National Consumer Protection Week 2026: How to Spot Scams and Protect Your Money

National Consumer Protection Week 2026 runs from March 2 through March 8. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) uses this week each year to highlight free resources, share data on current scams, and encourage consumers to take simple steps to protect themselves. If you haven’t paid much attention to consumer protection before, this is a good time to start — but the advice applies all year.

What is National Consumer Protection Week?

National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is a coordinated effort led by the FTC along with federal and state agencies, consumer groups, and advocacy organizations. The goal is straightforward: give people the tools they need to avoid fraud and identity theft, and to know what to do if they become victims. The FTC’s consumer advice page at consumer.ftc.gov serves as the central hub for materials, webinars, and partner events during the week.

Top scams to watch for in 2026

According to FTC reports and consumer complaints over the past year, a few categories consistently cause the most harm. No two scams look exactly alike, but the patterns are worth knowing:

  • Imposter scams. Someone pretends to be a government official, a tech support agent, a relative in distress, or a well-known business. They pressure you to send money or share personal information. The FTC has noted that these scams remain the most reported category, with losses often involving gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
  • Online shopping fraud. Fake websites, social media ads for products that never arrive, and phony payment portals are all common. During NCPW 2026, the FTC is specifically warning about lookalike retailer sites and too-good-to-be-true deals on high-demand items.
  • Investment and cryptocurrency scams. Fraudsters promise high returns with little risk, often using fake testimonials and pressure to “act now.” Losses can be substantial, and recovering money is difficult.

Scammers adapt quickly. What works today might shift next month, so it pays to stay aware of new tactics. The FTC updates its scam alerts regularly on the consumer advice site.

Why this matters for you

Fraud isn’t just a problem for the elderly or the less tech-savvy. The FTC’s data shows that people in every age group report losses, and younger adults actually lose money to investment and employment scams at higher rates than older generations. Identity theft can damage your credit, drain your accounts, and take months or years to resolve. Taking preventive steps before something happens is far simpler than cleaning up after.

What you can do right now

You don’t need to become an expert. A few practical actions can reduce your risk significantly:

  • Protect your personal information. Don’t share your Social Security number, bank account details, or passwords unless you initiated the contact and know exactly who you’re dealing with. Use strong, unique passwords for each account and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.
  • Verify before you trust. If someone calls, emails, or texts claiming to be from a company or government agency, hang up and call back using a number you find on the official website. Scammers can spoof caller ID and email addresses.
  • Freeze your credit. Placing a security freeze at the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) prevents identity thieves from opening new accounts in your name. It’s free and can be done online in minutes. You can temporarily lift it when you apply for credit yourself.
  • Report fraud as soon as you spot it. Go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov to file a complaint with the FTC. The information helps law enforcement track scams and may lead to investigations. If you believe your identity has been stolen, visit IdentityTheft.gov for a step-by-step recovery plan.

Free resources during NCPW 2026

The FTC and its partners are hosting webinars and sharing downloadable guides throughout the week. You can find a schedule and materials at consumer.ftc.gov/features/national-consumer-protection-week. Many libraries and local consumer protection offices also hold in-person events — check with your city or state attorney general’s office.

Even if you can’t attend an event, the online guides cover topics like avoiding job scams, protecting your medical information, and handling unexpected debt collection calls. They are free to download and share.

Bottom line

National Consumer Protection Week is a useful reminder, but the advice applies every day. Watch for common scam patterns, protect your personal information, and report fraud promptly when you encounter it. The FTC’s website is a reliable starting point, and there’s no cost to using it.

Sources: FTC Consumer Advice (consumer.ftc.gov), FTC Data Spotlight reports on fraud losses, and NCPW 2026 official materials.