National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) began today, marking the 28th year of a nationwide effort led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to educate consumers about fraud and their rights. The annual campaign, running from March 1st to March 7th, 2026, aims to equip individuals with the knowledge to avoid, report, and recover from scams.
This year, the FTC is focusing on three key areas: scam avoidance, reporting fraudulent activity, and recovery resources for those who have fallen victim to scams. The agency is amplifying these messages through a series of in-person and virtual events, details of which are available at ftc.gov/ncpw.
The initiative extends beyond the FTC, with partnerships including the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The BBB is actively promoting NCPW, encouraging consumers to learn how to recognize and avoid fraud. The FCC will host a webinar on Wednesday, March 4th, from 2:00 p.m. To 3:00 p.m. ET, dedicated to consumer protection issues.
A free webinar for libraries, hosted by the FTC and the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services (ABOS), took place on March 1st at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. The webinar provided resources for libraries to incorporate NCPW programming and outreach to their communities. Participants could access the webinar via Zoom using Meeting ID 161 258 0692 and Passcode 304565, with phone options also available.
In Plano, Texas, the FTC and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) are hosting an in-person event today, March 3rd, from 10 a.m. To 2 p.m. CT at the Plano Coit Station Post Office. The event will offer free resources to assist consumers identify and avoid scams and identity theft.
The FTC encourages consumers to report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. These reports are used to investigate fraud, build law enforcement cases, and inform public alerts. The agency also advises individuals who believe they have been scammed to contact the company they used to send money to explore options for cancellation or reversal of the transaction.
Consumers are encouraged to participate in the online conversation using the hashtag #NCPW2026 and to share advice with family, friends, and neighbors. The FTC is also promoting the use of its “How I’ll Avoid a Scam: My Action Plan” tool to help individuals proactively protect themselves.
The FTC’s Consumer Affairs and Outreach Division (CAOD) is leading the agency’s NCPW efforts, coordinating with partner organizations to maximize the reach of consumer protection resources. The FTC continues to share resources on social media platforms, including Facebook, X, and Instagram, under the handle @FTC.
