Businesses Fined Up to 2.3M Pesos for Credit Card Fees

Mexico — Charging an additional fee for payments made with credit or debit cards is not just a poor business practice—it is a violation of the Federal Consumer Protection Law (LFPC) and can result in hefty fines. According to Article 7 Bis of the law, the final price of any product or service must include all charges, with no surprise fees added at checkout.

Legal Consequences for Non-Compliance

The LFPC mandates that providers must clearly and visibly display the total price to be paid, including taxes, commissions, interest, insurance, or any other additional charges. In other words, businesses cannot tack on extra costs at the time of payment. Violating this provision can lead to fines ranging from 733.04 pesos to 2,345,728.71 pesos, as outlined in Article 127 of the law.

Terminal Usage Fees Are Prohibited

The Federal Consumer Protection Agency (Profeco) emphasizes that no business is permitted to impose an extra charge for using a bank terminal. Contracts signed between banks and merchants, registered with the National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Financial Services Users (Condusef), explicitly prohibit such fees. In fact, charging these unauthorized fees may result in the bank terminating its contract with the offending business.

Tipping Must Remain Voluntary

Another key point is that tips cannot be automatically included in the bill as a mandatory charge. While tipping is commonly offered as a gratuity for service, it cannot be demanded or added to the total without the customer’s consent. This is regulated under Article 10 of the LFPC, which prohibits coercive or abusive commercial practices by providers.

How Consumers Can Report Violations

If a business imposes unauthorized fees or includes mandatory tips, consumers can file a complaint through one of the following channels:

• Consumer Hotline: 55 5568 8722 or 800 468 8722 (toll-free within Mexico)
• Email: denunciasprofeco@profeco.gob.mx
• X (formerly Twitter): @AtencionProfeco or @Profeco
• Facebook: ProfecoOficial

Complaints can also be submitted in person at any of the 38 Consumer Defense Offices (ODECO) across the country.

This enforcement underscores the government’s commitment to protecting consumers from unfair pricing practices and ensuring transparency in financial transactions.