National Consumer Protection Week 2026: FTC’s Key Advice to Stay Ahead of Scams

National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 ran from March 1–7, and as in previous years, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) used the occasion to release a collection of plain-language consumer tips. The agency’s “Welcome to NCPW 2026” page serves as a central hub for advice on the most common frauds, practical steps to shield your finances, and instructions for reporting problems. While the official week has passed, the guidance is evergreen—scams don’t take holidays, and the same red flags appear year after year.

What Happened

The FTC published its annual NCPW welcome page in late February 2026, following earlier planning announcements. The page gathers resources focused on the scams that consumers encounter most frequently:

  • Imposter scams – calls, emails, or texts where someone pretends to be a government agency, a tech support representative, or a family member in distress.
  • Online shopping fraud – deals that look too good to be true, counterfeit goods, and fake websites that take your payment and disappear.
  • Phishing attempts – unsolicited messages that try to trick you into handing over passwords, account numbers, or other sensitive details.

The FTC also highlights common pressure tactics: a demand to pay by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency; threats of arrest or account suspension; and an insistence that you act immediately.

Why It Matters

Consumer fraud is not a niche problem. According to FTC data, Americans reported losing over $10 billion to scams in 2023, and the numbers have trended upward. NCPW exists to counter this by making prevention advice easy to find and share. Even a few minutes spent reviewing the agency’s tips can save someone from a costly mistake. The advice is practical and free—no product to buy, no service to sign up for.

Beyond individual losses, fraud undermines trust in everyday transactions. Knowing how to identify a scam protects not only your money but also your personal information, which fraudsters can use for identity theft.

What Readers Can Do

The FTC’s recommendations can be boiled down to a handful of concrete actions:

  • Freeze your credit. This prevents criminals from opening accounts in your name. It’s free and can be done online with each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). Unfreeze temporarily when you need to apply for credit.
  • Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible. A password manager can help you keep track.
  • Ignore unsolicited contacts. If someone calls, texts, or emails out of the blue claiming to be from a company or agency, hang up and contact the organization using a number you know is legitimate.
  • Never pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to someone you don’t know. Legitimate businesses and government offices do not demand payment this way.
  • Report scams promptly at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you suspect identity theft, visit IdentityTheft.gov for a step-by-step recovery plan.
  • Share what you learn. One of the simplest defenses is talking about scams with friends, family, and neighbors. Awareness spreads faster than fraud.

Sources

  • Federal Trade Commission. “Welcome to NCPW 2026 – Consumer Advice.” Published March 2, 2026.
    Link to article
  • Federal Trade Commission. “Get ready for NCPW 2026 – Consumer Advice.” Published February 20, 2026.
    Link to article
  • Federal Trade Commission. “It’s time to start planning for NCPW 2026 – Consumer Advice.” Published February 4, 2026.
    Link to article

This article summarizes publicly available FTC advice. For the most current information, visit the FTC’s official consumer website.