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Today marks the start of National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a time of year when the FTC and its local, state, and federal partners focus on empowering consumers with free consumer protection resources. Experience says that one of the best ways to avoid a scam is to talk about it, so read on for ideas on how to start that conversation.

In the Bureau of Consumer Protection (BCP), talented staff work to investigate fraud and shut down scams through law enforcement actions. Those actions are often based on the experiences consumers share at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. And people know how to spot and report scams because of the BCP team’s outreach — not only about the lessons learned from cases, but also about the warning signs of many kinds of scams. This kind of knowledge is power, giving you the tools to navigate the marketplace, make sound financial decisions, and spot, avoid, and report bad actors.

During NCPW this week, consumer protection agencies, law enforcement, and the media will talk about how to spot and avoid impostersunwanted calls, and other types of fraud. But people are far more likely to trust these messages and take them to heart when they come from a neighbor, friend, or family member. So, during NCPW and all year round, make a real difference to the people you care about:

Ready to do more? At ftc.gov/NCPW, you’ll find tools to promote NCPW and events to join.