164.085 Theft by deception. (1) A person, who obtains property of another thereby, commits theft by deception when, with intent to defraud, the person:
(a) Creates or confirms another’s false impression of law, value, intention or other state of mind that the actor does not believe to be true;
(b) Fails to correct a false impression that the person previously created or confirmed;
(c) Prevents another from acquiring information pertinent to the disposition of the property involved;
(d) Sells or otherwise transfers or encumbers property, failing to disclose a lien, adverse claim or other legal impediment to the enjoyment of the property, whether such impediment is or is not valid, or is or is not a matter of official record; or
(e) Promises performance that the person does not intend to perform or knows will not be performed.
(2) “Deception” does not include falsity as to matters having no pecuniary significance, or representations unlikely to deceive ordinary persons in the group addressed. For purposes of this subsection, the theft of a companion animal, as defined in ORS 164.055, or a captive wild animal is a matter having pecuniary significance.
(3) In a prosecution for theft by deception, the defendant’s intention or belief that a promise would not be performed may not be established by or inferred from the fact alone that such promise was not performed.
(4) In a prosecution for theft by deception committed by means of a bad check, it is prima facie evidence of knowledge that the check or order would not be honored if:
(a) The drawer has no account with the drawee at the time the check or order is drawn or uttered; or
(b) Payment is refused by the drawee for lack of funds, upon presentation within 30 days after the date of utterance, and the drawer fails t
Stored review status: 2025_edition_later_amendments_unresolved. A text match is a research starting point; applicability is not established.
Official chapter context and edition notices
Chapter 164 — Offenses Against Property
ORS sections in this chapter were amended or repealed by the Legislative Assembly during its 2026 regular session. See the table of ORS sections amended or repealed during the 2026 regular session: 2026 A&R Tables
New sections of law were enacted by the Legislative Assembly during its 2026 regular session and pertain to or are likely to be compiled in this ORS chapter. See sections in the following 2026 Oregon Laws chapters: 2026 Session Laws 0014 ; 2026 Session Laws 0053 ; 2026 Session Laws 0067
2025 EDITION
OFFENSES AGAINST PROPERTY
CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS
DEFINITIONS
THEFT AND RELATED OFFENSES
MAIL-RELATED OFFENSES
MONEY LAUNDERING
BURGLARY AND CRIMINAL TRESPASS
ARSON, CRIMINAL MISCHIEF AND RELATED OFFENSES
GRAFFITI-RELATED OFFENSES
ROBBERY
LITTERING
UNLAWFUL TRANSPORT
MISCELLANEOUS
DEFINITIONS
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Source location: ORS 164.085 (all printed versions and notes)
Stored source content
164.085 Theft by deception. (1) A person, who obtains property of another thereby, commits theft by deception when, with intent to defraud, the person:
(a) Creates or confirms another’s false impression of law, value, intention or other state of mind that the actor does not believe to be true;
(b) Fails to correct a false impression that the person previously created or confirmed;
(c) Prevents another from acquiring information pertinent to the disposition of the property involved;
(d) Sells or otherwise transfers or encumbers property, failing to disclose a lien, adverse claim or other legal impediment to the enjoyment of the property, whether such impediment is or is not valid, or is or is not a matter of official record; or
(e) Promises performance that the person does not intend to perform or knows will not be performed.
(2) “Deception” does not include falsity as to matters having no pecuniary significance, or representations unlikely to deceive ordinary persons in the group addressed. For purposes of this subsection, the theft of a companion animal, as defined in ORS 164.055, or a captive wild animal is a matter having pecuniary significance.
(3) In a prosecution for theft by deception, the defendant’s intention or belief that a promise would not be performed may not be established by or inferred from the fact alone that such promise was not performed.
(4) In a prosecution for theft by deception committed by means of a bad check, it is prima facie evidence of knowledge that the check or order would not be honored if:
(a) The drawer has no account with the drawee at the time the check or order is drawn or uttered; or
(b) Payment is refused by the drawee for lack of funds, upon presentation within 30 days after the date of utterance, and the drawer fails to make good within 10 days after receiving notice of refusal. [1971 c.743 §128; 1991 c.837 §10; 2007 c.71 §49]
Cross-references
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Oregon criminal law — ORS Title 16 (2025 snapshot) · legal_authorities
164.055 Theft in the first degree. (1) A person commits the crime of theft in the first degree if, by means other than extortion, the person commits theft as defined in ORS 164.015 and:
(a) The total value of the property in a single or aggregate transaction is $1,000 or more;
(b) The theft is committed during a riot, fire, explosion, catastrophe or other emergency in an area affected by the riot, fire, explosion, catastrophe or other emergency;
(c) The theft is theft by receiving committed by buying, selling, borrowing or lending on the security of the property;
(d) The subject of the theft is a firearm or explosive;
(e) The subject of the theft is a livestock animal, a companion animal or a wild animal removed from habitat or born of a wild animal removed from habitat, pursuant to ORS 497.308 (2)(c);
(f) The subject of the theft is a precursor substance; or
(g) During the commission of the theft, the person recklessly engages in conduct that creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury to another person.
(2) As used in this section:
(a) “Companion animal” means a dog or cat possessed by a person, business or other entity for purposes of companionship, security, hunting, herding or providing assistance in relation to a physical disability.
(b) “Explosive” means a chemical compound, mixture or device that is commonly used or intended for the purpose of producing a chemical reaction resulting in a substantially instantaneous release of gas and heat, including but not limited to dynamite, blasting powder, nitroglycerin, blasting caps and nitrojelly, but excluding fireworks as defined in ORS 480.111, black powder, smokeless powder, small arms ammunition and small arms ammunition primers.
(c) “Firearm” has the meaning given that term in ORS 166.210.
(d)
164.015 “Theft” described. A person commits theft when, with intent to deprive another of property or to appropriate property to the person or to a third person, the person:
(1) Takes, appropriates, obtains or withholds such property from an owner thereof;
(2) Commits theft of property lost, mislaid or delivered by mistake as provided in ORS 164.065;
(3) Commits extortion as provided in ORS 164.075 by compelling or inducing another person to deliver property;
(4) Commits theft by deception as provided in ORS 164.085; or
(5) Commits theft by receiving as provided in ORS 164.095. [1971 c.743 §123; 2007 c.71 §47; 2016 c.47 §7]