What the FTC Wants You to Know About Scams This National Consumer Protection Week

Every March, the Federal Trade Commission kicks off National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) – a concentrated effort to help people spot fraud and avoid losing money. This year, the agency’s message is straightforward: scammers are getting more convincing, but the basics of protecting yourself haven’t changed.

If you’re over 40, you’re in a demographic that fraudsters often target, but the advice applies to anyone who uses a phone, shops online, or receives unexpected messages. Here’s what the FTC highlighted and what you can do about it.

What happened

During NCPW 2026 (which ran from March 1–7), the FTC published a series of consumer alerts focusing on the most frequent complaints they see. The top categories were imposter scams, fake online stores, and investment fraud involving cryptocurrency and bogus prizes.

Government impersonators remain a favorite tactic: callers claim to be from the Social Security Administration, IRS, or even local law enforcement, demanding immediate payment or personal details. Tech support scams also continue – a pop-up window or a call saying your computer is infected leads to a request for remote access and a fee. On the shopping side, the FTC warned of websites that offer goods at steep discounts but never deliver, or send counterfeit items. And with the rise of crypto, investment pitches promising guaranteed returns are luring people into losing real money.

Why it matters

The numbers are sobering. In 2025, consumers reported losing over $10 billion to fraud, and older adults accounted for a disproportionate share. The emotional toll can be as damaging as the financial loss – many victims feel embarrassed or ashamed, which keeps them from reporting.

What makes these scams hard to stop is that they evolve quickly. A technique that worked a year ago may be replaced by a new variant using AI voice cloning or fake text messages that look like they come from your bank. The FTC’s guidance during NCPW isn’t just a set of warnings; it’s a practical reminder that prevention is still the most effective defense.

What readers can do

You don’t need to become an expert in fraud detection. Small habits can cut your risk significantly.

  • Verify before you act. If someone calls claiming to be from the government or a company you do business with, hang up and call the official number listed on their website or your statement. Do not use the number the caller gives you.
  • Pay with a credit card online. Credit cards offer better fraud protection than debit cards, cash, or wire transfers. Be wary of sellers who insist on payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or payment apps like Zelle or Venmo.
  • Check URLs and reviews. Before buying from an unfamiliar site, search the name plus “scam” or “review.” Look for typos, poor design, and contact info. If the deal seems too good, it probably is.
  • Don’t trust caller ID. Scammers can spoof numbers to look like a local business or a government agency. Treat any unsolicited request for personal information with suspicion.
  • Report it. If you encounter a scam or think you’ve been targeted, file a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps the FTC build cases and warn others. You can also contact your state attorney general’s office.

For those already victimized, act fast: call your bank or credit card issuer to stop payments, freeze your credit with the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion), and change passwords on accounts you think are compromised. The FTC’s IdentityTheft.gov site has step-by-step recovery plans.

Sources

This article draws on the FTC’s official consumer advice published during National Consumer Protection Week 2026, along with the agency’s annual fraud loss data. For direct details, visit ftc.gov/ncpw and ReportFraud.ftc.gov.