Don’t Let Scammers Win: Essential Tips from the FTC’s Consumer Protection Week 2026

National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 wrapped up in early March, but the advice the Federal Trade Commission shared during that week is worth keeping at hand all year. Whether you missed the live webinars or just want a clear summary of the most practical steps, here’s what you need to know to spot scams, protect your identity, and know what to do if something goes wrong.

The FTC’s campaign this year focused on the idea that consumer protection isn’t a one-week event — it’s a daily habit. The agency released updated materials and encouraged people to talk about scams with family and friends. If you didn’t get a chance to participate, the core guidance is still available on the FTC’s website, and I’ve distilled the most actionable parts below.

What Happened During NCPW 2026

From March 1–7, the FTC partnered with consumer groups, state attorneys general, and other federal agencies to host events and publish alerts. The agency’s dedicated NCPW page (still live at ftc.gov/ncpw) offered free toolkits, videos, and downloadable one-pagers. Topics included the most common scams of the past year, how to freeze your credit, and how to report fraud.

While the FTC has not yet released its full 2026 consumer fraud data (that report typically comes later in the year), the 2025 data showed that imposter scams remained the top reported fraud category, with losses totaling over $3 billion. Online shopping scams and investment schemes, especially those involving cryptocurrency, continued to rise. There is no reason to think these trends reversed in 2026.

Why It Matters

Scams and identity theft affect millions of Americans each year. According to the FTC’s 2025 Consumer Sentinel Network report, consumers reported losing more than $10 billion to fraud — a record high. Older adults (60 and over) reported the highest median losses. But people in their 30s, 40s, and 50s are not immune; they are often targeted through phishing emails, fake job offers, and tech support calls.

The damage goes beyond money. Identity theft can wreck your credit, drain your bank accounts, and take months or years to untangle. The good news is that many attacks are preventable with a few consistent habits.

What Readers Can Do: A Practical Checklist

Here are the most important steps you can take, based on the FTC’s NCPW 2026 recommendations and ongoing consumer advice.

1. Know the Top Scams Targeting You

  • Imposter Scams: Someone pretending to be a government official (like Social Security or the IRS), a tech support agent, or a family member in distress. They ask for money via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Rule of thumb: Any call or text that demands immediate payment or threatens arrest is a scam. Hang up.
  • Online Shopping Scams: Fraudulent websites that look like real retailers, offering deals that are too good to be true. Often seen on social media ads. Check: Before you buy, search the company name plus “scam” or “complaint.”
  • Investment Scams: Promises of guaranteed high returns, often involving crypto or “risk-free” opportunities. Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person or who pressures you to act fast.

2. Lock Down Your Personal Information

  • Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication: Use a password manager so you don’t reuse passwords. Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) on every account that offers it (email, banking, social media, medical portals). If a scammer gets your password, MFA often stops them.
  • Credit Freeze: Freeze your credit at all three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). It’s free, and it prevents anyone from opening new accounts in your name. You can temporarily lift it when you apply for credit. Do it today at annualcreditreport.com.
  • Shred Sensitive Documents: Bank statements, medical bills, tax records — shred anything with personal details before throwing it away.

3. Act Fast If You Suspect a Scam or Identity Theft

If you think you’ve been scammed or your identity has been stolen, follow this sequence:

  • Contact your bank and credit card companies immediately to freeze accounts and dispute unauthorized charges.
  • Place a fraud alert or credit freeze at the three credit bureaus. A fraud alert is less restrictive and lasts one year; a credit freeze is stronger.
  • Change passwords on affected accounts and enable MFA.
  • Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. This helps law enforcement track patterns.
  • If your identity is stolen, go to IdentityTheft.gov to create a personalized recovery plan. The site walks you through step-by-step, including filing an identity theft report and contacting debt collectors.

4. Use Free Resources Year-Round

The FTC’s consumer education pages are updated regularly. Bookmark these:

  • ftc.gov/consumers — general consumer advice, scam alerts, videos, and podcasts.
  • consumer.ftc.gov — a clean, searchable hub for all topics.
  • ftc.gov/ncpw — NCPW materials, even after the event.
  • usa.gov — links to consumer protection agencies at state and federal levels.

Sources

  • Federal Trade Commission, “Welcome to NCPW 2026 – Consumer Advice,” ftc.gov/ncpw, March 2026.
  • Federal Trade Commission, “Get ready for NCPW 2026,” February 2026.
  • FTC Consumer Sentinel Network 2025 Data Book (used as proxy for 2026 trends, note that 2026 data not yet released).
  • IdentityTheft.gov and ReportFraud.ftc.gov official pages.

The FTC’s NCPW 2026 may be over, but the best defense against scammers is simply staying informed — and a little bit suspicious. Take ten minutes this week to freeze your credit, set up MFA on your email and bank accounts, and talk to one friend or relative about these tips. Those small steps make a real difference over time.