Ditch the Pitch
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.
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) continues to see an upward trend in the number of complaints filed with the agency. SCDCA received 2,904 complaints between January 1 to June 30, 2024, slightly higher than the 2,885 complaints received during that same period in 2023. Nearly $570,000 has been recovered for consumers through the complaint process in the first six months of 2024, a 22% increase from 2023.
The top complaint categories so far include Vehicles (584), Real Estate (578) and Contractors (242). Those categories fall in line with top complaint categories nationwide which are featured in the Consumer Federation of America’s (CFA) 2023 Consumer Complaint Survey Report. This annual report covers the entire 2023 calendar year and gives a snapshot of issues consumers experienced in South Carolina’s marketplace while comparing it with other states.
South Carolina highlights in the report include:
Overall, 5,757 complaints were filed with SCDCA in 2023 and $1,254,145.79 was recovered/saved for consumers.
Consumers are encouraged to contact SCDCA directly with complaints regarding products or services purchased for family or household use. To file a complaint, visit consumer.sc.gov and click FILE A COMPLAINT. To see if a business has complaints against it, consumers should take advantage of the Search Complaints tool on the Consumer Information page of SCDCA’s website.
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.
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