Don’t Get Scammed: Your Practical Guide to National Consumer Protection Week

National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is here again. For 2026, the Federal Trade Commission and its partners are highlighting one of the most crucial aspects of modern life: how to spot, avoid, and report scams. It’s a yearly reminder that while technology brings convenience, it also opens new doors for fraudsters. This isn’t about fear; it’s about building simple, effective habits that protect your money and your personal information.

What You’re Up Against: Today’s Common Scams

Scammers constantly refine their tactics, but several schemes remain persistently effective. Knowing what they look like is your first line of defense.

  • Impersonation Scams: This is a top threat. Someone contacts you pretending to be from a trusted organization—your bank, a government agency like the Social Security Administration, a tech support company, or even a family member in distress. They create a sense of urgency, pressure, or fear to get you to act quickly, often by wiring money, buying gift cards, or sharing personal details.
  • Phishing and Smishing: These are fraudulent messages designed to steal your login credentials or install malware. “Phishing” comes via email, while “smishing” uses text messages. They often mimic legitimate companies, urging you to click a link to “verify your account” or “claim a prize.” The link leads to a fake login page or triggers a malicious download.
  • Online Shopping Fraud: This includes fake websites, social media marketplace scams where items are never delivered, and bogus customer service numbers that pop up in search results when you’re looking for help. The adage “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is” still holds.
  • Romance Scams: Scammers build relationships on dating apps or social media, gain trust, and then fabricate a crisis requiring financial help.

What You Can Do: Practical Steps to Protect Yourself

Knowledge is power, but action is what keeps you safe. Integrate these practices into your routine.

1. Pause and Verify. The universal tool against scams is a deliberate pause. Any message, call, or email that demands immediate action or payment should be treated with skepticism. Do not use contact information provided by the suspicious party. Instead, find the official website or customer service number yourself and contact them directly to verify the claim.

2. Fortify Your Accounts.

  • Use Strong, Unique Passwords: A password manager can generate and store complex passwords for each of your accounts.
  • Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This adds a critical second step (like a code sent to your phone) to the login process, making it much harder for thieves to access your accounts even if they have your password.

3. Guard Your Personal Information. Be highly selective about what you share online and who you share it with. Your Social Security number, bank account details, and one-time passcodes are keys to your identity. No legitimate company or agency will call, email, or text to ask for them out of the blue.

4. Pay Wisely. If you’re making a purchase from someone you don’t know, use a payment method that offers fraud protection, like a credit card. Be extremely wary of anyone who insists on payment via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards—these are the preferred methods of scammers because the money is nearly impossible to trace or recover.

If Something Seems Wrong: How to Respond

If you suspect you’re being targeted, or worse, if you’ve already paid a scammer, it’s important to act quickly.

  1. Stop All Contact. Cease communication with the suspected scammer immediately.
  2. Secure Your Accounts. If you clicked a link or shared passwords, change those passwords immediately. Run a security scan on your device.
  3. Report It. Reporting scams is vital. It helps law enforcement track trends and can sometimes help recover funds.
    • ReportFraud.ftc.gov: This is the FTC’s primary website for filing reports about scams, identity theft, and deceptive business practices.
    • Your Bank or Credit Card Company: Contact them immediately if you’ve sent money or shared financial information. They may be able to stop a payment or secure your account.
    • Local Law Enforcement: File a report with your local police department, especially for larger losses or threats.

Staying Protected Beyond This Week

The principles highlighted during National Consumer Protection Week are year-round necessities. Consider signing up for consumer alerts directly from the FTC at ftc.gov/subscribe. These free updates can keep you informed about new scams as they emerge.

Protecting yourself isn’t about being paranoid—it’s about being prepared. By slowing down, verifying requests, and knowing how to report suspicious activity, you take control and make it much harder for scammers to succeed. Let’s use this week to reinforce those good habits.

Sources:

  • Federal Trade Commission, “Welcome to NCPW 2026 - Consumer Advice”
  • Federal Trade Commission, “This NCPW, let’s talk about impersonation scams” (2023)
  • FTC Consumer Advice publications on phishing, online shopping fraud, and romance scams.