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.
Utility imposter scams can happen in-person or over the phone and come in a lot of shapes and sizes. Contact from your gas, electric, or water company threatening to immediately turn off your service is probably a scam.
Consumers should be wary of their caller ID as scammers will “spoof” the number they are calling from, which causes the customer’s phone to display a false caller ID. Often, the scammer will “spoof” a local number, perhaps even using the utility’s standard customer service number.
The scammer may call and claim the consumer needs a new meter or they are late on their payments. Consumers have also reported seeing scammers dressed like a representative of a utility company, going door-to-door and demanding payment in prepaid cards or else power would be shut off.
If you have any doubt about the legitimacy of a caller, hang up immediately and call your utility’s customer service center.
Dominion Energy South Carolina: (800) 251-7234
Duke Energy Carolinas: (800) 777-9898
Duke Energy Progress: (800) 452-2777
Santee Cooper: (800) 804-7424
Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina: Visit https://www.ecsc.org/ecsc-members-map to find the direct number of your co-op.
If you suspect or experience a scam, notify your local law enforcement agency.
Did you give personal or financial information to a scammer? Report it to the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs Identity Theft Unit by going to https://consumer.sc.gov/identity-theft-unit/scams or by calling (844) TELL-DCA.