National Consumer Protection Week 2026: What the FTC Wants You to Know

National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 took place from March 2 to 6, and the Federal Trade Commission used the annual event to push out its latest fraud prevention guidance. While the week has passed, the advice doesn’t expire. Here’s a practical recap of the most important tips and resources that any consumer can use year-round.

What Happened

The FTC, along with partner organizations, focused on the scams that are costing Americans the most money and causing the most distress. Based on the agency’s consumer complaint data and the materials published for NCPW 2026, three categories received the most attention:

  • Government imposter scams. Callers pretending to be from the Social Security Administration, the IRS, or Medicare remain a top threat. The FTC warned that these scammers use spoofed phone numbers and threaten arrest or lawsuit unless you pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
  • Tech support scams. Pop-up warnings on your computer claiming you have a virus, followed by a phone number to call, are almost always fake. The scammers ask for remote access to your device and then demand payment for unnecessary “repairs.”
  • Online shopping scams. Fraudulent websites that mimic legitimate retailers, especially during sales events, were flagged again. Social media ads for deep discounts on popular items often lead to knockoffs or nothing at all. The same applies to fake ticket sales and vacation rental listings.

Phishing emails and texts were also a cross-cutting theme. The FTC noted that many scams start with a message that appears to come from a bank, a delivery company, or a utility provider, asking you to click a link or confirm personal information.

Why It Matters

The scale of fraud is substantial. According to the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network, consumers reported losing billions of dollars to fraud in recent years, and the numbers have been rising. Imposter scams alone account for a large share of reported losses, and older adults are disproportionately targeted.

What makes NCPW important is that it pushes this information into the open and gives consumers a structured way to learn what to watch for. The scams evolve, but the patterns remain stable: urgency, secrecy, demand for unusual payment methods, and a fake authority figure.

What Readers Can Do

Here are the actionable steps the FTC recommends, based directly on their NCPW 2026 materials.

1. Recognize the red flags

  • No legitimate government agency will call to demand immediate payment, especially with gift cards or cryptocurrency.
  • Tech support from Microsoft, Apple, or any other company will not contact you by pop-up or unsolicited phone call.
  • If an online deal looks too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Check the retailer’s URL, look for bad grammar, and search for reviews before buying.

2. Protect your personal information

  • Don’t share your Social Security number, bank account details, or passwords with someone who contacts you unprompted.
  • Use strong, unique passwords for each account and enable two-factor authentication where available.
  • Freeze your credit with the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) if you are not planning to apply for new credit soon. It is free and stops identity thieves from opening accounts in your name.

3. If you have been scammed

  • Stop all contact with the scammer.
  • Contact your bank or credit card company immediately to try to reverse the transaction.
  • Change passwords on any accounts that may have been compromised.
  • Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps the agency track trends and take enforcement action.
  • Report identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov to get a personalized recovery plan.

4. Stay informed year-round

The FTC publishes consumer alerts regularly. You can sign up for them at ftc.gov/Subscribe. Also, consider following local law enforcement or state consumer protection offices, as they often share alerts about regional scams.

Sources

National Consumer Protection Week may only happen once a year, but the habits it promotes—questioning unexpected contact, protecting personal data, and reporting fraud—are worth practicing every day.