National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Key Tips to Avoid Scams

National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Key Tips to Avoid Scams

Each year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and its partners dedicate the first week of March to National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). For 2026, NCPW ran from March 1 through March 7, serving as a focused reminder that scams and identity theft don’t take a holiday—and neither should your awareness. While the official week has passed, the advice issued by the FTC remains just as relevant today as it was during the campaign.

What Happened During NCPW 2026

The FTC’s NCPW 2026 campaign centered on providing consumers with clear, practical guidance to avoid fraud and report scams when they occur. The agency released a series of alerts and educational materials aimed at the most common scams reported over the previous year. Based on FTC data, the top fraud categories in 2025–2026 included imposter scams, online shopping fraud, fake tech support, government impersonators, and romance scams. The campaign also highlighted the growing role of AI-generated content in phishing attempts and voice cloning.

Throughout the week, the FTC hosted free webinars, shared tip sheets, and encouraged consumers to visit ftc.gov/consumer for updated resources. Partner organizations—ranging from state attorneys general to nonprofit groups—also held local events and distributed materials. The overarching message: staying informed is your best defense.

Why It Matters

Scams are not a seasonal problem. According to the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network, Americans reported losing more than $10 billion to fraud in 2023, a number that has only grown since then. Even if you didn’t participate in NCPW events, the threats that the campaign addressed are still active. Phishing emails, fake phone calls from people claiming to be the IRS, and online shopping sites that never deliver goods remain common.

What makes these scams particularly damaging is that they target people of all ages and backgrounds. Many victims never recover their money, and identity theft can take months or years to resolve. That’s why understanding how to spot a scam before you lose money—and knowing exactly where to report it if you do fall victim—is essential.

What Readers Can Do Right Now

The FTC’s advice is straightforward and actionable. Here are the core recommendations that apply year-round:

• Recognize the red flags. Scammers often create a false sense of urgency, demand payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency, and refuse to let you verify their identity. Be suspicious of unsolicited calls, emails, or texts asking for personal information or money.
• Verify before you trust. If someone claims to be from a company or government agency, hang up and call the official number listed on their website. Do not use phone numbers provided in the message.
• Secure your accounts. Use a unique, strong password for each online account—preferably a passphrase or one generated by a password manager. Enable two-factor authentication wherever it is available.
• Keep your software updated. Install updates for your operating system, browser, and apps promptly. Many scams rely on exploiting known security holes that updates fix.
• Freeze your credit. You can freeze your credit reports at no cost with each of the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). This makes it harder for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name.

If you think you’ve been scammed, act quickly. Report the incident to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If it involves identity theft, visit IdentityTheft.gov for a step-by-step recovery plan tailored to your situation. You can also file a report with your local police department—especially if you lost money or had your identity stolen.

Sources and Free Resources

All of the information above comes directly from the FTC’s official consumer advice pages:

• ftc.gov/consumer – central hub for scam alerts, videos, and downloadable guides.
• IdentityTheft.gov – recovery plans for identity theft victims.
• ReportFraud.ftc.gov – the FTC’s online fraud reporting system.

The FTC also offers a free subscription to its Consumer Alerts newsletter, which delivers notifications about new scams and updates. You can sign up at ftc.gov/subscribe.

National Consumer Protection Week may be only one week on the calendar, but the practices it promotes—skepticism, verification, and quick reporting—work every day of the year. Bookmark the FTC’s consumer site and check in occasionally. It’s a small habit that can save you a lot of trouble.