National Consumer Protection Week 2026: FTC’s Top Tips to Outsmart Scammers

National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 wrapped up on March 6, but the advice the Federal Trade Commission shared during the campaign is worth holding onto all year. The FTC uses this annual event to spotlight the scams that are currently causing the most harm and to remind people of the practical steps they can take to protect themselves. Whether you followed along live or are just catching up, here are the key takeaways from this year’s campaign.

What happened during NCPW 2026

From March 2 to March 6, the FTC ran its annual consumer education push, publishing fresh content daily on its Consumer Advice blog, hosting webinars, and coordinating with partner organizations across the country. The agency focused on the scams and fraud trends that were most prevalent in 2025 and early 2026. Among the top warnings were:

  • AI-powered impersonation scams: Scammers are using voice cloning and deepfake video to pose as family members, bosses, or even government officials. The FTC noted that these tricks are becoming harder to spot because the audio or video can look and sound very real.
  • Fake online marketplaces: Social media ads and phony retail sites continue to lure shoppers with deals on popular items. Many victims pay and receive nothing, or get a counterfeit product.
  • Investment and cryptocurrency schemes: Promises of quick, high returns remain a staple of fraud, often promoted through social media influencers or fake celebrity endorsements.
  • Tech support scams: Callers claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple, or a known antivirus company try to get remote access to your computer or demand payment for unnecessary services.

The FTC also highlighted that in many of these cases, the scammer’s goal is to get you to act quickly before you have time to think. That sense of urgency—whether it’s a “limited-time offer” or a fake emergency call from a relative—is a common hallmark.

Why it matters

Scams are not a minor annoyance. According to FTC data from 2025, consumers reported losing more than $10 billion to fraud, and that’s only what gets reported. Many incidents go unreported because people feel embarrassed or unsure where to turn. Even small losses can disrupt a household’s finances. Beyond the money, identity theft can cause long-term headaches with credit scores, loan applications, and medical records.

The FTC’s NCPW campaign matters because it gives people a clear, authoritative source of information at a time when confusion and misinformation about scams is widespread. Knowing what to look for can make the difference between hanging up on a scammer and losing your savings.

What readers can do

You don’t have to wait for next year’s NCPW to put these protections in place. Here are the concrete steps the FTC emphasizes:

Spot the red flags. If someone contacts you unexpectedly and pressures you to send money, share personal information, or buy gift cards, stop. Scammers want you to act before you can verify. Take a moment. Hang up, log off, or close the email. Call the person or company using a number you know is legitimate, not the one the caller gave you.

Protect your accounts. Use strong, unique passwords for every online account, and turn on multi-factor authentication wherever it’s available. This dramatically reduces the risk of someone breaking into your email, bank, or social media accounts even if they steal your password.

Monitor your financial accounts. Check your bank and credit card statements regularly, at least once a month. Set up alerts for transactions above a certain amount. The sooner you spot something odd, the easier it is to dispute.

Freeze your credit. You can freeze your credit reports for free at all three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). This prevents scammers from opening new accounts in your name. It does not affect your existing accounts or credit score. You can temporarily lift the freeze when you need to apply for credit.

Report scams. If you or someone you know has been targeted, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps the agency build cases and warn others. You can also file a complaint with your state attorney general or local consumer protection office.

Use FTC resources year-round. The FTC’s Consumer Advice website (consumer.ftc.gov) has guides, videos, and downloadable materials on topics from avoiding job scams to protecting your privacy online. Many of the materials are also available in Spanish.

Technology will keep evolving, and scammers will adapt. But the core tactics—urgent demands, fake identities, offers that sound too good to be true—change much more slowly. Sticking with these basic habits will keep you safer than any single tool or service.

Sources

  • FTC, “Welcome to NCPW 2026 – Consumer Advice,” March 2, 2026. [Link]
  • FTC, “Get ready for NCPW 2026,” February 20, 2026. [Link]
  • FTC, “It’s time to start planning for NCPW 2026,” February 4, 2026. [Link]
  • FTC, Consumer Advice blog, consumer.ftc.gov (accessed April 2026).