NCPW 2026: Essential Consumer Protection Tips from the FTC

National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 has come and gone, but the advice the Federal Trade Commission published during that week remains as useful as the day it came out. Scams evolve fast, but the basic patterns of fraud — someone pretending to be someone they’re not, pressuring you to act quickly, asking for money or personal information — stay the same. This article pulls together the most practical, actionable guidance from the FTC’s NCPW 2026 campaign so you can recognize common scams, protect your identity, and know exactly what to do if something goes wrong.

What Happened

NCPW 2026 ran from March 1 to March 7, 2026. Each year, the FTC uses this week to highlight consumer protection issues and share resources. In 2026, the agency published a series of articles on topics like imposter scams, online shopping fraud, phishing, and identity theft. The centerpiece was a welcome page that gathered links to these articles, as well as to partner organizations such as the AARP Fraud Watch Network and the Better Business Bureau. The campaign also encouraged consumers to talk about scams with friends and family, because awareness is one of the best defenses.

Based on the FTC’s trend data from the Consumer Sentinel Network, the scams most frequently reported in recent years include:

  • Imposter scams — someone claims to be from the government, a tech support company, or a family member in distress.
  • Online shopping scams — fake websites or social media ads that take your money and never deliver the product.
  • Phishing — emails, texts, or calls that try to trick you into handing over passwords, credit card numbers, or other sensitive data.
  • Prize and lottery scams — you’re told you’ve won something but must pay a fee first.

The FTC’s 2025 data showed that imposter scams were the most reported fraud category, with losses totaling over $2 billion. While exact 2026 figures weren’t available at the time of writing, the patterns have remained consistent.

Why It Matters

Scams don’t take a break after NCPW ends. Fraudsters adapt quickly, using new technology like AI-generated voices and deepfake videos to make their schemes more convincing. But the same core advice works against most of them: slow down, verify independently, and never share personal information under pressure.

The FTC’s advice is particularly valuable because it comes from the primary federal agency responsible for consumer protection. Following it can help you avoid losing money, having your identity stolen, or spending months cleaning up the aftermath of fraud. Even if you’ve heard these tips before, a quick refresher can make the difference between catching a red flag and missing it.

What Readers Can Do

Here are the most concrete steps you can take, based on the FTC’s NCPW 2026 recommendations.

1. Recognize the warning signs of a scam

The FTC says every scam shares these common elements:

  • You’re pressured to act immediately — “Your account will be closed” or “This offer expires in one hour.”
  • You’re asked to pay in an unusual way — gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or a payment app like Zelle or Cash App.
  • The person insists on secrecy — “Don’t tell anyone” or “This is confidential.”
  • You receive an unexpected contact — a call, email, or text out of the blue.

If you notice any of these, stop. Do not engage. Look up the company or agency’s official contact information separately and verify whether the message is legitimate.

2. Protect your personal information online

  • Use strong, unique passwords for each account. A password manager makes this manageable.
  • Turn on multi-factor authentication wherever it’s offered, especially for email, banking, and social media.
  • Keep your software updated — phones, computers, and apps all need the latest security patches.
  • Be careful what you share on social media. Scammers can use details like your mother’s maiden name, pet’s name, or vacation plans to craft convincing attacks.

3. Freeze your credit

A credit freeze is one of the most effective ways to prevent someone from opening new accounts in your name. It’s free and does not affect your existing accounts or credit score. To freeze your credit, you must contact each of the three major credit bureaus individually:

You’ll need to provide your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and other identifying information. Keep the PIN or password you receive in a safe place — you’ll need it to lift the freeze temporarily if you apply for credit.

After freezing, review your credit reports at least once a year at AnnualCreditReport.com. The FTC also recommends checking your bank and credit card statements regularly for unauthorized charges.

4. Report scams and identity theft

If you fall victim to a scam or suspect identity theft, report it. Reporting helps the FTC track trends and may help law enforcement catch the criminals.

  • Report scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can file a complaint online or call 1-877-FTC-HELP. The FTC shares reports with law enforcement partners.
  • Report identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov. The site guides you through creating a recovery plan, placing a fraud alert on your credit file, and filing a report with the police if needed.
  • Add your number to the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222. This reduces telemarketing calls but will not stop scammers, who often ignore the registry. Still, it’s worth doing.

Sources

All guidance in this article is consistent with the FTC’s consumer advice published during National Consumer Protection Week 2026. You can find the original materials at:

Scam statistics referenced are based on the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book for 2025, which is published annually on the FTC’s website.