Pro Consumidor intervenes in conflict over the removal of card terminals at fuel stations

The National Institute for the Protection of Consumer Rights (Pro Consumidor) reported this Tuesday that several State institutions are managing a solution to the conflict between the National Association of Gasoline Retailers (Anadegas) and the providers of electronic payment devices known as verifones.

The executive director of Pro Consumidor, Eddy Alcántara, explained that the talks are being led by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs (MICM), with the participation of that institution and other public entities, with the purpose of reaching an agreement between the parties.

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Alcántara called on Anadegas to act with “sensibility” and allow the authorities to continue conversations to seek a resolution to the conflict without affecting consumers who use bank cards to pay for fuel.

“The parties have to reach an agreement, because the consumer cannot be affected”, the official stated.

Pro Consumidor indicated that it is maintaining follow-up on the process and conversations with Anadegas executives, while the institutions involved seek to prevent differences between fuel retailers and payment service providers from limiting the options available to users.

The conflict arises after Anadegas announced that it will remove the verifones from the more than 700 affiliated stations starting on September 25, a measure that could modify the payment alternatives with cards at hundreds of service stations in the country.

Given this scenario, Alcántara reiterated that any agreement must ensure that consumers are not harmed and that they can have different alternatives to pay for fuel.