Your Playbook for National Consumer Protection Week 2026

Every year, as March rolls around, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) kicks off National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). This year, it begins on March 2, 2026. It’s a nationwide campaign designed to arm you with the knowledge you need to spot, avoid, and report scams. While it’s a government initiative, the real focus is on you—your wallet, your privacy, and your peace of mind.

If you’ve ever felt a pang of suspicion about an unexpected text, a “too-good-to-be-true” offer, or a pressure-filled call from a “government agent,” you’re already thinking like a savvy consumer. NCPW is here to sharpen those instincts.

What the FTC Wants You to Watch For

The FTC uses NCPW to spotlight the most pervasive and damaging scams of the moment. Based on recent trends and alerts, one major threat continues to dominate: impersonation scams.

These scams are effective because they exploit trust. A scammer pretends to be someone you would naturally believe—a representative from the Social Security Administration, the IRS, your bank, a well-known tech company like Microsoft or Amazon, or even a family member in distress.

The contact can come from anywhere: a phone call, text, email, or social media message. The story is always urgent. You might be told your account is frozen, you owe back taxes, a package can’t be delivered, or a relative needs bail money. The goal is to short-circuit your logic with fear or excitement and get you to act quickly by sharing personal information, sending money, or clicking a malicious link.

Beyond impersonation scams, the FTC consistently warns about other persistent threats like phishing emails, fake online retailers, romance scams, and fraudulent investment schemes.

Why This Guidance Is More Critical Than Ever

You might wonder, “Don’t people know about these scams by now?” The unfortunate truth is that these schemes are not static; they evolve. Scammers constantly refine their tactics, using more sophisticated spoofing technology to make caller IDs look legitimate and crafting more convincing messages. They also ruthlessly target new victims, with seniors and newer internet users often in the crosshairs.

The cost is immense. Beyond the direct financial loss—which can be devastating—these scams erode trust in legitimate communication, cause significant emotional stress, and can lead to identity theft that takes years to untangle. The FTC’s data shows that consumers report losing billions of dollars annually to fraud, and that’s only what’s reported. Many incidents go unreported out of embarrassment.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

Knowledge is your primary defense. Here are concrete steps you can take, straight from the FTC’s playbook, to protect yourself and your loved ones.

1. Spot the Red Flags of an Impersonation Scam:

  • Pressure to Act Immediately: Legitimate organizations will not demand you pay or provide information on the spot.
  • Requests for Payment via Unusual Methods: Be wary of anyone insisting on payment via gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or peer-to-peer payment apps. This is a hallmark of scams.
  • Requests for Sensitive Information: Your bank, the government, or a utility company will not call, text, or email to ask for your Social Security number, account password, or one-time passcode.

2. Verify First, Then Trust: If you get a suspicious call, text, or email claiming to be from a company or agency:

  • Hang up or close the message. Do not use any phone number or link provided by the potential scammer.
  • Contact the organization directly. Use the official phone number from your statement, the back of your credit card, or their verified website.
  • Ask them if they were trying to reach you about the issue described.

3. Secure Your Digital Footprint:

  • Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on important accounts.
  • Keep your computer and phone software updated to patch security vulnerabilities.
  • Be cautious about what you share on social media; scammers use that information to tailor their approaches.

4. Report What You See: If you encounter a scam—even if you didn’t fall for it—report it. Your report helps law enforcement build cases and warn others.

  • The primary channel is the FTC’s website: ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • You can also file reports with your state attorney general’s office and local consumer protection agencies.

Where to Find Trusted Information

For the most current advice and resources, go directly to the source. The Federal Trade Commission’s consumer advice site (consumer.ftc.gov) is a comprehensive, free resource. It’s updated daily with the latest scam alerts, practical guides on everything from credit freezes to online shopping, and in-depth articles for different audiences.

National Consumer Protection Week is more than a calendar event; it’s a reminder that staying safe is an ongoing practice. By pausing to verify, knowing the common tricks, and knowing where to report, you take significant power back from scammers. Make these practices a habit, and you’ll be protecting more than just your money—you’ll be safeguarding your time, your data, and your confidence in the digital world.