growth the previous month. CFPB complaints also continued to climb, despite the agency’s pullback in enforcement activity tied to the sector.

Even with the TCPA’s monthly dip, all major categories remain ahead of 2025 levels year to date. FCRA filings continue to lead overall growth, while CFPB complaint activity remains elevated (+18.9% for the month and +46.6% for the year).

TCPA class actions also remained at a historically high level in March, representing nearly 78% of TCPA lawsuits filed that month. The report additionally noted that approximately 43% of all plaintiffs who filed suit in March had previously filed at least one other lawsuit.

Here is a breakdown of claims under accounts receivable management industry laws, as well as CFPB complaints, for March 2026:

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)

FDCPA litigation increased in March following a decline in February. There were 413 FDCPA lawsuits filed in March 2026, a 17.3% increase from February 2026, when 352 cases were recorded. Filings were also slightly higher than in March 2025, increasing 1.7% from 406 lawsuits. Year-to-date, FDCPA filings are up 12.1% compared to the same period in 2025.

Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA)

TCPA litigation declined slightly in March after increasing the previous month. There were 283 TCPA lawsuits filed in March 2026, a 3.1% decrease from February 2026, when 292 cases were recorded. Despite the monthly decline, filings remained 16.9% higher than in March 2025, when 242 lawsuits were filed. Year-to-date, TCPA filings are up 23.7% compared to the same period in 2025.

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

FCRA litigation continued to show strong growth in March. There were 931 FCRA lawsuits filed in March 2026, an increase from the 783 cases recorded in February. Filings were also 45% higher than in March 2025, when 642 lawsuits were filed. Year to date, FCRA filings are up 40.1% compared to the same period last year.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

Consumer complaints submitted to the CFPB continued to rise in March. There were 33,397 complaints filed during the month, an 18.9% increase from February 2026, when 28,097 complaints were recorded. Complaint activity was also 56% higher than in March 2025, when 21,411 complaints were filed. Year to date, CFPB complaints are up 46.6% compared to the same period last year.

The types of debt behind the CFPB complaints were:

• 22,044 I do not know (66%)
• 3,692 Other debt (11%)
• 3,527 Credit card debt (11%)
• 1,236 Telecommunications debt (4%)
• 1,139 Rental debt (3%)
• 730 Medical debt (2%)
• 536 Auto debt (2%)
• 302 Payday loan debt (1%)
• 72 Private student loan debt (0%)
• 71 Federal student loan debt (0%)
• 48 Mortgage debt (0%)

The most common type of complaint was attempts to collect debt not owed (15,903), followed by complaints about those that took or threatened negative or legal action (7,932).

Read the March 2026 WebRecon Report.

Stay tuned for next month’s snapshot as we continue tracking litigation and complaint trends that impact the ARM industry.

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