What the FTC Wants You to Know for Consumer Protection Week 2026

Every March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a dedicated time to arm the public with knowledge against fraud. For 2026, the message remains urgent: scams are not only persistent but are constantly evolving. The digital landscape offers incredible convenience, but it also presents new opportunities for criminals. This year’s focus is on translating awareness into action, providing clear steps you can take to protect your money and personal information.

The Scams You’re Most Likely to Face

Based on recent FTC data and consumer reports, several scam categories continue to dominate and adapt. Being able to name them is the first step in stopping them.

  1. Phishing & Smishing: These are attempts to steal your login details, account numbers, or Social Security number through deceptive messages. Phishing comes via email, while “smishing” uses text messages (SMS). The 2026 twist often involves sophisticated impersonation of trusted entities like your bank, a package delivery service, or even a government agency like the FTC itself. The link or attachment aims to install malware or direct you to a convincing fake login page.
  2. Imposter Scams: This broad category involves someone pretending to be a person or organization you trust. This includes:
    • Tech Support Scams: Unsolicited calls, pop-up warnings, or emails claiming your computer is infected.
    • Government & Business Imposters: Calls from fake “IRS agents” threatening arrest or “social security officials” warning of a suspended number.
    • Family Emergency Scams: A frantic call or message pretending to be a grandchild or other relative in urgent need of money.
  3. Online Shopping & Social Media Fraud: Fake websites, bogus social media marketplace sellers, and deceptive ads lure consumers with “too-good-to-be-true” prices for popular items. You pay, but the item never arrives, or it’s a cheap counterfeit.

How to Spot the Red Flags

While scams change their costumes, the underlying tactics share common warning signs:

  • Urgency & Pressure: Scammers create a false crisis—threats of legal action, account closure, or a limited-time offer—to short-circuit your rational thinking.
  • Requests for Unusual Payment: They demand payment via wire transfer, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or peer-to-peer payment apps (like Venmo or Cash App) because these are difficult to trace and nearly impossible to reverse.
  • Too Good to Be True: Deep discounts on hot-ticket items, guaranteed high investment returns with no risk, or claims you’ve won a prize for a contest you never entered.
  • Spoofed Information: Caller ID can be faked (“spoofed”) to look like a local or legitimate number. Email “From” addresses can be subtly altered (e.g., [email protected] instead of amazon.com).

Actionable Steps to Lock Down Your Information

Knowledge is defense, but these proactive measures build your security:

  1. Strengthen Your Passwords & Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Use a unique, strong password for every important account (email, bank, social media). A password manager can help. Crucially, enable MFA (also called two-factor authentication) wherever it’s offered. This adds a second step—like a code from an app—to verify it’s really you.
  2. Monitor Your Accounts and Credit: Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized charges. You have the right to a free weekly credit report from each of the three nationwide bureaus through AnnualCreditReport.com. Consider placing a free credit freeze, which blocks most access to your credit report, making it harder for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name.
  3. Think Before You Click or Share: Never click links or open attachments in unsolicited messages. If you think a message from your bank might be real, go directly to their official website by typing the URL yourself or using a trusted app. Be cautious about what you share on social media; details like your pet’s name or mother’s maiden name can be used to answer security questions.

What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed

If you suspect you’ve been targeted or have lost money, acting quickly matters.

  1. Report It: File a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. This helps law enforcement spot trends and build cases. Also, report it to your local police department.
  2. Contact Your Financial Institutions: If you shared payment information or made a payment, call your bank, credit card company, or payment app immediately. They may be able to reverse a transaction or secure your account.
  3. Protect Your Identity: If you shared personal details like your Social Security number, visit the FTC’s identity theft recovery site at IdentityTheft.gov. It provides a personalized recovery plan and pre-filled letters for credit bureaus and businesses.

Staying Protected is an Ongoing Practice

National Consumer Protection Week is a valuable annual reminder, but effective defense against scams requires year-round vigilance. The core principles remain constant: slow down, question urgency, verify contacts independently, and guard your personal data. By incorporating these practical habits, you can confidently navigate the digital marketplace and shut down scammers before they ever get a chance.

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