National Day

National Slam The Scam Day | Thursday Of Consumer Protection Week

Celebrated on 03/05/2026

Quick Fact

National Slam The Scam Day is observed on the Thursday of Consumer Protection Week, a campaign led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to combat fraud. The term 'slam the scam' encourages people to hang up on robocalls and report scam attempts to authorities.

Origins and Establishment of National Slam The Scam Day | Thursday Of Consumer Protection Week

National Slam The Scam Day was established by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2018 as part of National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). NCPW itself began in 1998 under the leadership of the FTC and other consumer protection agencies to raise awareness about consumer rights and fraud prevention. The specific designation of Thursday as 'Slam The Scam Day' aims to focus attention on the growing problem of government impostor scams, where fraudsters pose as officials from agencies like the Social Security Administration or the IRS.

Evolution and Modern Commemoration

Since its inception, National Slam The Scam Day has evolved to include a wide range of educational activities, including social media campaigns, webinars, and partnerships with local law enforcement. The FTC provides toolkits for community organizations to host events, and the day is marked by a coordinated push to encourage reporting of scams via the FTC's Consumer Sentinel Network. In recent years, the focus has expanded to include online scams, phishing, and identity theft, reflecting the changing landscape of consumer fraud.

Facts & General Observations

  • In 2023, consumers reported losing over $10 billion to fraud, a 14% increase from the previous year, according to the FTC.
  • Government impostor scams are among the most common, with reported losses exceeding $1.2 billion in 2023.
  • The FTC's Consumer Sentinel Network receives over 3 million fraud reports annually, with a significant spike during Consumer Protection Week.

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