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You can file a complaint and submit applications for licensing online. Filings you do not wish to make, or that are not available, online can be submitted via mail for processing.

Department staff is available to assist with any questions at (800) 922-1594 (toll free in SC) or 803-734-4200 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding State holidays. You can also email general questions to scdca@scconsumer.gov. 

SCDCA Identity Theft Unit 10-Year Anniversary Report Released

Thu, 12/14/2023

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) launched its Identity Theft Unit (“The Unit” / “IDTU”) in 2013 and is celebrating the anniversary with the release of its 10-year report. The Unit aims to educate consumers about the steps they can take to protect their personal information and money and provide guidance to identity theft and scam victims. 

Between October 2013 and October 2023, The Unit received 3,789 consumer identity theft reports with actual losses of $6,175,595. Financial (64.16%), tax-related (14.70%) and government (11.40%) were the most common forms of identity theft reported. Richland County residents filed the most identity theft reports (367) followed by Greenville (356) and Charleston (290) County residents, respectively.  

When it comes to scams, consumers filed 14,764 reports with The Unit with actual losses reported at $18,070,830. Potential losses to the those who did not fall victim to the scams they reported was nearly $8.7 million. Imposter scams were by far the largest type of scam reported (44.61%), followed by phishing scams (9.73%) and lottery/sweepstakes scams (8.20%). Richland County residents filed the most scam reports (758), followed by Spartanburg (543) and Lexington (358).  

View the full IDTU 10-Year Anniversary Report here.  

Consumers who would like to report a scam or who would like help with the steps to mitigate their identity theft situation please contact the Identity Theft Unit for one-on-one assistance. Call (844) TELL DCA (835-5322) or fill out an ID Theft Intake form by visiting consumer.sc.gov, click the How Do I… button, then Report Identity Theft. 

About SCDCA 

Established in 1974, DCA has nearly fifty years of experience in protecting South Carolina consumers while recognizing those businesses that act honestly and fairly. Cultivating a marketplace comprised of well-informed consumers and businesses prevents deceptive and unfair business practices, allows legitimate business activity to flourish, resulting in the promotion of competition and a healthier economy.