What to Know for National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Key Scams and Tips

What to Know for National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Key Scams and Tips

National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 is now underway. Organized each year by the Federal Trade Commission, the campaign runs through the first full week of March—this year marking the 28th anniversary. Its purpose is straightforward: to give people the information they need to avoid fraud, spot deceptive practices, and know where to turn if something goes wrong.

If you’ve seen banners or social media posts from the FTC and its partners, you might wonder what’s actually relevant to you. Below is a concise look at what’s happening, why it matters, and what concrete steps you can take this week—and beyond.

What happened: NCPW 2026 in brief

The FTC published its official “Welcome to NCPW 2026” page on March 2, 2026, along with planning materials that had been released in the weeks prior. The theme focuses on the same core message as previous years: scammers adapt quickly, and consumers need up‑to‑date tools to protect themselves.

No radical changes were announced. Instead, the FTC and its partner organizations—including the AARP Fraud Watch Network, the Better Business Bureau, and state consumer protection offices—are emphasizing three areas that remain persistent threats:

• Imposter scams (callers posing as government officials or companies)
• Online shopping fraud, especially through fake websites and lookalike ads
• Identity theft, which continues to evolve with data breaches and phishing emails

Why it matters

These scams are not evenly distributed. According to FTC data from recent years, older adults (50+) are disproportionately targeted by imposter callers and prize‑promotion schemes. Meanwhile, younger adults are more likely to encounter phishing attacks and identity theft tied to social media or online marketplaces.

The financial losses are substantial. Even a single scam can wipe out a retirement account or rack up thousands of dollars in fraudulent charges. And because many scams go unreported, official figures likely understate the real impact.

NCPW arrives at a time when AI‑powered voice cloning and highly personalized phishing emails are making scams harder to identify. The week’s awareness efforts are meant to close the gap between what people think they know about scams and what the current threat landscape actually looks like.

What readers can do: practical steps

You don’t need to memorize every scam type. A few habits can cover most situations.

1. Slow down when you’re urged to act immediately.
Scammers rely on urgency. A “limited‑time offer” or a call that demands you verify an account “right now” is almost always a red flag. Hang up or close the browser window, then contact the company or agency directly using a known phone number or website.

2. Check the FTC’s consumer advice page.
The FTC maintains a searchable library of alerts and guides at consumer.ftc.gov. During NCPW, the site highlights current trending scams. Bookmark it and check it once a month.

3. Freeze your credit.
This is one of the most effective protections against identity theft. You can freeze your credit at each of the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) at no cost. It prevents anyone from opening new accounts in your name. Unfreezing is simple when you need to apply for credit yourself.

4. Report if you’ve been scammed.
If you suspect fraud, file a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Even if you don’t lose money, the report helps law enforcement track patterns. You can also contact your state attorney general’s consumer protection office.

5. Talk about it.
One of the campaign’s recurring messages is that discussing scams with family and friends reduces the stigma and makes people more likely to recognize warning signs. If you hear about a shady email or call, mention it.

Key resources

• FTC’s NCPW 2026 page: consumer.ftc.gov/features/national-consumer-protection-week
• Report fraud: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
• IdentityTheft.gov: step‑by‑step recovery plans if your identity is stolen
• Partner organizations: AARP Fraud Watch Network (aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork), BBB Scam Tracker (bbb.org/scamtracker)

Staying vigilant all year

NCPW is a useful reminder, but scams don’t take a break after the first week of March. The tools and habits you adopt now—freezing your credit, verifying callers, and reporting suspicious activity—are the same ones that will serve you in the months ahead. Nothing about this is complicated, but it does require a small amount of routine attention. That attention is the best defense we have.