Debt Collection Laws in Indiana

Patrick Austin, J.D. | April 17, 2023

Edited by Hannah Locklear

If you reside in Indiana and are being contacted incessantly by a creditor or debt collector, then it is perfectly understandable if you are feeling intimidated and anxious. You may not be sure how to approach the situation or what steps you can take to address the debt collector. SoloSuit is here to help.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of debt collection laws in Indiana, including laws designed to protect you from harassment, intimidation, and deceptive collection practices.

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Indiana debt collection laws govern collection practices

There are various statutory provisions applicable to debt collection practices in the Hoosier State. Indiana regulates the practice of debt collection. For example, there are licensing requirements that debt collection agencies must satisfy to legally operate in Indiana, according to Section 25-11 of the Indiana Code. Also, debt collectors are obligated to register with the Office of the Secretary of State and comply with various licensing standards.

Indiana laws protect you from unfair debt collection practices

Indiana’s debt collection laws protect consumers from unfair debt collection practices. This includes the right to receive written notice of the debt, the right to dispute the debt, and the right to challenge the debt collector’s practices in court. Specifically, Indiana law prohibits debt collectors from making false or deceptive statements, communicating with third parties about the debt, or threatening to take illegal action.

Indiana law also protects the wages of consumers from garnishment. Debt collectors must obtain a court order before attempting to garnish wages. In addition, Indiana law limits the amount of debt that can be collected. If a debt collector attempts to collect more than is legally allowed, they may be found in violation of state law. Reach our Stop Wage Garnishment in Indiana guide to learn more.

Federal debt collection laws offer more protection

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a landmark federal law governing what debt collectors can, and cannot, do when engaging with individuals to try and recover an alleged debt. Creditors, including debt collection agencies, are prohibited from doing several things in Indiana to collect on a debt, including the following:

• Debt collectors cannot harass you.
• Debt collectors cannot rely on false information, use inappropriate or offensive language, threaten you, or accuse you of false crimes.
• Debt collectors are prohibited from calling you at your place of employment or contacting third parties (e.g., friends and family members) about your alleged debt.
• Debt collectors cannot contact you prior to 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.

Dispute debt collection efforts in Indiana

Under Indiana law, individuals have the legal right to dispute debt collection efforts. Individuals also possess the right to receive a written notification about the debt. If the individual believes the debt is inaccurate, they have the legal right to dispute the collection efforts in writing. The debt collection agency must respond to an individual’s objection by conducting an investigation. If the debt collector cannot verify the debt, they are legally obligated to cease their collection efforts.

Send a Debt Validation Letter to force debt collectors to verify the debt before they continue collection efforts. If they can’t validate the debt, then they must stop bothering you about it.

Debt collectors have to collect a debt before the statute of limitations runs out

According to Indiana law, debt collectors have a deadline to try and recover a debt. This period of time is known as the statute of limitations. This is a state law that prevents debt collectors from suing people over an old debt. In other words, if a debt collector fails to file a collection lawsuit against an alleged debtor during the applicable time period, the debt collector loses the right to file an action from that point on.

Check out our article on Indiana Statute of Limitations on Debt.

However, it is important to note the Indiana statute of limitations on debt can last anywhere from six years to ten years, depending on the type of debt in question. On the other hand, oral or unwritten contracts have a period of six years. The statute becomes active from the date your payment is due or the last time you made payment before you defaulted.

The table below further outlines the statute of limitations on different types of debt in Indiana:

Statute of Limitations on Debt in Indiana

Debt Type	Deadline in Years
Auto loan	4
Sale of goods	4
Written contracts	4-10
Medical debt	6-10
Credit card	6
Oral contracts	6
Judgment	20
Findlaw

Report debt collectors who harassed you

If you are being subjected to harassment or threats by a debt collector, do not throw your hands up in despair. Both Indiana state law and federal law provide statutory rights and protections applicable to these situations.

Under federal law, you may want to consider filing a complaint against the debt collector with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and/or Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Under Indiana law, the Collection Agency Division of the Secretary of State is empowered to handle complaints regarding alleged violations by debt collectors and debt collection agencies. It is important to understand that, in the Hoosier State, harassment of consumers is not tolerated or acceptable, without regard to the nature or circumstances of the debt.

In addition, Indiana regulatory authorities do not allow illegal or improper collection efforts. If someone is subjected to illegal or harassing collections actions by a creditor or debt collector, it is important to research and develop an understanding of your legal rights and protections. You should also take advantage of the resources and tools offered by SoloSuit.

If a debt collector in Indiana violates state and/or federal law, it is also important to know you have the option to file a lawsuit against the debt collector. If you opt to file suit against a debt collector, you may seek financial restitution for the harms and losses stemming from the debt collector’s unlawful and improper actions, as well as court costs and attorney fees.

Key Takeaways

Indiana debt collection laws were created to keep consumers safe from abuse and harassment. These laws even the playing field and make it easier for consumers to defend themselves in and out of court. Here are some key takeaways on this article on Indiana debt collection laws:

• If you are contacted by a creditor or debt collection agency, do not fret. You have legal rights and protections under both federal law and Indiana law.
• If you are being subjected to harassment by a debt collector, you may have grounds to file a legal action under the aforementioned FDCPA, and other laws, to potentially recover compensatory damages.
• Debt collectors can only contact you between the hours of 8:00 am and 9:00 pm. They are also legally prohibited from calling you multiple times per day.

If you’ve been sued for a debt in Indiana, respond to the case with SoloSuit’s Debt Answer form and increase your chances of winning by 7x. Check out this video to learn more:

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>>Read the FastCompany article: Debt Lawsuits Are Complicated: This Website Makes Them Simpler To Navigate

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How to answer a summons for debt collection in your state

Here's a list of guides for other states.

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Guides on how to beat every debt collector

Being sued by a different debt collector? Were making guides on how to beat each one.

• Absolute Resolutions Investments LLC
• Accredited Collection Services
• Alliance One
• Amcol Clmbia
• American Recovery Service
• Asset Acceptance LLC
• Asset Recovery Solutions
• Associated Credit Services
• Autovest LLC
• Cach LLC
• Cavalry SPV I LLC
• Cerastes LLC
• Colinfobur
• Covington Credit
• Crown Asset Management
• CTC Debt Collector
• Cypress Financial Recoveries
• Delanor Kemper & Associates
• Eagle Loan of Ohio
• Educap
• Estate Information Services
• FIA Card Services
• Forster & Garbus
• Freshview Solutions
• Fulton Friedman & Gullace LLP
• Harvest Credit Management
• Howard Lee Schiff
• Hudson & Keyse LLC
• Integras Capital Recovery LLC
• Javitch Block
• Jefferson Capital Systems LLC
• LVNV Funding
• Mannbracken
• Mariner Finance
• Medicredit
• Michael J Adams PC
• Michael J Scott
• Midland Funding LLC
• Mullooly, Jeffrey, Rooney & Flynn
• Mountain Land Collections
• MRS Associates
• National Collegiate Trust
• Nationstar Foreclosure
• Northstar Capital Acquisition
• NCEP LLC
• NRC Collection Agency
• OneMain Financial
• Palisades Collection LLC
• Pallida LLC
• Paragon Revenue Group
• Pinnacle Collections Agency
• PMAB LLC
• Portfolio Recovery Associates
• Provest Law
• PYOD LLC
• Reunion Student Loan Finance Corporation
• Revenue Group
• Regents and Associates
• RSIEH
• Salander Enterprises LLC
• Second Round Sub LLC
• Security Credit Services
• Sherman Financial Group
• Suttell and Hammer
• T-Mobile
• Transworld Systems
• Tulsa Teachers Credit Union
• UCB Collection
• Velo Law Office
• Velocity Investments
• Waypoint Resource Group
• Weinberg and Associates
• Wolpoff & Abramson

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Is your credit card company suing you? Learn how you can beat each one.

• Bank of America
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• Chase
• Credit One Bank
• PayPal Synchrony Card
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