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Your Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026: How to Shield Yourself from Scams Next week marks an important event for anyone who buys goods, uses services, or simply goes online: National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). Led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), this annual campaign is designed to arm people with the knowledge they need to avoid fraud and protect their hard-earned money. For NCPW 2026, a central focus is on one of the most pervasive and damaging threats: impersonation scams. ...

A Real Warning About Fake Utility Calls If your phone rings and someone claims to be from the “utility commission” demanding immediate payment to avoid your power being shut off, hang up. It’s a scam. ...

Attorney General Issues Urgent Warning: Gift Card Scams Are Targeting Your Wallet If someone calls, texts, or emails you demanding payment with a gift card, stop. It’s almost certainly a scam. This isn’t just good advice—it’s the core of an official consumer alert recently issued by Attorney General Brian Schwalb to residents of the District of Columbia. The warning highlights a pervasive and financially damaging fraud that continues to trap thousands of people each year. ...

What We Can Learn from National Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every March, a concerted effort takes place across the United States to empower people against fraud. National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is a time when government agencies, consumer advocates, and businesses come together to share vital information. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a lead organizer, uses this week to highlight the most pressing scams and provide the public with clear, actionable defense strategies. While NCPW 2026 is a future event, the guidance it promotes is grounded in enduring threats that are relevant right now. ...

Don’t Fall for the “Immediate Shut-Off” Scam: How to Spot Fake Utility Calls You’re at home, and the phone rings. The caller ID shows something official, maybe even your local power or water company. A stern voice informs you that your payment is dangerously overdue, service will be disconnected within the hour, and the only way to stop it is to make an immediate payment over the phone using a prepaid debit card or wire transfer. Your heart races. But before you react, you need to know this: it’s almost certainly a scam. ...

Your Guide to Staying Safer: Practical Advice from National Consumer Protection Week National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is more than just a calendar event. Led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) each March, it’s a focused reminder that safeguarding your money and identity requires year-round attention. As we look ahead to NCPW 2026, the core principles of defense remain consistent: being able to spot scams, securing your personal information, and knowing where to turn for help. This week serves as an excellent prompt to review your habits and adopt some practical, proactive steps. ...

Don’t Just Be Aware, Be Prepared: Your Guide to Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every year, the first full week of March marks National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a nationwide campaign led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). In 2026, this week (expected to run from March 1-7) serves as a critical reminder and resource hub for anyone navigating an increasingly complex digital marketplace. It’s less about a single event and more about an annual checkpoint—a time to refresh your knowledge, sharpen your skills, and leverage free government tools designed to shield you from fraud. ...

Your Practical Guide to Outsmarting Scammers National Consumer Protection Week serves as a timely reminder that our personal information and finances face constant threats. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which spearheads this annual campaign, consistently reports that scams are becoming more sophisticated, often starting with a simple, believable message. The goal isn’t to spread fear, but to equip you with clear, actionable defenses against the most common schemes. ...

Protect Yourself from the Scams the FTC Is Warning About Right Now It’s become a daily routine for many: a text about a missed delivery, a call about a suspicious bank transfer, or a social media ad for a deal that seems too good to be true. These aren’t just annoyances; they’re often the opening moves in sophisticated scams. Recently, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar highlighting the latest trends in consumer fraud. Their clear message is that while the themes of scams are familiar—greed, fear, and urgency—the tactics are constantly evolving to exploit new technologies and current events. Staying informed isn’t just about awareness; it’s a necessary part of protecting your finances and personal information. ...

Don’t Fall for the Fake Utility Inspector: How to Spot a Common Scam Imagine this: your phone rings. The caller ID shows a local or official-looking number. The person on the other end claims to be from your state’s Public Utility Commission (PUC) or a similar regulatory body. They say you have an outstanding bill and that your power will be shut off within the hour unless you make an immediate payment. ...