COLUMBIA, S.C. - The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) petitioned to intervene in a Public Service Commission (PSC) Rulemaking Proceeding. The PSC is looking to set guidelines for how a utility company can use customer information. This may include preventing the sale of customer data without their permission.

Currently, utility companies are selling their customer's data to third-parties without the customer knowing. The company buying the information then advertises goods and services to the utilities' customers. SCDCA fully supports limiting this practice, as privacy is of great importance to consumers and is critical to maintaining mutual confidence between buyers and sellers.

SCDCA administers and enforces the state's privacy laws and educates consumers and businesses on how to protect personal information and defend against ID theft/scams. Based on this experience, SCDCA echoes the concerns of many consumers when it comes to the collection and sharing of their information. To read the full petition, click here.

Consumers interested in learning how to protect against ID theft can visit SCDCA's ID Theft Resource page. Businesses are encouraged to read the “Identity Theft and the Law”guide. To request free copies of agency publications, fill out the brochure order form or call (844) TELL DCA (835-5322).

About SCDCA
The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs aims to protect consumers from inequities in the marketplace through advocacy, complaint mediation, enforcement and education. To file a complaint or get information on consumer issues, visit www.consumer.sc.gov or call toll-free, 1 (800) 922-1594.