Top Consumer Protection Tips from the FTC’s 2026 National Consumer Protection Week

Top Consumer Protection Tips from the FTC’s 2026 National Consumer Protection Week

Every year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) dedicates the first full week of March to helping people avoid scams, protect their personal information, and know their rights as consumers. National Consumer Protection Week 2026 ran from March 1 to 7, and the FTC published a series of practical articles aimed at everyday consumers. If you missed the campaign or just want a quick recap, here are the most actionable takeaways from this year’s advice.

What happened during NCPW 2026?

The FTC’s consumer advice page for “Welcome to NCPW 2026” served as a central hub for tips on topics like impostor scams, identity theft, online security, and reporting fraud. The agency also encouraged people to talk about scams with family and friends, because awareness is one of the best defenses. The advice was drawn from real complaints and data the FTC collects through its Consumer Sentinel Network.

Why these tips matter now

Scams evolve quickly, but the underlying tactics — impersonation, urgency, requests for money or information — remain consistent. The FTC’s 2026 guidance is grounded in the latest patterns reported by consumers. Even if you consider yourself scam-aware, the specific methods used in 2025 and early 2026 (such as AI-generated voice calls and more convincing phishing emails) make it worth reviewing the fundamentals. The cost of a mistake can be high: lost money, stolen identity, or weeks of cleanup.

What you can do: five key steps

1. Spot impostor scams before you lose money
Impostors pose as government agencies (the IRS, Social Security, the FTC itself), tech support, utilities, or even family members in distress. The FTC’s advice: do not trust caller ID. Hang up and call the official number you already have on file. If someone pressures you to pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency — that is a sure sign of a scam. No legitimate organization will ask for payment that way.

2. Protect your identity by freezing your credit
A credit freeze is free and prevents anyone from opening new accounts in your name. The FTC recommends freezing your credit at all three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). You can temporarily lift the freeze when you need to apply for credit. Also, monitor your accounts and credit reports regularly; you are entitled to one free report per bureau per year at AnnualCreditReport.com.

3. Lock down your online accounts
Use a different, strong password for each important account — email, banking, social media. A password manager can make this manageable. Wherever possible, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). Even if someone steals your password, MFA can block them. The FTC notes that text message codes are better than nothing, but app-based authentication or hardware keys are more secure.

4. Recognize phishing attempts in email and text
Phishing messages often create a false sense of urgency: “Your account will be closed,” “Unusual login detected,” “You’ve won a prize.” They may include logos that look real. The FTC says to pause before clicking any link. Hover over the link to see the actual URL (but do not click it). If a message claims to be from a company you do business with, go directly to the company’s website by typing the address yourself, not by clicking the link in the message.

5. Report scams to help yourself and others
If you or someone you know has been scammed, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also file a complaint with your state consumer protection office. The FTC uses these reports to track trends and take enforcement actions. Reporting does not guarantee you will get your money back, but it increases the chance that the scammer will be caught and warned future victims.

Stay vigilant all year

Consumer Protection Week is a good reminder, but scams do not take a break. The best defense is a combination of caution and routine security habits: freeze your credit, use strong passwords and MFA, ignore unsolicited requests for money or information, and talk to your family about what to watch for. The FTC’s consumer advice page is updated year‑round with new alerts. Bookmark it and check in occasionally.

Sources

• FTC, “Welcome to NCPW 2026 – Consumer Advice,” March 1, 2026 (official FTC consumer advice hub).
• FTC, “Get ready for NCPW 2026,” February 20, 2026.
• FTC blog posts on impostor scams, credit freezes, phishing, and reporting fraud (available at consumer.ftc.gov).