A Complete Guide to Paying Your CFE Bill Online

If you own property or live in Mexico, you likely receive a monthly electric bill from CFE (Comisión Federal de Electricidad). Traditionaly, CFE bills had to be paid in person at an Oxxo store using cash. But today, CFE offers online bill payment options that make it fast and easy to pay your bill digitally.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk through the different ways to pay your CFE electric bill online using the CFE website, online remittance services, Mexican bank accounts, and more.

Overview of Paying CFE Bills Online

CFE is Mexico’s state-owned electric company that provides power to over 37 million customers nationwide. They are the largest electric utility in Mexico.

Residential and business CFE customers receive a bill (recibo de luz) each month that must be paid by the due date to avoid late fees and service interruptions

While CFE bills have historically only been payable in person using cash new online options exist including

• CFE website – Register your account to pay directly on the CFE website
• Online remittance services – Xoom, Western Union, etc. allow online CFE bill pay
• Mexican bank accounts – Pay through your bank’s website if you have a Mexican bank account
• Mobile apps – Some banks offer bill pay right from their mobile app

These digital payment methods offer convenient ways to pay your CFE bill fully online, often from outside Mexico.

Step-by-Step Guide to Paying CFE Online

Here are the detailed steps to pay your electric bill digitally using the most common online payment options:

Paying CFE Bills on the CFE Website

Paying directly on the CFE website involves a few steps to setup but allows you to pay without any third parties.

1. Register for a CFE online account – Go to the CFE website and register using your account info and address.

2. Add your Mexican bank account – Under “Cuentas CFE”, link your Mexican bank account to pay from.

3. Login and view your bill – Check your CFE statement online to see your current balance due.

4. Make a payment – Select “Pagar” and complete the payment from your linked Mexican bank account.

The CFE website currently only accepts Mexican-issued credit/debit cards and Mexico bank accounts. This payment method is best for residents with Mexican bank accounts.

Paying CFE Through Online Remittance Services

Digital remittance services like Xoom allow you to instantly pay CFE bills completely online using your US or Canadian bank account/credit card.

To pay CFE bills through Xoom:

• Create a free Xoom account and add your US/Canadian debit/credit card details.

• Select CFE as a biller and enter your CFE account number.

• Xoom fetches your balance due and you enter the payment amount.

• Pay your CFE bill with one click using your US or Canadian bank account/card.

• Xoom notifies CFE to process the payment within 1-2 business days.

Xoom is owned by PayPal and charges around a $5 payment fee. Other remittance services like Western Union, Remitly, and Pangea Money Transfer have similar CFE bill pay options.

Paying Through a Mexican Bank Website

If you already have a chequing account with a major Mexican bank like BBVA Bancomer, Santander, Banorte, or HSBC, you can easily pay your CFE bill directly through their website.

Here’s how to pay CFE bills through BBVA Bancomer’s online banking:

1. Login to your Bancomer account online.

2. Go to Payments and select CFE as the payee.

3. Enter your CFE account number and amount due.

4. Review and confirm the CFE payment from your Bancomer account balance.

Most large Mexican banks allow online bill pay through their websites, saving you trips to Oxxo. Just link your CFE account.

Paying CFE Through Mobile Apps

In addition to websites, many Mexican banks also offer mobile apps for convenient CFE bill payment.

For example, the Bancomer Móvil app allows you to:

• Log in with your app password or fingerprint

• Go to Bill Payments and select CFE

• Enter the payment details and amount

• Pay your CFE bill instantly from your Bancomer account

CFE also has their own “CFE Contigo” mobile app on iPhone and Android for easy bill payment.

Tips for Paying CFE Online

Follow these tips for successfully paying CFE bills digitally:

• Double check your CFE account number when setting up payments to avoid errors.

• Always pay at least 2-3 days before the due date given processing time.

• Save/print payment confirmations for your records.

• If possible, setup auto-pay directly from your bank account for convenience.

• Watch your bank/CFE account to ensure timely payment posting.

• Contact CFE or your bank immediately if issues arise with online payments.

Paying online provides proof of payment and peace of mind that your CFE bill is settled each month.

Avoid Late Fees and Service Disruptions

Paying CFE bills online helps avoid costly late payment fees and power shutoffs.

If residential bills are unpaid for 10+ days after the due date, CFE applies a 5% penalty. After 30 days without payment, CFE can suspend electric service until outstanding amounts are paid.

Meeting tight CFE due dates can be difficult when traveling or living abroad. Paying online ensures your payment posts promptly so your service stays active.

Is Paying CFE Bills Online Safe?

Yes, paying CFE bills through legitimate online payment providers like CFE, Mexican banks, Xoom, Western Union, etc. is safe and secure.

These companies use the latest data encryption, cybersecurity protections, and fraud monitoring technology to safeguard your information and money.

Some tips:

• Only pay through official CFE and bank websites – avoid shady third party links

• Use unique and complex passwords

• Monitor bank/CFE accounts frequently for any suspicious activity

• Contact provider immediately if you suspect unauthorized charges or access

Take advantage of text/email alerts offered by many banks and online services for added security.

Which Online Payment Method Should I Use?

The best way to pay your CFE bill online depends on your situation:

• CFE website – Best if you have a Mexican bank account and want to pay directly without fees.

• Xoom/Western Union – Ideal for US/Canadian residents without Mexican bank accounts.

• Mexican bank website – Convenient if you already do your banking at a Mexican institution.

• Mobile apps – Provides easy bill pay on-the-go if you bank with a Mexican institution.

Evaluate which option works best for you based on where you live, if you have Mexican bank accounts, and how much convenience you want.

Pay CFE Bills Online Seamlessly

Paying CFE electric bills online is now fast and straightforward from anywhere using the CFE website, banks, remittance services, and mobile apps.

Avoid late fees, service disruptions, and trips to Oxxo by paying digitally. Setup alerts for peace of mind and always verify payments posted properly.

Use this guide to choose the best online CFE payment method for your needs and say goodbye to the hassle of in-person cash payments for good!