Indiana B2B Debt Collection Rules
Indiana has a diverse commercial economy anchored in manufacturing, agriculture, and logistics. Collecting unpaid B2B invoices requires compliance with Indiana's consumer credit licensing framework and adherence to professional standards — even though many consumer-focused laws have limited B2B application.
Key distinction: The federal FDCPA does not apply to B2B debts. Indiana's Deceptive Consumer Sales Act has limited application to pure commercial transactions, but deceptive collection practices remain actionable under Indiana law. AgentCollect follows professional standards for all Indiana collections.
How Long You Have to Collect
Indiana Code — Limitation of Actions
The statute of limitations determines how long a creditor has to file a lawsuit to collect a debt. Once expired, the debt is not forgiven — but it becomes unenforceable through the courts.
| Contract Type | Time Limit | Code Section |
|---|---|---|
| Written contract | 10 years | IC 34-11-2-11 |
| Oral contract | 6 years | IC 34-11-2-7 |
| Open account (invoices) | 6 years | IC 34-11-2-7 |
| Account stated | 6 years | IC 34-11-2-7 |
| Promissory note | 10 years | IC 34-11-2-11 |
Important: The clock starts from the date of the last activity on the account — typically the last payment or invoice due date. A partial payment or written acknowledgment can restart the clock.
Who Needs a License
Indiana Consumer Credit Protection Licensing
Indiana requires third-party debt collectors to hold an Indiana Consumer Credit Protection license issued by the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI).
- Third-party collectors must hold an Indiana Consumer Credit Protection license
- Original creditors collecting their own debts generally do not need a license
- License requires application, background check, and bond with Indiana DFI
- Annual renewal required
- Violations can result in license suspension, fines, or civil liability
How AgentCollect Handles This
- AgentCollect operates under its own Indiana license — you don't need to obtain one
- Our partnered attorneys are licensed and barred in Indiana
- All communications include required disclosures
- Licensing status is verified and renewed annually
Laws That Apply to B2B Collections
UCC Article 2 — Commercial Transactions
The Uniform Commercial Code governs most B2B transactions in Indiana. Unlike consumer protection laws, UCC assumes both parties are sophisticated commercial entities.
- Governs sale of goods between businesses
- Allows contractual modification of remedies and limitations
- Permits higher interest rates than consumer transactions
- Commercial reasonableness standard applies
Indiana Deceptive Consumer Sales Act — Limited B2B Application
The Indiana Deceptive Consumer Sales Act (IC 24-5-0.5) primarily protects individual consumers. Its application to pure B2B transactions is limited, but commercial collectors must avoid deceptive representations.
- No misrepresentation of debt amount, nature, or legal status
- No false threats of legal action not intended to be taken
- Indiana AG can investigate systemic commercial fraud complaints
- Professional communication standards are required
Automatic Indiana Compliance
| Requirement | How AgentCollect Handles It |
|---|---|
| Contact hours (8am–9pm ET/CT) | AI agents auto-detect timezone from area code. Never calls outside permitted hours. |
| Validation notice | Automatically sent within 30 days of first contact with all required disclosures. |
| Statute of limitations | Accounts past applicable SOL are flagged and handled with modified approach. |
| Indiana DFI licensing | AgentCollect holds its own Indiana license. Clients don't need to obtain one. |
| Cease-and-desist | Immediately stops all contact. Account moved to legal review queue. |
| No deceptive practices | All AI communications are truthful, accurate, and professionally calibrated. |
Indiana B2B Debt Collection FAQ
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