National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Practical Advice to Avoid Scams and Fraud

Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a coalition of government agencies, advocacy groups, and businesses run National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). The 2026 edition took place March 2–6, and its goal was straightforward: give people the tools to recognize, avoid, and report fraud, identity theft, and other consumer scams. Even though the week itself has passed, the guidance remains timely. Here’s a look at what was covered and how you can apply the advice year-round.

What Happened During NCPW 2026

The FTC kicked off NCPW 2026 with new consumer alerts and updated resources on its website. Partner organizations—including AARP, the Better Business Bureau, and state attorneys general offices—held virtual workshops, distributed tip sheets, and shared social media campaigns. The emphasis was on scams that had been particularly active in the preceding months: fake job offers, impersonator calls, phishing texts, and investment fraud tied to cryptocurrency.

For consumers, the core message was that most scams follow a pattern—unexpected contact, an urgent request for money or personal information, and pressure to act immediately. Recognizing that pattern is more reliable than trying to memorize every new variation.

Why It Matters

Fraud is not a niche problem. According to the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network, Americans reported losing over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, and the numbers have risen each year since. Many victims are older adults, but younger generations are also heavily targeted through social media and online marketplaces. Beyond the financial hit, identity theft can damage credit and take months to resolve.

National Consumer Protection Week matters because it is a concentrated push to make basic prevention knowledge widespread. The advice is not new, but it takes repetition for habits to stick. The FTC’s guidance is also free, independent, and regularly updated—unlike some paid “protection” services that may overpromise.

What You Can Do: Practical Steps

Whether you caught the NCPW events or not, you can put the same principles to work.

1. Know the Most Common Scams Right Now

Imposter scams remain the single largest category. Someone calls, texts, or emails pretending to be a government official (e.g., the Social Security Administration), a tech support representative, or a family member in trouble. The request is always for payment via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency—methods that are nearly impossible to reverse.

Phishing is also rampant: look for messages that create urgency (e.g., “Your account will be suspended”) and contain links or attachments. If you’re unsure, go directly to the organization’s official website instead of clicking.

2. Protect Your Personal Information

  • Don’t share sensitive data online unless you initiated the contact. Banks and government agencies will not call or text asking for your password, Social Security number, or full credit card number.
  • Enable multi-factor authentication on email, banking, and social media accounts. It adds an extra step for login but blocks most account takeovers.
  • Freeze your credit with the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). It is free and prevents new accounts from being opened in your name without your permission.

3. Report Suspected Fraud Promptly

If you spot a scam or think you may have been tricked, report it. The FTC accepts reports at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps authorities track trends and, in some cases, leads to action against scammers. You can also contact your state attorney general’s consumer protection office and, if identity theft is involved, visit IdentityTheft.gov for a step-by-step recovery plan.

4. Talk to Others About Scams

One of the most effective countermeasures is simply talking about fraud with friends and family. Scammers rely on secrecy and shame. When people know that a certain call is a known scam, they are far less likely to fall for it. You can share the FTC’s consumer alerts directly from consumer.ftc.gov.

Sources and Further Reading

  • FTC – Consumer Advice: consumer.ftc.gov (includes a searchable database of scam alerts and guides)
  • ReportFraud.ftc.gov – the official platform to file a complaint with the FTC
  • IdentityTheft.gov – guided recovery if your personal information has been misused
  • NCPW 2026 page: while the event week is over, the materials remain available at the FTC’s site under “National Consumer Protection Week”

The FTC also partners with organizations like the American Bankers Association, Microsoft, and the National Cyber Security Alliance; their websites may offer additional tips but are not substitutes for the core advice above.

The window for NCPW 2026 is closed, but the window for protecting yourself never shuts. If you take one thing away from this year’s campaign, let it be this: slow down. Scammers rush you. Legitimate institutions don’t. That pause to verify is often all that stands between you and a loss.