In the period from June 2019 to March 2024, the Consumer Ombudsman’s Office reported that the most reported sectors were real estate, transportation, financial services and household appliances.
The president of the Consumer Ombudsman’s Office, Ricardo Salazar, announced this Friday that during the administration of President Nayib Bukele, $103.2 million were recovered for the benefit of 540,287 Salvadorans. These figures, revealed within the framework of National and World Consumer Day, highlight the government’s commitment to protecting citizens in their commercial activity.
“We have 93% effectiveness in closed cases in favor of the population, the result of strategies that we have promoted at the national level, including greater coverage, consumer empowerment and facilitation of services,” Salazar stated.
Of the $103.2 million recovered, more than $73.5 million came from cases processed collectively, benefiting 495,016 consumers. The rest, more than $27.6 million, corresponds to individual cases, benefiting 45,271 people.
Salazar detailed that 84% of the recovered funds come from four main sectors: real estate with $46.2 million, transportation with $16.9 million, financial services with $11.4 million and appliances with $10.6 million.
Likewise, it noted that the main violations reported included breach of contract and offer, right of withdrawal and withdrawal from purchase, improper charges and abusive clauses.
The official also indicated that during this period more than $7 million in fines have been imposed on 1,700 suppliers that violate the consumer protection legal frameworks.