National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Key Takeaways to Stay Ahead of Scams

National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 ran from March 2 through March 6. If you missed the events or the flurry of online posts, don’t worry—the advice the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shared remains useful year-round. This article recaps what happened, why it matters even after the week is over, and what concrete steps you can take right now to protect yourself.

What Happened During NCPW 2026

The FTC and its partners used the week to highlight the most common scams reported by consumers and to distribute free educational resources. The agency’s “Welcome to NCPW 2026” page on consumer.ftc.gov served as a central hub for downloadable guides, tip sheets, and links to partner organizations. Virtual events covered imposter scams, online shopping fraud, and investment scams—the three categories that consistently top the FTC’s annual complaint data.

In the months leading up to the week, the FTC also published planning guides for local organizations, encouraging libraries, senior centers, and community groups to host their own workshops. This grassroots approach meant that even people without internet access could learn about fraud prevention in person.

Why It Matters Beyond One Week

Scammers don’t take breaks after a national awareness week ends. According to FTC reports, consumers lost billions of dollars to fraud in recent years, with the median individual loss climbing each year. Many of these losses are preventable if people know what to look for and how to respond.

The three scam types emphasized during NCPW 2026 are particularly persistent:

  • Imposter scams – Someone pretending to be a government agency, a tech support company, or a family member in distress.
  • Online shopping fraud – Fake websites, social media ads for products that never arrive, or phishing emails disguised as order confirmations.
  • Investment scams – Offers that promise guaranteed high returns, often involving cryptocurrency or “risk-free” opportunities.

These scams evolve, but the underlying tactics stay the same: urgency, pressure, and a request for money or personal information.

What You Can Do Now

You don’t have to wait for next year’s NCPW to take action. Here are practical steps based on FTC advice that work anytime:

  • Report scams. If you encounter a fraud, file a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps law enforcement track trends and stop repeat offenders.
  • Handle identity theft. If your personal information is misused, go to IdentityTheft.gov for a step-by-step recovery plan tailored to your situation.
  • Freeze your credit. A credit freeze blocks new accounts from being opened in your name. It’s free and can be done online with each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). Thaw it only when you apply for credit.
  • Sign up for consumer alerts. The FTC offers free email alerts about new scams at consumer.ftc.gov/consumeralerts. You can also follow them on social media.
  • Be skeptical of unsolicited contacts. If someone calls, emails, or texts you out of the blue asking for money or personal data, hang up and verify the claim using an official phone number or website you look up yourself—not one they provide.

Sources

This article draws from the FTC’s own NCPW 2026 materials and previous consumer alerts:

  1. FTC. “Welcome to NCPW 2026 – Consumer Advice.” Published March 2, 2026. consumer.ftc.gov
  2. FTC. “Get ready for NCPW 2026 – Consumer Advice.” Published February 20, 2026.
  3. FTC. “It’s time to start planning for NCPW 2026 – Consumer Advice.” Published February 4, 2026.
  4. FTC. “Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2025.” (General fraud statistics referenced.)

For ongoing updates, bookmark consumer.ftc.gov and check the “Consumer Alerts” section regularly.