AG seeks injunction against Munster debt collector

MUNSTER, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — Indiana’s attorney general is accusing a Munster-based debt collection agency of “deceptive and abusive” practices. Curtis Hill has filed a civil complaint against New Britain Financial and its founder, Nelson Macwan, alleging the company also acted as a debt collection agency without a license.

Hill’s office says Macwan created the company in 2015 and the Indiana Secretary of State renewed its license each year, with some gaps, through 2018.

However, the company’s license was not renewed for 2019 after the SOS office learned that Macwan was prohibited from operating as a debt collector in Illinois due to abusive debt collection practices, according to the attorney general. Macwan served jail time in 2017 for violating an injunction in Illinois.

The complaint alleges New Britain Financial continued to operate in Indiana despite being denied a license, which is a violation of the Indiana Deceptive Consumer Sales Act.

Hill’s office says the company has also threatened consumers with lawsuits, arrest, garnishments and liens without having judgments against them.

“Debt collection is a serious business that can have life-changing impacts on consumers’ lives, and it should be carried out only by individuals who bring integrity to the job,” Hill said in a news release. “The allegations against New Britain Financial and its owner are serious, and we aim to permanently prevent them from performing these duties in our state.” 

Hill’s complaint seeks a permanent injunction against Macwan and New Britain Financial to prohibit them from engaging in debt collection in or from Indiana. The attorney general is also seeking restitution for consumers who have been impacted.