NCPW 2026: What the FTC Wants You to Know About Scams and Fraud
National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 wrapped up in early March, but the advice from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) remains as relevant as ever. Whether you missed the events or just want a refresher, here’s a clear look at the most important consumer protection tips from this year’s campaign.
What Happened During NCPW 2026
NCPW is an annual FTC-led awareness week that started in 1998. This year it ran from March 1–7, 2026. The agency published a series of consumer alerts, hosted webinars, and worked with partner organizations to spread practical guidance on avoiding scams, protecting personal information, and reporting fraud. The official FTC page for the week — titled “Welcome to NCPW 2026” — served as the hub for free materials, including printable tip sheets, videos, and links to partner resources.
The FTC’s focus areas for 2026 included the usual high‑impact threats: imposter scams, online shopping fraud, investment schemes, and identity theft. But they also highlighted newer trends, such as AI‑powered voice cloning used in family emergency scams and the growing use of cryptocurrency payments in fraud.
Why It Matters
Scams cost Americans billions of dollars each year. According to FTC data, fraud reports in 2025 showed that imposter scams remained the most commonly reported category, with median losses climbing. Older adults, military families, and people unfamiliar with digital payments are disproportionately affected. But anyone can be targeted.
What makes NCPW valuable is that it pushes past generic warnings and gives consumers specific, actionable steps. For example, the FTC now recommends verifying any unsolicited call or message by hanging up and calling the real organization directly using a known number — not the one the caller provides. They also advise never sharing a one‑time passcode over the phone, even if the caller sounds official.
Another critical point: scammers often create a false sense of urgency. The FTC stresses that legitimate companies, government agencies, or utility providers will never demand immediate payment by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency. If someone pressures you to pay that way, it’s a red flag.
What Readers Can Do
Here are the most practical steps from the 2026 materials that you can use right now:
1. Freeze your credit. It’s free to freeze your credit reports at all three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). This blocks scammers from opening new accounts in your name. Many people already have a freeze, but if you haven’t, it’s one of the strongest protections against identity theft.
2. Use multi‑factor authentication on your email, banking, and social media accounts. An authenticator app is safer than SMS texts for receiving codes, since sim‑swap attacks are rising.
3. Recognize the top scam types.
- Imposter scams: Someone pretending to be from the IRS, a tech support company, or a relative in trouble.
- Online shopping fraud: Fake websites or social media ads for items that never arrive.
- Investment and crypto scams: Promises of huge returns, often through “pig butchering” schemes.
4. Report scams immediately. Go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov to file a complaint. Even if you didn’t lose money, your report helps the FTC track patterns and shut down fraudsters. If your identity was stolen, use IdentityTheft.gov to create a recovery plan.
5. Stay updated on emerging threats. The FTC’s “Consumer Alerts” email newsletter and blog are reliable, no‑hype sources. You can subscribe at ftc.gov/Subscribe.
Sources
- FTC, “Welcome to NCPW 2026 – Consumer Advice” (March 2, 2026). Archived at consumer.ftc.gov.
- FTC, “Get ready for NCPW 2026” (February 20, 2026).
- FTC, “It’s time to start planning for NCPW 2026” (February 4, 2026).
- FTC, “Start planning for National Consumer Protection Week 2025” (January 31, 2025) — for background on the annual event.
Note: NCPW dates and specific FTC recommendations may vary slightly year to year. Always check the FTC website for the most current advice.