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Profeco Intensifies Enforcement Against Illegal Card Surcharges

Profeco’s latest alert underscores stricter oversight with heavier penalties for card surcharges alongside new consumer reporting channels.

Overview

  • On July 30, Profeco issued a nationwide alert clarifying that merchants cannot charge extra fees on debit or credit card payments or include mandatory tips.
  • Since the April 2024 reform to the Federal Consumer Protection Law, Profeco has conducted verifications and suspended outlets that continued adding 3–5 percent surcharges on electronic payments.
  • Fines for non-compliant businesses range from 701 pesos up to 3 million pesos and suspensions are lifted only after establishments stop applying unlawful charges.
  • Iván Escalante reiterated at the presidential morning conference that banks’ terminal fees must be absorbed by merchants rather than passed on to consumers.
  • Consumers can report illegal surcharges through Profeco’s Telephone Consumer line, the Concilianet portal, local defense offices or official social media accounts.