Judgment issued against Munster debt collector

CROWN POINT, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — The state has received a $1.3 million default judgment against a debt collection agency in Munster that was accused of engaging in “abusive and deceptive business practices.” Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office alleges that New Britain Financial LLC violated the Indiana Deceptive Consumer Sales Act on numerous occasions.

Former Attorney General Curtis Hill filed a civil complaint last September, accusing New Britain and its owner, Nelson Macwan of Illinois, of threatening consumers with lawsuits, arrest, garnishments and liens without having judgments against the consumers. The company was also accused of acting as a debt collection agency from Indiana without a license.

The company’s license was not renewed in 2019 after the Indiana Secretary of State’s office learned that Macwan was prohibited from operating as a debt collector in Illinois due to abusive debt collection practices. 

The judgment was issued by the Lake County Superior Court after New Britain Financial and Macwan failed to respond to the civil complaint. The judgment includes more than $300,000 in restitution for consumers, and more than $1 million in civil penalties.

Additionally, New Britain Financial and Macwan are prohibited from engaging in debt collection in the state of Indiana. 

You can view the full judgment by clicking here.