The conflict surrounding overdraft practices in the credit union industry appears to be growing, with at least 17 credit unions in 11 states and the District of Columbia now battling class action suits over how they handle accounts with insufficient funds.

At the end of 2015, at least 13 credit unions were embroiled in suits alleging, among other things, that they charged overdraft fees based on members' available balances rather than actual balances and had opt-in agreements that were inconsistent with other disclosure materials. Since January, at least four more credit unions have been targeted in suits with similar allegations.

A review of 17 cases brought before federal courts since September 2015 showed the same two firms – the Redlands, Calif.-based McCune Wright and Santa Monica, Calif.-based The Kick Law Firm – represent all the plaintiffs. Law firms in the plaintiffs' home states are also involved, according to court documents.