Researching payday lenders on my AG site in Indiana

NOTICE TO UNLICENSED INDIANA LENDERS WHO ARE SOLICITING
BUSINESS IN INDIANA
Investigation by the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions (“Department”) has
determined that your company is among several unlicensed entities making or offering
consumer loans to residents of Indiana via the internet.
Depending on the type of loan being offered, your company is in violation of IC 24-4.5-
3-502 and/or IC 24-4.5-7-102. These statutes reference consumer loans, and/or Small
Loans (commonly referred to as “Payday Loans”) and require a license issued by this
office in order to make these consumer loans.
During the recently concluded session of the Indiana General Assembly, there was a
change to the statute governing the territorial application of the Indiana Uniform
Consumer Credit Code, including the Indiana Small Loan Act. Effective July 1, 2007, IC
24-4.5-1-201 requires internet lenders to be licensed, and to comply with Indiana law,
when making loans to Indiana residents. Additionally, IC 24-4.5-1-201(8) reads “If a
creditor has violated the provisions of this article that apply to the authority to make
consumer loans (IC 24-4.5-3-502), the loan is void and the debtor is not obligated to pay
either the principal or loan finance charge, as set forth in IC 24-4.5-5-202.”
You are advised to Cease and Desist the offering of these types of loans to Indiana
residents unless/until you have obtained the proper Indiana loan license. Consumers will
be advised that these loans are not in compliance with Indiana Statutes and that these
loans are considered null and void, and as a result, uncollectible. Additionally, the
Department may seek injunctive relief under IC 24-4.5-6 in the event of continued noncompliance.
All Financial Institutions operating within the state of Indiana will be advised that
electronic payment and / or paper/check transactions connected with these illegal loans
should be rejected if an entity is unlicensed. Consumers will also be advised on the
procedure to stop electronic debits to their accounts using return codes.
Questions concerning the acquisition of a loan license may be directed to this office.
Information is also available via our website at www.in.gov/dfi
Sincerely,

Mark B. Tarpey
Supervisor – Consumer Credit Division