How to Dispute a Bill in Indiana: A Guide for Consumers
Indiana consumers have specific rights when disputing incorrect or unfair bills from service providers, medical facilities, or merchants. The dispute process typically requires written communication within specific timeframes, proper documentation of all interactions, and may involve state-specific consumer protection agencies if initial attempts are unsuccessful.
Failing to dispute a bill within the timeframe specified by Indiana law or your service agreement may limit your legal options for recourse. Always keep detailed records of all communications and send dispute letters via certified mail with return receipt to establish proof of your timely dispute.
Key Considerations
Scenarios
Decisions
Scenarios
Decisions
Scenarios
Decisions
Relevant Laws
Indiana Deceptive Consumer Sales Act (IC 24-5-0.5)
This law protects consumers from deceptive acts, false advertising, and unfair billing practices. It gives consumers the right to dispute charges that result from deceptive practices and provides remedies including actual damages, attorney's fees, and in some cases treble damages. This is relevant when disputing bills that may involve misrepresentation of services or products.
Indiana Uniform Consumer Credit Code (IC 24-4.5)
This comprehensive law regulates consumer credit transactions in Indiana and provides consumers with rights regarding billing disputes for credit accounts. It establishes procedures for error resolution, prohibits certain billing practices, and limits a creditor's ability to collect disputed amounts while an investigation is pending.
Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission Rules (170 IAC)
These regulations govern utility billing practices in Indiana and establish consumer rights for disputing utility bills. They require utilities to have formal dispute resolution procedures, prohibit disconnection during pending disputes, and set timelines for resolving billing issues. This is essential when disputing electricity, gas, water, or telecommunications bills.
Indiana Small Claims Court Rules
These rules govern the process for filing claims in small claims courts, which have jurisdiction for disputes up to $10,000 in most Indiana counties. Small claims court provides a simplified procedure for consumers to dispute bills when other resolution methods have failed, without requiring an attorney.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. § 1692)
While a federal law, this applies in Indiana and protects consumers from abusive debt collection practices. It gives consumers the right to dispute and request verification of debts, and prohibits collectors from pursuing collection during the 30-day dispute period. This is crucial when disputing bills that have been sent to collections.
Indiana Medical Billing Statute (IC 27-8-11-3)
This law regulates medical billing practices in Indiana and provides specific protections for consumers disputing healthcare bills. It establishes requirements for itemized billing, prohibits certain billing practices, and provides a framework for resolving disputes over medical charges.
Regional Variances
Northern Indiana
Lake County has a specialized Consumer Affairs Division within the County Clerk's office that offers free mediation services for billing disputes. Residents can file complaints directly with this office before pursuing other remedies, which is unique to this county.
South Bend has a local ordinance requiring utility companies to provide an extended 45-day dispute resolution period before service disconnection, compared to the standard 30 days in most of Indiana.
Central Indiana
Indianapolis has the Consumer Protection Division of the City's Department of Business and Neighborhood Services, which offers additional resources for bill disputes. They provide free consumer advocates who can assist residents with navigating complex billing issues with large companies.
Hamilton County has established a specialized small claims court process for billing disputes under $8,000, with simplified procedures and reduced filing fees compared to the standard $6,000 limit in other Indiana counties.
Southern Indiana
Evansville has implemented a local Consumer Bill of Rights that requires service providers to provide detailed explanations of disputed charges within 10 business days, which is more stringent than state requirements.
Bloomington offers a unique Utility Bill Assistance Program that not only helps with payment but also provides advocacy services for residents who believe they have been incorrectly billed by any utility provider.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Review and document the billing issue
1 days after startingCarefully review your bill to identify the specific error or dispute. Document the exact amount in question, when you noticed it, and why you believe it's incorrect. Take screenshots or make copies of the bill showing the disputed charges.
Gather supporting documentation
3 days after startingCollect all relevant documents that support your position, including previous bills, payment receipts, service agreements, and any communications with the company about the services or products in question.
Compile Account Statement and Payment History
5 days after startingOrganize your Account Statement and Payment History Records to show your payment patterns and highlight any discrepancies. In Indiana, maintaining detailed records of your payment history is crucial for disputing billing errors.
Review your Service Contract or Agreement
7 days after startingExamine your Service Contract or Agreement to understand the terms you agreed to. Indiana law requires companies to honor their contractual obligations, and the contract may contain specific dispute resolution procedures you need to follow.
Contact the company directly
8 days after startingCall the company's customer service department to explain the dispute. Take detailed notes of the conversation including the date, time, representative's name, and what was discussed. Indiana follows the 'one-party consent' rule for recording conversations, so you may record the call without informing the other party, though it's often better to inform them.
Create Proof of Communication records
9 days after startingDocument all interactions with the company regarding your dispute. Include dates, names of representatives, summaries of conversations, and any reference numbers provided. This documentation will be important if you need to escalate your dispute later.
Draft a Billing Dispute Letter
10 days after startingWrite a formal dispute letter to the company. Under Indiana law, this should include your account information, a clear explanation of the disputed charges, copies of supporting documentation, and a specific request for resolution. Send this letter within 60 days of when the error first appeared on your bill to preserve your rights under the Fair Credit Billing Act (if applicable).
Complete a Fair Credit Billing Act Dispute Form
12 days after startingIf the dispute involves a credit card charge, fill out a Fair Credit Billing Act Dispute Form. While this is federal law, it applies in Indiana and provides important protections. The form must be received by the creditor within 60 days after the first bill containing the error was mailed to you.
Send your dispute via certified mail
13 days after startingMail your dispute letter and supporting documentation via certified mail with return receipt requested. This provides legal proof of delivery, which is important under Indiana law for establishing timelines in billing disputes.
Obtain and save your Certified Mail Receipt
14 days after startingKeep the Certified Mail Receipt as proof that you sent the dispute letter and when it was received. This documentation establishes important timelines that may be legally relevant if the dispute escalates.
Follow up with the company
44 days after startingIf you don't receive a response within 30 days, follow up with another call and a second letter. Under Indiana law, companies should respond to formal disputes in a timely manner.
File a complaint with the Indiana Attorney General
60 days after startingIf the company doesn't resolve your dispute satisfactorily, file a Consumer Complaint Form with the Indiana Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division. In Indiana, this division has authority to mediate consumer complaints and enforce consumer protection laws.
Consider filing in Small Claims Court
75 days after startingIf other methods fail, prepare to file in Small Claims Court. In Indiana, you can file claims up to $10,000 in most counties (Marion County has a $8,000 limit). You'll need to file in the county where the company is located or where the transaction occurred. The filing fee varies by county but is typically between $65 and $100.
Prepare a Small Claims Court Complaint
80 days after startingDraft your Small Claims Court Complaint following Indiana's specific requirements. Include your contact information, the company's information, the amount in dispute, and a clear explanation of your claim. Attach copies (not originals) of all supporting documentation.
File your Small Claims Court Complaint
85 days after startingFile your complaint with the appropriate township small claims court in Indiana. You'll need to pay the filing fee and arrange for service of process on the company, which can be done by certified mail or by the sheriff's department for an additional fee.
Prepare for and attend the court hearing
100 days after startingOrganize all your documentation and prepare to present your case clearly and concisely. In Indiana small claims courts, formal rules of evidence don't apply, but you should still be organized and professional. Arrive early on your court date and follow all court procedures.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Review and document the billing issue | Carefully review your bill to identify the specific error or dispute. Document the exact amount in question, when you noticed it, and why you believe it's incorrect. Take screenshots or make copies of the bill showing the disputed charges. | - | 1 |
| Gather supporting documentation | Collect all relevant documents that support your position, including previous bills, payment receipts, service agreements, and any communications with the company about the services or products in question. | - | 3 |
| Compile Account Statement and Payment History | Organize your Account Statement and Payment History Records to show your payment patterns and highlight any discrepancies. In Indiana, maintaining detailed records of your payment history is crucial for disputing billing errors. | - | 5 |
| Review your Service Contract or Agreement | Examine your Service Contract or Agreement to understand the terms you agreed to. Indiana law requires companies to honor their contractual obligations, and the contract may contain specific dispute resolution procedures you need to follow. | - | 7 |
| Contact the company directly | Call the company's customer service department to explain the dispute. Take detailed notes of the conversation including the date, time, representative's name, and what was discussed. Indiana follows the 'one-party consent' rule for recording conversations, so you may record the call without informing the other party, though it's often better to inform them. | - | 8 |
| Create Proof of Communication records | Document all interactions with the company regarding your dispute. Include dates, names of representatives, summaries of conversations, and any reference numbers provided. This documentation will be important if you need to escalate your dispute later. | Proof of Communication | 9 |
| Draft a Billing Dispute Letter | Write a formal dispute letter to the company. Under Indiana law, this should include your account information, a clear explanation of the disputed charges, copies of supporting documentation, and a specific request for resolution. Send this letter within 60 days of when the error first appeared on your bill to preserve your rights under the Fair Credit Billing Act (if applicable). | Billing Dispute Letter | 10 |
| Complete a Fair Credit Billing Act Dispute Form | If the dispute involves a credit card charge, fill out a Fair Credit Billing Act Dispute Form. While this is federal law, it applies in Indiana and provides important protections. The form must be received by the creditor within 60 days after the first bill containing the error was mailed to you. | Fair Credit Billing Act Dispute Form | 12 |
| Send your dispute via certified mail | Mail your dispute letter and supporting documentation via certified mail with return receipt requested. This provides legal proof of delivery, which is important under Indiana law for establishing timelines in billing disputes. | - | 13 |
| Obtain and save your Certified Mail Receipt | Keep the Certified Mail Receipt as proof that you sent the dispute letter and when it was received. This documentation establishes important timelines that may be legally relevant if the dispute escalates. | - | 14 |
| Follow up with the company | If you don't receive a response within 30 days, follow up with another call and a second letter. Under Indiana law, companies should respond to formal disputes in a timely manner. | - | 44 |
| File a complaint with the Indiana Attorney General | If the company doesn't resolve your dispute satisfactorily, file a Consumer Complaint Form with the Indiana Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division. In Indiana, this division has authority to mediate consumer complaints and enforce consumer protection laws. | Consumer Complaint Form | 60 |
| Consider filing in Small Claims Court | If other methods fail, prepare to file in Small Claims Court. In Indiana, you can file claims up to $10,000 in most counties (Marion County has a $8,000 limit). You'll need to file in the county where the company is located or where the transaction occurred. The filing fee varies by county but is typically between $65 and $100. | - | 75 |
| Prepare a Small Claims Court Complaint | Draft your Small Claims Court Complaint following Indiana's specific requirements. Include your contact information, the company's information, the amount in dispute, and a clear explanation of your claim. Attach copies (not originals) of all supporting documentation. | Small Claims Court Complaint | 80 |
| File your Small Claims Court Complaint | File your complaint with the appropriate township small claims court in Indiana. You'll need to pay the filing fee and arrange for service of process on the company, which can be done by certified mail or by the sheriff's department for an additional fee. | - | 85 |
| Prepare for and attend the court hearing | Organize all your documentation and prepare to present your case clearly and concisely. In Indiana small claims courts, formal rules of evidence don't apply, but you should still be organized and professional. Arrive early on your court date and follow all court procedures. | - | 100 |
Frequently Asked Questions
The first step is to contact the service provider or merchant directly. Send a written dispute letter that clearly identifies the bill, explains why you're disputing it, and includes copies of any supporting documentation. Keep the original documents for your records. Indiana law requires that you make a good faith effort to resolve the dispute directly before pursuing other remedies.
Yes. For most consumer bills, you should dispute charges within 60 days of receiving the bill. For credit card disputes specifically, the Fair Credit Billing Act (which applies in Indiana) gives you 60 days from the date the bill was mailed to file a dispute. For medical bills, you typically have 180 days from receiving the first bill to dispute it. Acting promptly preserves your legal rights and options.
For most bills, you should continue paying the undisputed portion while the disputed amount is being resolved. For credit card disputes, federal law allows you to withhold payment on the disputed amount until the investigation is complete. For utility bills in Indiana, state regulations generally prohibit service disconnection for disputed portions of bills while the dispute is being investigated, but you must pay the undisputed portion.
You can contact the Indiana Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-382-5516 or file a complaint online. For utility disputes, contact the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) at 1-800-851-4268. For medical bill disputes, the Indiana Department of Insurance may assist. For debt collection issues, you can also file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Keep copies of the original bill, all correspondence with the company (including emails, letters, and notes from phone calls with dates, times, and names of representatives), proof of payments, any contracts or service agreements, and documentation supporting your dispute (such as proof of payment or evidence of billing errors). Indiana courts will require this documentation if your dispute escalates to legal action.
Yes. Start by requesting an itemized bill and reviewing it for errors. Contact the healthcare provider's billing department to discuss discrepancies. Indiana law (IC 27-8-11-3) requires insurance companies to pay claims promptly, and you can file a complaint with the Indiana Department of Insurance if your insurer improperly denied coverage. For billing errors, you can also contact the Indiana State Medical Association's billing dispute resolution service.
If a company ignores your dispute letter, document your attempts to resolve the issue. After a reasonable time (typically 30 days), you can file a complaint with the Indiana Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division. You may also file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. For regulated industries like banking or utilities, file complaints with the appropriate regulatory agency. As a last resort, you may consider small claims court for disputes under $10,000 in Indiana.
Yes, you can still dispute a bill that's gone to collections. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (which applies in Indiana), you have the right to dispute a debt within 30 days of receiving the first collection notice. Send a written dispute letter to the collection agency requesting debt verification. The collection agency must cease collection activities until they provide verification. Indiana's statute of limitations for debt collection is generally six years, after which creditors cannot successfully sue you for the debt.
First, contact your utility company's customer service department to explain the dispute. If this doesn't resolve the issue, file a formal complaint with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) by calling 1-800-851-4268 or submitting an online complaint. Under Indiana Administrative Code (170 IAC 16-1-4), utilities cannot disconnect service while a bill is being disputed through the IURC. The IURC will investigate and issue a determination on your dispute.
Yes, if other resolution attempts fail, you can file in small claims court for disputes up to $10,000 (the current limit in Indiana). File in the county where the company is located or where the transaction occurred. The filing fee is typically $65-$100 depending on the county. You don't need an attorney for small claims court in Indiana, but you must present evidence supporting your dispute. The statute of limitations for contract disputes in Indiana is generally six years.