PROFECO – FEDERAL CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY
CONDUSEF – NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR THE PROTECTION AND DEFENSE OF FINANCIAL SERVICES USERS
Historically, Mexican consumers have not had as many rights as those in the NAFTA counterpart countries of the United States or Canada. A buyer-beware mentality prevails in Mexico instead of the “customer is always first” mantra . Fortunately, there have been advances, led by the federal consumer protection agency, PROFECO, now a quarter century old. In fact, government websites are leading the way in showcasing the work of consumer protection.
PROFECO – FEDERAL CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY
As the lead government agency in the protection of consumers, PROFECO (abbreviated from its Spanish title, Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor) has the power to mediate disputes, investigate consumer complaints, order hearings, levy fines and do price-check inspections of merchants. The Spanish-language website provides a directory of its offices throughout the country, as well as details about making complaints and an archive of its press releases. Its magazine “Revista del Consumidor” is not online, though you will find subscription information.
CONDUSEF – NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR THE PROTECTION AND DEFENSE OF FINANCIAL SERVICES USERS
CONDUSEF (Comisión Nacional para la Protección y Defensa de los Usuarios de Servicios Financieros) is a decentralized agency which serves “to promote, advise, protect and defend the rights and interest of the persons who utilize or hire a financial product or service offered by the Financial Institutions operating within the Mexican territory.”
