Uruguay’s Ministry of Economy and Finance published its 2025 report on the Consumer Protection Unit (Udeco), showing a 1.7% annual increase in consumer cases and favorable mediation outcomes for 83% of financial services complaints. The unit also conducted more than 10,000 inspection procedures, with procedures involving e-commerce stores increasing by 10%. Products, services and financial services remained the areas generating the most consumer disputes, in that order. Recurring problems included product nondelivery, debt restructuring and failures to meet contractual or warranty obligations. Financial services disputes also involved inadequate information, customer service problems and improper or abusive charges. The favorable mediation outcome rate for products and nonfinancial services was 58%. Some agreements were reached through asynchronous mediation without proceeding to a hearing. Vehicle recalls accounted for the largest share of reported safety alerts, with suppliers facing difficulties locating current owners of older vehicles. The report describes a provision proposed by Udeco in the law on the 2025 accounts requiring insurers to trace and notify policyholders whose vehicles are subject to recalls. Its demographic analysis also found that consumers over 65 submitted fewer cases, but their cases were concentrated in health and financial services.

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