(1) 

Terms Used In Utah Code 7-15-2

  • Check: means a payment instrument on a depository institution including a:
(i) check;
(ii) draft;
(iii) order; or
(iv) other instrument. See Utah Code 7-15-1
  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Institution: means :
    (a) a corporation;
    (b) a limited liability company;
    (c) a partnership;
    (d) a trust;
    (e) an association;
    (f) a joint venture;
    (g) a pool;
    (h) a syndicate;
    (i) an unincorporated organization; or
    (j) any form of business entity. See Utah Code 7-1-103
  • Issuer: means a person who makes, draws, signs, or issues a check, whether as corporate agent or otherwise, for the purpose of:
    (i) obtaining from any person any money, merchandise, property, or other thing of value; or
    (ii) paying for any service, wages, salary, or rent. See Utah Code 7-15-1
  • Mailed: means the day that a notice is properly deposited in the United States mail. See Utah Code 7-15-1
  • Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
  • Person: means :
    (a) an individual;
    (b) a corporation;
    (c) a limited liability company;
    (d) a partnership;
    (e) a trust;
    (f) an association;
    (g) a joint venture;
    (h) a pool;
    (i) a syndicate;
    (j) a sole proprietorship;
    (k) an unincorporated organization; or
    (l) any form of business entity. See Utah Code 7-1-103
  • Property: includes both real and personal property. See Utah Code 68-3-12.5
  • Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
  • State: means , unless the context demands otherwise:
    (a) a state;
    (b) the District of Columbia; or
    (c) the territories of the United States. See Utah Code 7-1-103
  • United States: includes each state, district, and territory of the United States of America. See Utah Code 68-3-12.5
  • Utah Code: means the 1953 recodification of the Utah Code, as amended, unless the text expressly references a portion of the 1953 recodification of the Utah Code as it existed:Utah Code 68-3-12.5
  • Writing: includes :Utah Code 68-3-12.5
  • (a)  “Notice” means notice given to the issuer of a check either orally or in writing.

    (b)  Written notice may be given by United States mail that is:

    (i)  first class; and

    (ii)  postage prepaid.

    (c)  Notwithstanding Subsection (1)(b), written notice is conclusively presumed to have been given when the notice is:

    (i)  properly deposited in the United States mail;

    (ii)  postage prepaid;

    (iii)  certified or registered mail;

    (iv)  return receipt requested; and

    (v)  addressed to the signer at the signer’s:

    (A)  address as it appears on the check; or

    (B)  last-known address.
  • (2)  Written notice under Subsection 7-15-1(5) shall take substantially the following form:
         “Date: ____
         To: _____
         You are hereby notified that the check(s) described below issued by you has (have) been returned to us unpaid:
         Check date: ____
         Check number: ____
         Originating institution: ____
         Amount: ____
         Reason for dishonor (marked on check): ____
         In accordance with Section 7-15-1, Utah Code Annotated, you are liable for this check together with a service charge of $20, which must be paid to the undersigned.
         If you do not pay the check amount and the $20 service charge within 15 calendar days from the day on which this notice was mailed, you are required to pay within 30 calendar days from the day on which this notice is mailed:
         (1) the check amount;
         (2) the $20 service charge; and
         (3) collection costs not to exceed $35.
         If you do not pay the check amount, the $20 service charge, and the collection costs within 30 calendar days from the day on which this notice is mailed, in accordance with Section 7-15-1, Utah Code Annotated, an appropriate civil legal action may be commenced against you for:
         (1) the check amount;
         (2) interest;
         (3) court costs;
         (4) attorneys’ fees;
         (5) actual costs of collection as provided by law; and
         (6) damages in an amount equal to the greater of $100 or triple the check amount, except:
         (a) that damages recovered under this Subsection (6) may not exceed the check amount by more than $500; and
         (b) you are not liable for these damages for a check used to obtain a deferred deposit loan.
         In addition, the criminal code provides in Section 76-6-505, Utah Code Annotated, that any person who issues or passes a check for the payment of money, for the purpose of obtaining from any person, firm, partnership, or corporation, any money, property, or other thing of value or paying for any services, wages, salary, labor, or rent, knowing it will not be paid by the drawee and payment is refused by the drawee, is guilty of issuing a bad check.
         The civil action referred to in this notice does not preclude the right to prosecute under the criminal code of the state.
         (Signed)           ____________________________________________________
         Name of Holder:      ____________________________________________________
         Address of Holder:      ____________________________________________________
         Telephone Number:      ___________________________________________________”

    (3)  Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, a holder exempt under Subsection 7-15-1(9) is exempt from this section.

    Amended by Chapter 199, 2019 General Session