The Consumer Ombudsman (DC) has successfully recovered $32.2 million for 34,000 consumers so far in 2024, according to data shared by Ricardo Salazar, the head of the institution. The recovery comes as part of the DC’s efforts to resolve more than 118,000 cases this year, with over 92,000 inquiries and 25,000 formal complaints filed by consumers.
A significant portion of the funds recovered relates to the real estate sector, with $19.6 million returned to 2,682 families who had experienced contract breaches by developers. The financial sector saw a recovery of $8.8 million for 12,656 consumers, while the tourism sector contributed an additional $953,000 benefiting 529 individuals.
Salazar also highlighted that the Consumer Ombudsman’s Sanctioning Court has imposed fines totaling over $9.5 million since June 2019, underscoring the institution’s active role in consumer protection.
The Consumer Ombudsman has expanded its outreach and services, with 60% of cases being handled remotely through platforms like WhatsApp and call centers. This reflects the growing demand for accessible consumer protection across the country.
As the end of the year approaches, with key retail events like Black Friday driving significant commercial activity, the Ombudsman is preparing to intensify its efforts to protect consumers. Salazar noted that the institution is already focusing on verifying promotions and preventing misleading advertising ahead of major sales events. “We are working with more than 600 businesses nationwide to ensure consumer rights are respected,” he said. “Our goal is to eliminate deceptive advertising and ensure businesses comply with their promotions.”
The Consumer Ombudsman is also monitoring the prices of over 1,500 products and providing information to the public through its Compara portal, which helps consumers make informed decisions.
In addition to its focus on commercial sectors, Salazar highlighted the role of agricultural markets in reducing food prices. These government-backed initiatives eliminate the middleman, benefiting both producers and consumers by lowering the cost of fruits and vegetables.
With the continued efforts of the DC, Salvadoran consumers are gaining greater protections and benefits in an increasingly active marketplace.