TCPA Filings Climb in February as Overall Volumes Dip

Filing activity declined across most categories despite strong January numbers. TCPA bucked the trend with a 33.3% monthly increase, while FDCPA and FCRA filings both declined.

February brought a shift in consumer litigation activity, with filings declining across most categories after a strong start to the year.

According to the latest WebRecon report, TCPA filings increased 33.3% in February, making it the only major consumer statute to see month-over-month growth. Meanwhile, FDCPA filings dropped 11.1%, and FCRA filings declined 5.9%, with CFPB complaints also down 13.6% compared to January.

Even with the February dip, year-to-date numbers tell a different story. Strong filing activity in January continues to drive overall growth in 2026, with TCPA filings up 26.8%, FDCPA up 18.5% and FCRA up 37.4% so far this year. Even CFPB complaints, despite a weaker February, remain up 40.4% compared to this time last year.

TCPA activity continues to stand out beyond filing volume alone. Putative class actions made up more than 72% of TCPA lawsuits filed in February, a level that remains historically high. By comparison, class actions represented just 2.3% of FDCPA filings and 1.9% of FCRA filings.

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

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

FDCPA litigation declined from the previous month but remains elevated compared with last year. There were 352 FDCPA lawsuits filed in February 2026, an 11.1% decrease from January 2026, when 396 cases were recorded. However, filings were 10.7% higher than in February 2025, when 318 lawsuits were filed.

Telephone Consumer Protection Act

TCPA litigation increased from the previous month and remains significantly higher than last year. There were 292 TCPA lawsuits filed in February 2026, a 33.3% increase from January 2026, when 219 cases were recorded. Filings were also 49% higher than in February 2025, when 196 lawsuits were filed.

Fair Credit Reporting Act

FCRA litigation declined from the previous month but continues to trend higher than last year. There were 783 FCRA lawsuits filed in February 2026, a 5.9% decrease from January 2026, when 832 cases were recorded. However, filings were 28.2% higher than in February 2025, when 611 lawsuits were filed.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Consumer complaints submitted to the CFPB declined from the previous month but remain substantially higher than last year. There were 27,567 complaints filed in February 2026, a 13.6% decrease from January 2026, when 31,906 complaints were recorded. However, complaints were 55.2% higher than in February 2025, when 17,760 complaints were filed.

The types of debt behind the CFPB complaints were:

• 3,271 Other debt (12%)
• 2,981 Credit card debt (11%)
• 1,084 Telecommunications debt (4%)
• 899 Rental debt (3%)
• 636 Medical debt (2%)
• 456 Auto debt (2%)
• 254 Payday loan debt (1%)
• 78 Federal student loan debt (0%)
• 58 Private student loan debt (0%)
• 50 Mortgage debt (0%)

The most common type of complaint was attempts to collect debt not owed (12,191), followed by complaints about those that took or threatened negative or legal action (7,125).

Read the February 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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