Utah criminal charge
Use of fraudulent financial transaction card in Utah
Use of fraudulent financial transaction card is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-506.9. Its classification is not fixed: Utah assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-506.9.
What is the penalty for use of fraudulent financial transaction card in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Fraudulent card use — under $500 — The value of the property, money, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is less than $500.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Fraudulent card use — under $500 — The value of the property, money, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is less than $500.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | Fraudulent card use — $500 to $1,500 — The value of the property, money, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is or exceeds $500 but is less than $1,500.; up to 364 days — except up to one year for class A misdemeanors under Title 76, Chapter 5 (Offenses Against the Individual), other than Sections 76-5-102.9, 76-5-107.5, 76-5-113, and 76-5-303, which remain at 364 days (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204(1)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Fraudulent card use — $500 to $1,500 — The value of the property, money, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is or exceeds $500 but is less than $1,500.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Fraudulent card use — $1,500 to $5,000 — The value of the property, money, or thing obtained or attempted to be obtained is or exceeds $1,500 but is less than $5,000.; indeterminate prison term, unless the statute provides otherwise; actual release is determined by the Board of Pardons and Parole) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Fraudulent card use — $1,500 to $5,000 — The value of the property, money, or thing obtained or attempted to be obtained is or exceeds $1,500 but is less than $5,000.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 15 years (Fraudulent card use — $5,000 or more — The value of the property, money, or thing obtained or attempted to be obtained is or exceeds $5,000.; indeterminate prison term, unless the statute provides otherwise; actual release is determined by the Board of Pardons and Parole) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Fraudulent card use — $5,000 or more — The value of the property, money, or thing obtained or attempted to be obtained is or exceeds $5,000.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
Applies to current (2026 General Session).
How is use of fraudulent financial transaction card classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fraudulent card use — under $500 | Class B Misdemeanor | The value of the property, money, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is less than $500. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-506.9(3)(a)(i) |
| Fraudulent card use — $500 to $1,500 | Class A Misdemeanor | The value of the property, money, or thing obtained or sought to be obtained is or exceeds $500 but is less than $1,500. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-506.9(3)(a)(ii) |
| Fraudulent card use — $1,500 to $5,000 | Third Degree Felony | The value of the property, money, or thing obtained or attempted to be obtained is or exceeds $1,500 but is less than $5,000. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-506.9(3)(a)(iii) |
| Fraudulent card use — $5,000 or more | Second Degree Felony | The value of the property, money, or thing obtained or attempted to be obtained is or exceeds $5,000. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-506.9(3)(a)(iv) |
Common questions about use of fraudulent financial transaction card in Utah
Is use of fraudulent financial transaction card a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: use of fraudulent financial transaction card ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Second Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-506.9.
Fraudulent card use — under $500: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-506.9(3)(a)(i)) · Fraudulent card use — $500 to $1,500: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-506.9(3)(a)(ii)) · Fraudulent card use — $1,500 to $5,000: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-506.9(3)(a)(iii)) · Fraudulent card use — $5,000 or more: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-506.9(3)(a)(iv))
What are the penalties for use of fraudulent financial transaction card in Utah?
Penalties for use of fraudulent financial transaction card in Utah depend on how it is classified — from a Class B Misdemeanor up to a Second Degree Felony — with the ranges set by Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 and Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Utah statute covers use of fraudulent financial transaction card?
Use of fraudulent financial transaction card is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-506.9 (Use of fraudulent financial transaction card).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.