Digital payment challenges in Mexico

Digital payment challenges in Mexico have emerged through both high operational costs and fraudulent activities. High merchant discount rates (MDR) are currently hindering the adoption of card payments among small businesses and corner stores. Average fees reach 2.94% for credit cards and 2.77% for debit cards, with some sectors like restaurants facing rates as high as 5.39%.

To manage these expenses, some merchants increase product prices or attempt to charge consumers additional fees at the point of sale. However, Condusef has warned that imposing surcharges of 3% to 5% for card use violates agreements and disincentivizes electronic payments.

Parallel to these cost concerns, sellers on social media and messaging platforms are being targeted by digital payment scams. These include fraudulent SPEI transfer receipts and ‘overpayment’ schemes, where buyers use manipulated screenshots—sometimes created with artificial intelligence—to trick sellers into returning supposed excess funds. Experts recommend verifying all transactions through official banking applications or the Banco de México Electronic Payment Receipt (CEP) system to prevent losses.