Top scams to avoid right now: FTC’s 2026 consumer protection guide

National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 ran from March 2 to March 6, and the Federal Trade Commission used the occasion to update its advice on the most common scams affecting Americans. The timing is no accident: scams tend to spike during tax season and around major holidays, so having a clear, up-to-date picture of what fraud looks like can help you avoid losing money or personal information.

Below is a breakdown of the scams the FTC highlighted during NCPW 2026, along with practical steps you can take to protect yourself and what to do if you suspect you’ve been targeted.

What happened

The FTC’s annual NCPW campaign encourages consumers, businesses, and community organizations to talk about fraud and share prevention resources. This year’s materials drew on the agency’s latest consumer complaint data and focused on four scam categories:

  • Imposter scams – someone pretending to be a government official, a tech support agent, or a family member in trouble.
  • Fake online stores – websites or social media ads offering deals that don’t exist or sending counterfeit goods.
  • Phony investment opportunities – often promoted through social media or dating apps, promising big returns with little risk.
  • Tech support scams – pop‑up warnings or unsolicited calls claiming your computer is infected and demanding payment to fix it.

These types have been among the top fraud categories in FTC reports for several years, and the agency expects them to continue evolving.

Why it matters

The cost of these scams is real and growing. According to FTC data, consumers reported losing more than $10 billion to fraud in 2023, and the numbers for 2024 and 2025 are trending higher. Older adults, online shoppers, and small business owners are frequently targeted, but anyone can be caught off guard.

One reason these scams succeed is that they exploit trust and urgency. A caller claiming to be from the Social Security Administration, a text message about a package delivery, or an ad for a “limited‑time” crypto investment all use the same playbook: create panic or excitement and push you to act before you think.

Knowing the red flags can help you pause, verify, and avoid becoming a victim.

What readers can do

Here are concrete steps for each of the four scam types highlighted during NCPW 2026.

Imposter scams

  • Do not trust caller ID. Scammers can spoof phone numbers to look like a real agency or a local number. If someone calls claiming to be from the IRS, Medicare, or your bank, hang up and call the official number on your statement or the agency’s website.
  • Never pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Government agencies and legitimate companies never demand payment in those forms.
  • If a caller says a loved one is in trouble and needs money, pause. Contact that person directly using a number you already know.

Fake online stores

  • Research the seller before buying. Search the store name plus “scam” or “complaint” to see if others have reported issues.
  • Pay with a credit card if possible. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards, wire transfers, or payment apps.
  • Be skeptical of prices that are far below normal. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Phony investment opportunities

  • Be wary of guaranteed returns or “risk‑free” investments. Legitimate investments always carry some risk.
  • Check if the opportunity is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission or your state securities regulator. You can search on the SEC’s EDGAR database or your state’s website.
  • Ignore unsolicited offers on social media, dating apps, or messaging platforms. Scammers often build fake trust over weeks before pitching an investment.

Tech support scams

  • Never call a number that appears in a pop‑up warning or on a screen lock. Legitimate tech companies do not display phone numbers in alerts.
  • If you get an unsolicited call from “Microsoft” or “Apple,” hang up. These companies do not make proactive calls about computer problems.
  • Let the call go to voicemail if you’re unsure. Scammers often rely on immediate pressure to get you to act.

What to do if you’ve been scammed

  • Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps the agency track trends and build cases.
  • If someone stole your personal information (Social Security number, bank account, etc.), visit IdentityTheft.gov for a step‑by‑step recovery plan.
  • Contact your bank or credit card company immediately if you shared account details or made a payment.
  • Consider placing a credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) if you suspect identity theft. Freezes are free and prevent new accounts from being opened in your name.

Sources

  • Federal Trade Commission, “Welcome to NCPW 2026 – Consumer Advice,” March 2, 2026. Available at ftc.gov/consumer-advice (search for NCPW 2026 materials).
  • Federal Trade Commission, “Get ready for NCPW 2026,” February 20, 2026.
  • FTC Consumer Advice, “How to avoid a scam,” and “What to do if you were scammed.”

The FTC’s consumer‑protection website also offers guides in multiple languages, sample scripts for talking to older relatives about scams, and free printable materials for community groups. Even after NCPW ends, the advice remains current—and applying it can save you time, money, and stress.