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by ERIN PARROTT
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South Carolina is once again landing near the top of an unwelcome list…
According to recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) data, the Palmetto State ranked seventh in the nation for consumer fraud reports, underscoring a growing problem impacting tens of thousands of residents each year.
As this outlet has previously reported in similar consumer protection coverage, fraud – ranging from identity theft to imposter scams – continues to surge across the southeast, with South Carolina emerging as a consistent hotspot.
FTC data shows more than 80,000 fraud reports were filed in South Carolina in 2024, translating to roughly 1,536 reports per 100,000 residents.
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The most common categories?
- Credit bureau-related fraud (28%)
- Identity theft (16%)
- Imposter scams (12%)
Digging deeper, identity theft alone remains a major driver – with more than 17,000 cases reported in just the first three quarters of 2025, already surpassing the previous year’s total.
While fraud is rising nationwide, South Carolina’s ranking points to unique vulnerabilities.
Experts frequently cite the state’s rapid population growth, expanding retiree communities and booming tourism industry as contributing factors – all of which create opportunities for scammers targeting new residents, older populations and high-volume financial transactions.
At the local level, certain regions have seen sharp increases like when the Charleston metro area experienced a dramatic year-over-year spike in fraud reports, reflecting broader statewide trends.
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State officials continue urging residents to remain vigilant – especially as scams become more targeted and harder to detect.
Common recommendations include monitoring financial accounts, enabling fraud alerts and reporting suspicious activity immediately to federal and state agencies.
Still, South Carolina’s top-10 ranking highlights a persistent challenge.
As fraud schemes evolve and expand, the Palmetto State appears poised to remain a prime target.
Count on FITSNews to keep tracking consumer fraud trends – and the impact they’re having on South Carolina residents.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
Erin Parrott is a Greenville, S.C. native who graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2025 with a bachelor degree in broadcast journalism. Got feedback or a tip for Erin? Email her here.
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4 comments
Just more proof about how dumb most of the people in this state are. You would think we wouldn’t need any more proof other than the way folks keep voting for Republicans, who can’t get anything done.
Lol Doelt, you’re not from around here are you.
Born and bred, my friend.
Unfortunately, it’s difficult to overcome sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.