Michael Hahn v. Hank's Ambulance Service, Inc.

In this case of first impression, we hold that an ambulance company which charges its customers an additional $5.00 when they do not pay by cash or check at the time services are rendered is not subject to the Truth-in-Lending Act, 15 U.S. C.A. § 1601 et seq. The district court concluded correctly that “[a] small flat charge for the bookkeeping cost of processing delayed payment in no way geared to the amount of the bill, simply does not implicate Truth-in-Lending.”

Initially, we find persuasive the district court’s rationale that the ambulance company is not extending “credit” within the…