Sec. 4. (a) Subject to section 6(b) of this chapter, if:
(1) motor fuel from a retailer is pumped into a vehicle; and
(2) proper payment is not made to the retailer for the motor fuel;
the owner of the vehicle is liable to the retailer for the total pump price of the motor fuel pumped into the vehicle plus a service charge of fifty dollars ($50), and the cost of certified mail, return receipt requested, or as provided in IC 1-1-7-1(a).
(b) The service charge may be imposed upon a vehicle owner when notice is mailed to the vehicle owner under section 5 of this chapter. Only one (1) service charge may be imposed under this section for each incident in which motor fuel is pumped into a vehicle and proper payment is not made.