Opinion ID: 2996070
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Indiana Deception Claim

Text: In addition to his FDCPA claim, Veach asserted that he was entitled to relief under Indiana Code 34-24-3-1, which No. 02-1149 7 allows someone to bring a civil action for treble damages, costs, and attorney’s fees if they suffer “a pecuniary loss” due to deception, defined in Indiana Code 35-43-5- 3(a)(2) as “knowingly or intentionally makes a false or misleading written statement with intent to obtain property, employment, or an educational opportunity.” The district court granted judgment as a matter of law because, finding the notice of claim proper, it could not find any intent to deceive using the notice and an inflated debt amount. While we agree that judgment in favor of Sheeks was proper as a matter of law as to this point, our finding is predicated on the fact that Veach cannot show that he suffered any pecuniary loss as a result of the notice. “Pecuniary loss” is considered “a loss of money, or of something by which money, or something of money value may be acquired.” Americar Leasing, Inc. v. Maple, 406 N.E.2d 333, 335 (Ind. Ct. App. 1980). Since Veach represented himself in his small claims court proceedings, was represented by a public interest law firm in his appeal of that proceeding, and did not pay any of the judgment levied against him, he suffered losses of time and effort, but not money. While his checking account was frozen at some point because of his non-payment of the check, he has made no claim of financial loss as a result. Therefore, he cannot bring a claim under Indiana Code 34-24-3-1, and the district court’s grant of judgment as a matter of law regarding this claim was proper.