NCPW 2026: What the FTC Wants You to Know About Scams This Year

National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 ran from March 1 through March 7, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) once again used the occasion to highlight the most pressing consumer threats and the tools available to fight them. For anyone trying to stay ahead of fraud, the agency’s advice remains one of the most reliable starting points.

What happened

The FTC, which leads federal consumer protection efforts, centered its NCPW 2026 campaign around awareness and reporting. Across the week, the agency published alerts, shared data on the most common scams, and encouraged people to talk about fraud with family and friends. The core message was straightforward: scams are not going away, but knowing what to look for can make a real difference.

Based on the latest FTC Consumer Sentinel Network data (which covers reports from 2025 and early 2026), the top categories of reported fraud include:

  • Imposter scams – calls, texts, or emails where someone pretends to be a government official, a tech support representative, or a family member in distress.
  • Online shopping scams – fraudulent websites, fake social media ads, and phony listings that take payment but never deliver goods.
  • Investment scams – promises of high, guaranteed returns, often tied to cryptocurrency or “exclusive” opportunities.

The FTC also noted that losses from scams remain high, but reports help them track new tactics and issue warnings quickly.

Why it matters

Scams affect millions of people every year, and the methods evolve fast. A fake text message that looked crude a few years ago may now appear polished and personalized, thanks to AI-generated content and stolen personal data. The FTC’s resources, such as the “Consumer Advice” blog and the “ReportFraud.ftc.gov” portal, are designed to cut through that confusion.

What matters for the average person is that these resources are free, regularly updated, and built around real complaints. The FTC does not just list dangers; it gives specific, actionable steps. For instance, during NCPW 2026, the agency emphasized that if you receive an unexpected request for money or personal information, the safest step is to stop and verify through an official channel—not to use any phone number or link provided in the message.

What readers can do

You don’t have to wait for the next NCPW to protect yourself. Here are three practical moves the FTC recommends:

  1. Recognize the pressure tactics. Most scams try to create a false sense of urgency—a limited-time offer, a threat of arrest, or a loved one supposedly in trouble. Slow down and ask yourself whether the story makes sense. Legitimate businesses and government agencies do not demand payment in gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

  2. Report fraud when you see it. Even if you didn’t lose money, reporting helps the FTC spot trends and issue alerts. Go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov and file a complaint. It takes about 10 minutes. You can also report unwanted spam calls and texts.

  3. Share what you know. The FTC often says that talking about scams is one of the most effective defenses, especially for people who are less familiar with online risks. During NCPW 2026, the agency provided conversation starters and tip sheets that you can still access on its consumer advice page.

If you think you’ve been scammed, act immediately. Contact your bank or credit card company, change compromised passwords, and report the incident to the FTC and your state attorney general’s office. The sooner you act, the better the chance of limiting damage.

Sources

  • Federal Trade Commission. “Welcome to NCPW 2026 – Consumer Advice.” Published March 2, 2026. [Link to FTC article]
  • Federal Trade Commission. “Get ready for NCPW 2026.” Published February 20, 2026.
  • Federal Trade Commission. “Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2025.” (Referenced for common scam categories.)

Note: The FTC’s scam data is based on voluntary consumer reports, so actual fraud numbers are likely higher. Patterns can shift quickly; check the FTC’s website for the most current alerts.