Debt collector laws in Indiana
How the Indiana Deceptive Consumer Sales Act (debt collection provisions) and the Indiana collection agency licensing law protects you, beyond the federal FDCPA, plus licensing and complaints in Indiana.
Short answer
Indiana has its own debt collection law: the Indiana Deceptive Consumer Sales Act (debt collection provisions) and the Indiana collection agency licensing law. It does not cover original creditors collecting their own debts. Debt collectors need a state license in Indiana; the licensing agency is Indiana Secretary of State, Securities Division (applications through NMLS). File complaints with Indiana Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division or the CFPB.
- State law
- Yes
- Covers original creditors
- No
- License required
- Yes
- Extra protections listed
- 3
Indiana's collection law
- State law
- Indiana Deceptive Consumer Sales Act (debt collection provisions) and the Indiana collection agency licensing law
- Law
- IC 24-5-0.5-3(b)(20); IC 24-5-0.5-4; IC 25-11-1
- Covers original creditors
- No
- Official text
- Read the law
Protections Indiana adds to federal law
- A debt collector's violation of the federal FDCPA or its rules is also a deceptive act under Indiana law, which the Attorney General can enforce (IC 24-5-0.5-3(b)(20)).
- Collection agencies must be licensed by the Indiana Secretary of State, must keep money they collect in a separate account and must pay clients within 60 days (IC 25-11-1-7).
- A court can lower a wage garnishment below 25% (to as little as 10%) if you show good cause (IC 37-2-6-4(b)).
Can you sue a collector under Indiana law?
Not under the Indiana act for FDCPA-type violations: its private-lawsuit section excludes them (IC 24-5-0.5-4(a)). You can still sue under the federal FDCPA (actual damages, up to $1,000 extra, and attorney's fees).
Under federal law you can also sue a collector that breaks the FDCPA within 1 year, for your actual damages, up to $1,000 more and your attorney's fees (15 U.S.C. 1692k).
Do collectors need a license in Indiana?
- License required
- Yes
- Who licenses
- Indiana Secretary of State, Securities Division (applications through NMLS)
- Check a license
- Official license lookup
Indiana is one of 28 states in our 48 state guides that require a license.
In nearby states
- Illinois: Yes
- Michigan: Yes
- West Virginia: Yes
Where to complain in Indiana
- Indiana: Indiana Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division
- Federal: the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau takes complaints about debt collectors at consumerfinance.gov/complaint · (855) 411-2372.
- You can also report a collector to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
When a collector crosses the line in Indiana
Save the evidence
Keep letters, voicemails, emails and texts, and a log of every call.
Check the collector
Indiana requires a license, so check the collector's: Official license lookup.
Write to the collector
Use a letter to dispute a debt or to stop collector calls; keep a copy and the mailing receipt.
File a complaint
Complain to Indiana Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division. You can also complain to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.
Know your right to sue in Indiana
Under Indiana law: Not under the Indiana act for FDCPA-type violations: its private-lawsuit section excludes them (IC 24-5-0.5-4(a)).
Questions about collector laws in Indiana
Does Indiana license debt collectors?
Yes. Indiana Secretary of State, Securities Division (applications through NMLS)
Is there a Indiana debt collection act?
Yes: the Indiana Deceptive Consumer Sales Act (debt collection provisions) and the Indiana collection agency licensing law (IC 24-5-0.5-3(b)(20); IC 24-5-0.5-4; IC 25-11-1). It does not cover original creditors collecting their own debts.
Who takes complaints about collectors in Indiana?
Indiana Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division: https://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/consumer-protection-division/file-a-complaint/
Does Indiana law let me sue a collector?
Not under the Indiana act for FDCPA-type violations: its private-lawsuit section excludes them (IC 24-5-0.5-4(a)). You can still sue under the federal FDCPA (actual damages, up to $1,000 extra, and attorney's fees).
Where can I look up a collector's Indiana license?
Use Indiana's official license lookup: https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/.
What protections does Indiana add to federal debt collection law?
A debt collector's violation of the federal FDCPA or its rules is also a deceptive act under Indiana law, which the Attorney General can enforce (IC 24-5-0.5-3(b)(20)). Collection agencies must be licensed by the Indiana Secretary of State, must keep money they collect in a separate account and must pay clients within 60 days (IC 25-11-1-7). A court can lower a wage garnishment below 25% (to as little as 10%) if you show good cause (IC 37-2-6-4(b)).
Related Indiana pages
- All debt collection rights in Indiana
- Statute of limitations in Indiana: 6 years
- Wage garnishment in Indiana: 25% (federal limit)
- Sued by a debt collector in Indiana: 20 days
- “Is my debt too old?” checker for Indiana
- Dispute a debt and ask for proof (validation letter)
- Tell a collector to stop or limit contact
- Debt collector licensing by state
- Guide: how to dispute a debt
- Guide: how to stop collector calls
Debt collector laws in nearby states
- IC 24-5-0.5-3(b)(20); IC 24-5-0.5-4; IC 25-11-1
- Official license lookup
- Indiana Code 2026, Title 37 (IC 37-2-6-4 garnishment limit)
- Indiana Code 2026, Title 25 (IC 25-11-1 Collection agencies)
- Indiana Code 2026, Title 34 (limitations; exemptions)
- Indiana AG – File a Complaint
- Indiana Courts – Self-Service
- Indiana Trial Rule 6 (time)
Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.