Utah statute
Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-522 — Equity skimming of a vehicle.
Current through 2026 General Session
Part of Part 5: Fraud, Utah Code.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-522
Statutory text current through the 2026 General Session. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Utah.
(1)(a) As used in this section: (1)(a)(i) "Actor" means a broker, dealer, or a person in collusion with a dealer or broker. (1)(a)(ii) "Broker" means any person who, for compensation of any kind, arranges for the sale, lease, sublease, or transfer of a vehicle. (1)(a)(iii) "Dealer" means any person engaged in the business of selling, leasing, or exchanging vehicles for compensation of any kind. (1)(a)(iv) "Lease" means any grant of use or possession of a vehicle for consideration, with or without an option to buy. (1)(a)(v) "Security interest" means an interest in a vehicle that secures payment or performance of an obligation. (1)(a)(vi) "Transfer" means any delivery or conveyance of a vehicle to another from one person to another. (1)(a)(vii) "Vehicle" means every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, or through the air or water, or over land and includes a manufactured home or mobile home as defined in Section 41-1a-102. (1)(b) Terms defined in Section 76-1-101.5 apply to this section. (2) An actor commits equity skimming of a vehicle if the actor: (2)(a)(i) transfers or arranges the transfer of a vehicle for consideration or profit; and (2)(a)(ii) has not first obtained written authorization of the lessor or holder of the security interest; and (2)(b) knows or should have known the vehicle is subject to a lease or security interest. (3) A violation of Subsection (2) is a third degree felony. (4) It is a defense to a violation of Subsection (2) if the defendant proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the lease obligation or security interest has been satisfied within 30 days following the transfer of the vehicle. (5) This section may not be construed to impose criminal or civil liability on any law enforcement officer acting within the scope of a criminal investigation. (6) The forfeiture of property under this section, including any seizure and disposition of the property and any related judicial or administrative proceeding, shall be conducted in accordance with Title 77, Chapter 11a, Seizure of Property and Contraband, through Chapter 11c, Retention of Evidence.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is equity skimming of a vehicle a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
Equity skimming of a vehicle is a Third Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-522.
Which Utah statute covers equity skimming of a vehicle?
Equity skimming of a vehicle is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-522 (Equity skimming of a vehicle).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.