Consumer Affairs
The Consumer Affairs Division brings cases on behalf of the people of the State of New Mexico using its authority to protect the people, rather than on behalf of another state agency. These bureaus work to protect New Mexicans and to recover debts, damages and penalties for the state in a wide variety of contexts.
Consumer Protection
The Consumer Protection Bureau is dedicated to the protection of New Mexico citizens, including the most vulnerable residents of this State. The Division collects reports, receives complaints and conducts investigations, and litigates when necessary, to stop unfair and deceptive practices, recover refunds for consumers, seek penalties against offending entities, and recover costs and fees to ensure that wrongdoers pay for their actions. The Division also provides information and education to businesses and the public on consumer matters and issues alerts and press releases to warn consumers and businesses about fraudulent or predatory activities.
The Division pursues protection of New Mexicans through various consumer laws and mechanisms as described below:
- Unfair Practices Act: The Division enforces the Unfair Practices Act to stop unfair and deceptive practices.
- Fraud Against Taxpayers Act: The Division pursues recovery for New Mexico taxpayers and works confidentially with whistleblowers who identify fraud and false claims which deplete the public treasury.
- Antitrust: The Division represents the State of New Mexico in a variety of legal matters related to the enforcement of New Mexico’s antitrust laws. This work is intended to ensure fair competition among businesses and to protect consumers.
- Tobacco Enforcement: The Attorney General is charged with enforcement of the Master Settlement Agreement. The Division enforces the agreement by filing lawsuits against cigarette companies that fail to abide by their legal obligations; auditing escrow payments made by non-participating manufacturers for sales in the state; requiring compliance by the manufacturers to the statutory reporting requirements.
Utilities
The Utilities Unit at the New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ) works to ensure fair energy rates, protect consumers, and hold utility companies accountable. Representing New Mexico’s ratepayers, the Unit has been instrumental in reducing proposed rate increases, securing financial assistance for vulnerable households, and advancing both environmental and economic justice.
Key Wins for New Mexicans:
- Lowered Rate Hike: NMDOJ reduced Public Service Company of New Mexico’s (PNM) proposed rate increase from $23 to $9.79 per month by 2026—phased in gradually to minimize the burden on customers.
- Financial Relief: Secured a $1.5 million shareholder-funded donation from PNM to the Good Neighbor Fund, offering bill assistance to low-income households.
- Revenue Reduction: Cut PNM’s requested $174.5 million annual revenue increase down to $105 million—directly protecting consumers’ wallets.
The Unit also appealed PNM’s plan to transfer its interest in the Four Corners Power Plant, a move that would have prolonged coal use and shifted nearly $85 million in costs to customers. The New Mexico Supreme Court upheld the challenge, affirming PNM’s investment as “imprudent” and blocking the cost transfer.
Through legal advocacy and expert negotiation, the NMDOJ Utilities Unit is delivering tangible results for New Mexico families: lower bills, greater transparency, and a cleaner energy future.
Charities
The Charities Unit at the NMDOJ works to monitor and enforce the Charitable Solicitations Act, NMSA 1978 § 57-22, ensuring charities operating in New Mexico are registered and in good standing with the NMDOJ. Additionally, the Charities Unit maintains the New Mexico Charitable Organization Registration Online System (NM-COROS).
Charitable organizations that exist, operate, or solicit donations within the state are required to register with the NMDOJ through NM-COROS and submit annual reports. Registration information collected in NM-COROS is made available to the public through the New Mexico Charity Search, allowing the public to vet organizations and make informed decisions when donating.
More information about charity registration requirements can be found here.
