H.B. 364

1

RIGHT OF IDENTITY THEFT VICTIM TO
2 CIVIL CAUSE OF ACTION
3 2010 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Julie Fisher
6 Senate Sponsor: Stephen H. Urquhart
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This bill creates a civil action for damages for an identity theft victim against a
11 perpetrator.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This bill:
14 . allows an identity theft victim to bring an action against a perpetrator;
15 . sets out limits on the recovery of damages; and
16 . designates a statute of limitations for a civil action for damages.
17 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
18 None
19 Other Special Clauses:
20 None
21 Utah Code Sections Affected:
22 AMENDS:
23 78B-2-305, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
24 ENACTS:
25 78B-6-1701, Utah Code Annotated 1953
26
27 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:

28 Section 1. Section 78B-2-305 is amended to read:
29 78B-2-305. Within three years.
30 An action may be brought within three years:
31 (1) for waste, trespass upon, or injury to real property; except that when waste or
32 trespass is committed by means of underground works upon any mining claim, the cause of
33 action does not accrue until the discovery by the aggrieved party of the facts constituting the
34 waste or trespass;
35 (2) for taking, detaining, or injuring personal property, including actions for specific
36 recovery; except that in cases where the subject of the action is a domestic animal usually
37 included in the term "livestock," which at the time of its loss has a recorded mark or brand, if
38 the animal strayed or was stolen from the true owner without the owner's fault, the cause does
39 not accrue until the owner has actual knowledge of facts that would put a reasonable person
40 upon inquiry as to the possession of the animal by the defendant;
41 (3) for relief on the ground of fraud or mistake; except that the cause of action does not
42 accrue until the discovery by the aggrieved party of the facts constituting the fraud or mistake;
43 (4) for a liability created by the statutes of this state, other than for a penalty or
44 forfeiture under the laws of this state, except where in special cases a different limitation is
45 prescribed by the statutes of this state; or
46 (5) to enforce liability imposed by Section 78B-3-603 , or for damages under Section
47 78B-6-1701 , except that the cause of action does not accrue until the aggrieved party knows or
48 reasonably should know of the harm suffered.
49 Section 2. Section 78B-6-1701 is enacted to read:
50 78B-6-1701. Cause of action for identity theft.
51 (1) A petitioner who has been injured by a violation of Section 76-6-1102 , Identity
52 Fraud, or Section 76-10-1801 , Communications Fraud, may recover from the perpetrator:
53 (a) compensatory damages in the amount of $1,000 or up to three times the amount of
54 actual damages, whichever is greater;
55 (b) attorney fees; and
56 (c) court costs.
57 (2) Actual damages may include:
58 (a) replacement or reissuance costs for checks and any personal identification

59 documents;
60 (b) the value of the petitioner's time spent:
61 (i) repairing their credit history or rating; and
62 (ii) attending civil or administrative hearings necessary to resolve any debt, lien, or
63 other obligation arising from the offense;
64 (c) lost wages; and
65 (d) any other verifiable costs the court may choose to include.
66 (3) The court may award punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages.
67 (4) A perpetrator who is not tried or found not guilty of a violation of Section
68 76-6-1102 , Identity Fraud, or Section 76-10-1801 , Communications Fraud, may be found liable
69 under this section if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the perpetrator
70 participated in a violation and the petitioner was injured as a result.
71 (5) (a) A perpetrator who is found guilty of a violation of Section 76-6-1102 , Identity
72 Fraud, or Section 76-10-1801 , Communications Fraud, shall be found liable under this section.
73 (b) If restitution was ordered in the criminal action, the amount ordered shall be
74 deducted from any damages awarded under this section.




Legislative Review Note
as of 2-11-10 4:22 PM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel