The loophole that allows higher pump prices for plastic

Rick went to the gas station the other day. He saw that there was one price for paying in cash, another for paying with plastic. And the plastic price was 10 cents a gallon higher.

He wants to know: Is that legal?

Sort of.

ASK LAZ: Smart answers to consumer questions

In California, merchants are prohibited from charging a premium for using a credit card. So that would make the higher gas price illegal.

But there’s a big, fat loophole in the law. Check out today’s Ask Laz video to find out what it is.

If you have a consumer question, email me at asklaz@latimes.com or contact me via Twitter @Davidlaz.