Your Guide to National Consumer Protection Week 2026: Essential Scam Advice from the FTC

National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 wrapped up in early March, coordinated by the Federal Trade Commission and numerous partners. Each year, the campaign draws attention to the most pressing consumer threats and, more importantly, what you can do about them. If you missed the events or just want a clear recap of the core advice, here is what the FTC emphasized and how you can apply it year-round.

What happened

NCPW 2026 ran from March 1 to March 7, with the FTC releasing a dedicated consumer advice page, toolkits, and social media materials. The agency highlighted scams that were particularly active going into 2026: imposter scams (someone pretending to be a government agency, a tech support company, or a family member in distress), phishing messages that try to steal login credentials, and fake debt collection attempts. The FTC also urged people to enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible and to monitor financial accounts regularly.

The advice was not new in substance—the FTC has been warning about these schemes for years—but the timing matters. Scammers adapt quickly to current events, and the agency’s message was clear: basic prevention habits still work, and reporting suspicious activity helps protect others.

Why it matters

Consumer fraud is not a rare problem. According to FTC data, Americans reported losing over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, and those numbers have likely grown since. Many scams go unreported because people feel embarrassed or are unsure where to turn. NCPW aims to reduce that stigma and provide a clear path forward.

The specific scams highlighted in 2026 reflect where criminals are focusing their energy. Imposter scams remain the most common fraud category reported to the FTC, often involving someone who claims to be from the Social Security Administration, the IRS, or a well-known tech company. Phishing has become more sophisticated, with messages that look nearly identical to legitimate emails from banks or online services. Fake debt collectors try to pressure people into paying money they do not actually owe, often by threatening legal action or arrest.

Understanding these patterns is useful because forewarned is forearmed. If you know what a typical phishing email looks like, you are less likely to click a malicious link. If you know that government agencies never demand payment via gift cards, you can hang up on that caller.

What readers can do

The FTC’s advice can be boiled down to a handful of concrete actions. None are complicated, but they require consistency.

1. Strengthen your passwords and use multi-factor authentication.
A strong password is long and unique—not a reused phrase. A password manager can help you generate and store them. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds a second step, like a code sent to your phone, which blocks most account takeovers even if your password is stolen. The FTC recommends enabling MFA on email, banking, and social media accounts.

2. Recognize and ignore unsolicited contacts.
If someone calls, emails, or texts you out of the blue asking for money or personal information, assume it is a scam. Do not click links in unexpected messages. Instead, go directly to the official website or call the known phone number. For example, if you get an email claiming your Netflix payment failed, open a new browser tab and log in to Netflix directly—do not use the link in the email.

3. Monitor your accounts and credit reports.
Check your bank and credit card statements at least once a month for unauthorized charges. You are entitled to a free credit report from each of the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) every week at AnnualCreditReport.com. Reviewing these reports can help you spot accounts opened in your name without permission.

4. Report scams when you encounter them.
If you lose money or suspect fraud, file a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The agency uses these reports to track trends and go after scammers. If your Social Security number is compromised, visit IdentityTheft.gov for a personalized recovery plan. Reporting also helps other consumers: the FTC shares data with law enforcement worldwide.

5. Talk about scams with family and friends.
Scammers often target older adults, immigrants, and people who are less connected to information networks. Simply discussing common schemes can prevent someone from falling victim. The FTC provides free NCPW materials you can share year-round.

Sources

  • Federal Trade Commission, “Welcome to NCPW 2026 – Consumer Advice,” March 2, 2026.
  • Federal Trade Commission, “Get ready for NCPW 2026,” February 20, 2026.
  • FTC data on fraud losses (2023 report) available at ftc.gov/data.
  • IdentityTheft.gov for identity theft recovery steps.

Stay safe, and remember that consumer protection is not just one week a year—it is a daily habit.