NCPW 2026 Recap: The Scams You Need to Watch Right Now

National Consumer Protection Week 2026 ran from March 2 to 6, but the fraud warnings the FTC published during that week are just as relevant now. If you missed the event, or if you could use a refresher on the most common scams, this article covers the key points from the FTC’s campaign — and what you can do to protect yourself today.

What happened during NCPW 2026

Each year, the Federal Trade Commission organizes National Consumer Protection Week to spread awareness about fraud and help consumers avoid losing money. In 2026, the agency focused on the scam categories that consistently cause the most harm:

  • Imposter scams – still the top reported fraud type in 2025 and 2026. Scammers pretend to be from the Social Security Administration, the IRS, a tech support company, or even a family member in trouble.
  • Phishing messages – emails, texts, or calls that try to trick you into revealing passwords, account numbers, or other personal information.
  • Fake charities – especially after natural disasters or during the holiday season, fraudsters create bogus organizations that sound legitimate.
  • Online shopping fraud – counterfeit websites, fake listings, and sellers who take payment and never deliver.

The FTC’s Consumer Advice page (available at consumer.ftc.gov) remains the central source for updated guidance on all these schemes.

Why it matters beyond NCPW

Scams don’t stop after a designated week. Fraudsters adapt quickly and target people year-round. Older adults and those less familiar with digital communications are frequent targets, but anyone can be caught off guard. The FTC’s data shows that in 2025 consumers reported losing more than $10 billion to fraud, with the median loss for imposter scams alone exceeding $1,000.

Knowing what to look for and where to report can make the difference between losing money and stopping a scam early.

Red flags you should watch for

The FTC’s advice during NCPW 2026 repeated a few core warning signs that appear in nearly all common scams:

  • Unsolicited contact. Someone calls, emails, or texts you out of the blue claiming to be from a government agency, a bank, or a well-known company.
  • Pressure to act fast. The caller says your account will be closed, you’ll be arrested, or you’ll lose a limited-time deal unless you pay or share information right away.
  • Unusual payment methods. Requests for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment apps like Zelle and CashApp — especially to someone you don’t know personally.
  • Requests for personal information. Legitimate organizations rarely ask for your Social Security number, bank account, or passwords over the phone or by email.

If you see any of these signs, stop and verify before doing anything.

How to check if an offer or request is legitimate

The FTC suggests three straightforward steps:

  1. Look up the company or charity yourself – do not use contact information the caller gives you. Find the official phone number or website independently.
  2. Search online – type the name of the organization plus words like “complaint,” “scam,” or “review.” Often other people have reported the same trick.
  3. For charities, use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (irs.gov/teos) to confirm they are a real nonprofit.

If someone claims to be from a government agency, hang up and call the agency directly using the number on its official website. That applies to the Social Security Administration, the IRS, Medicare, and any other federal or state office.

What to do if you’ve been scammed

Act quickly. The FTC recommends the following steps:

  • Contact your bank or credit card company immediately if you gave payment information or sent money. They may be able to stop a transaction or reverse a transfer.
  • Change passwords for any accounts that may have been compromised. Use strong, unique passwords for each account.
  • Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps law enforcement track patterns and, in some cases, return money to victims.
  • If you sent money via wire transfer or gift card, also contact the company that provided the service (Western Union, MoneyGram, the gift card issuer) to request a refund.
  • If you gave personal info like your Social Security number, visit IdentityTheft.gov for a personalized recovery plan.

Sources

The information in this article comes directly from the FTC’s public domain resources. You can find the full NCPW 2026 materials and ongoing consumer advice at: