Costa Rica faces rising debt and digital fraud risks during holiday season

As the holiday season approaches in Costa Rica, financial and security experts are warning citizens of increased economic vulnerabilities. According to the 2025 National Indebtedness Survey by the Financial Consumer Office (OCF), approximately 87 percent of adults in the country carry debt, with citizens spending an average of 34 percent of their monthly earnings on debt servicing.

Legal expert Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas emphasizes that year-end financial planning must include proper income tax declarations and the timely payment of the mandatory 'aguinaldo' bonus to avoid administrative penalties from the Ministry of Finance.

Simultaneously, cybersecurity experts are reporting an intensification of digital scams targeting consumers during major shopping events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Fraudsters are increasingly using social engineering and psychological pressure to manipulate victims into making irreversible bank transfers or providing sensitive information through fake online storefronts and manipulated payment receipts.