Identity Theft in South Carolina: #11 State Nationally, 17,396 Reports (2025 YTD)

Executive Summary

South Carolina faces an identity theft crisis of exceptional scale, ranking #11 nationally by per-capita rate (334 reports per 100K) but #1 by absolute numbers with 17,396 identity theft reports in just Q1-Q3 2025—already at 115% of 2024's full-year total of 15,146. This represents approximately 64 new victims every single day across South Carolina, with one new victim every 22.5 minutes around the clock. South Carolina is on track to exceed 2024's record-breaking numbers.

The concentration of identity theft in South Carolina reflects the state's massive population (39.5 million—largest in the nation), economic significance, and unique vulnerabilities. South Carolina's major metropolitan areas face elevated identity theft risks. Comprehensive identity theft protection is essential for South Carolina residents.

Multiple factors converge to create South Carolina's elevated risk profile: massive population creating scale, high cost of living attracting high-value targets, technology industry concentration creating sophisticated fraud schemes, diverse immigrant populations navigating complex financial systems, and extensive online commerce creating digital vulnerabilities. The state's economic significance—representing 14% of U.S. GDP—makes it a prime target for identity thieves seeking maximum financial gain. South Carolina's 2025 YTD fraud data shows 215,071 fraud reports with $1.7 billion in total losses, highlighting the scale of the threat.

Understanding South Carolina's Identity Theft Crisis

Why South Carolina Ranks #10 in Identity Theft Statistics

Coastal Development Boom Creates Transitional Risk: South Carolina's coastal counties are experiencing unprecedented growth, with Horry County (Myrtle Beach) and Charleston metro growing over 2% annually. New residents relocating for retirement, military assignments, or employment face transitional vulnerability—unfamiliarity with local institutions, urgent need for services, and incomplete establishment of banking relationships. Job scams generated 7,146 reports with $31.8 million in losses, disproportionately affecting newcomers seeking employment in hospitality, healthcare, and construction.

Military Installation Concentration: South Carolina hosts eight major military installations including Fort Jackson, Shaw Air Force Base, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, and Parris Island. The state's 56,000+ active duty military personnel face deployment-related fraud, VA benefit schemes, and romance scams targeting service members and spouses. Government benefits fraud (3,852 reports) includes fake military discount programs, fraudulent veterans' service claims, and deployment cycle-timed scams.

Tourism Industry Exposure: Myrtle Beach's 20 million annual visitors and Charleston's 7.6 million tourists create massive payment card processing volume vulnerable to skimming and data breaches. The $25 billion tourism economy generates millions of temporary transactions at hotels, restaurants, and attractions—prime targets for organized fraud rings. Credit card fraud (15,038 reports) dominates South Carolina's identity theft landscape, with seasonal spikes during tourist high seasons.

Regional Worry Significantly Underestimates Risk: Despite South Carolina's vulnerability, only 63.1% of South region respondents worry most about identity theft. The state's 421 per 100K rate combined with rapid growth means many new residents haven't adjusted security practices to match South Carolina's elevated threat environment. Coastal retirees relocating from lower-risk areas often maintain inadequate fraud prevention measures.

Port of Charleston International Gateway: The Port of Charleston, the nation's eighth-busiest container port, creates international commerce vulnerabilities. Business imposter scams (7,578 reports, $19.8 million) often target shipping companies, freight forwarders, and import/export businesses with fake vendor invoices and payment diversion schemes exploiting the complex documentation required for international trade.

The Human and Economic Impact

Behind South Carolina's 15,146 identity theft reports in 2024 (and 17,396 already in 2025 YTD) are real people whose lives were disrupted:

• Significant financial losses that can impact ability to secure loans, housing, or employment in South Carolina's competitive market
• Years of credit damage affecting ability to secure mortgages in South Carolina's competitive market
• Emotional trauma—stress, anxiety, violation feelings—persisting long after resolution
• Employment challenges—many South Carolina employers conduct credit checks, and identity theft damage can prevent job offers
• Housing difficulties—damaged credit prevents securing rentals or mortgages in South Carolina's expensive market
• Significant time investment resolving fraudulent accounts and correcting credit reports

For South Carolina families, consequences extend beyond immediate losses to include difficulty securing housing in the competitive market (where credit checks are standard), higher insurance premiums, employment challenges (tech companies often require security clearances), and potential wrongful arrests when criminals use stolen identities to commit crimes. Family identity protection plans can help protect all household members.

Identity Theft Patterns in South Carolina

Most Common Types of Identity Theft in South Carolina (2025)

FTC Consumer Sentinel Network data for South Carolina shows the following identity theft breakdown for Q1-Q3 2025:

Source: FTC Consumer Sentinel Network, South Carolina, 2025 YTD (Q1-Q3), data as of September 30, 2025

Year-over-Year Comparison: 2024 vs 2025

South Carolina identity theft trends show how 2025 YTD (Q1-Q3) compares to 2024 full-year data:

Source: FTC Consumer Sentinel Network, South Carolina, 2024 Full Year vs 2025 YTD (Q1-Q3)

2025 Q1-Q3 Quarterly Trends

Based on 2025 YTD data, several fraud categories show significant trends:

Debt Collection Scams: Exploded 161.4% since 2021 (from 161,316 to 421,730 nationally). South Carolina's high debt levels and cost of living make residents particularly vulnerable to debt collection scams.

Investment Scams: Target seniors with high-value fraud. 60-69 age group lost $501.8M nationally in Q1-Q3 2025. South Carolina's large retiree population (5.8 million seniors) faces elevated risk.

Online Shopping Fraud: 106,316 reports in Q3 2025 nationally, with 80% resulting in financial loss (85,052 victims). South Carolina's extensive e-commerce activity means residents face disproportionate exposure.

Imposter Scams: 279,487 reports in Q3 2025 nationally, with 21% resulting in financial loss (58,692 victims). South Carolina's diverse communities and immigrant populations face targeted imposter scams.

Seasonal Patterns in South Carolina

Tax Season (January-April): Identity theft surges during tax filing season as criminals race to file fraudulent returns before legitimate taxpayers. South Carolina's high-income population and complex tax situations create opportunities for tax fraud. The state's large immigrant population may face additional vulnerabilities during tax season.

Holiday Shopping Season (November-December): Major surge in credit card fraud (30-40% above baseline) coinciding with holiday shopping. South Carolina's luxury retail destinations experience concentrated fraud. Online shopping fraud, package theft-related identity crimes, and charity scams proliferate.

Real Estate Peak Season (Spring-Summer): South Carolina's real estate market peaks during spring and summer, creating opportunities for mortgage fraud, wire transfer scams, and property title theft. High-value transactions in South Carolina's expensive market attract sophisticated fraud schemes.

Back-to-School Season (August-September): College students returning to South Carolina's 400+ colleges and universities create vulnerabilities. Student identity theft, employment fraud targeting students, and financial aid fraud spike during this period.

Who's Most at Risk in South Carolina

Coastal Retirees and New Residents: South Carolina's booming retirement communities in Hilton Head, Kiawah Island, Myrtle Beach, and Charleston attract affluent retirees from high-tax states. These new residents face transitional fraud including fake moving companies, fraudulent real estate closing schemes, and investment scams marketed as South Carolina tax advantages. Romance scams (1,649 reports, $44.8 million) average $27,168 per victim, indicating sophisticated targeting of wealthy divorced or widowed retirees.

Military Members and Families: South Carolina's 56,000+ active duty personnel and their families face deployment-related vulnerability. Service members deployed overseas become targets for romance scams targeting lonely spouses, family emergency schemes, and VA benefits fraud. Military families relocating to South Carolina encounter fake housing rentals near bases, fraudulent furniture rental schemes, and advance-fee employment scams for military spouses seeking flexible work.

Tourism and Hospitality Workers: South Carolina's 330,000+ hospitality workers in Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and coastal areas face employment fraud during seasonal hiring cycles and identity theft from workplace data breaches. These workers' personal information appears in large employer databases targeted by criminals. Seasonal employment gaps create vulnerability to fake job offers and advance-fee employment schemes requiring uniform purchases before starting work.

College Students: South Carolina's 275,000+ college students at Clemson, University of South Carolina, Coastal Carolina, and The Citadel face student loan fraud and employment scams. Students pursuing hospitality and tourism careers encounter fake internship offers at resorts requiring housing deposits or training fees. Student loan consolidation scams target recent graduates with promises of forgiveness programs requiring upfront fees.

Real Estate Buyers in Hot Markets: Charleston and Greenville's booming real estate markets create wire fraud opportunities. Criminals intercept closing communications and redirect down payments to criminal-controlled accounts. Real estate fraud affects buyers, sellers, and title companies. The state's rapid appreciation (home values up 8-12% annually in growth areas) creates urgency that criminals exploit, pressing victims to wire funds quickly without thorough verification.

Small Business Owners in Tourism Sector: South Carolina's 510,000 small businesses, many in hospitality and retail, face business imposter scams and fake vendor fraud. Coastal businesses process massive seasonal credit card volume, creating vulnerability to organized fraud rings testing stolen cards. The $19.8 million in business imposter losses often involves fake supplier invoices, fraudulent service contracts, and business email compromise during tourist season cash flow peaks.

Port of Charleston Workers and Businesses: Employees and businesses connected to Charleston's port face unique fraud patterns. Shipping companies encounter fake cargo documentation, fraudulent customs broker schemes, and business email compromise redirecting shipping payments. Longshoremen and port workers face employment fraud during contract negotiations and union disputes, with fake job offers exploiting labor tensions.

Healthcare Workers: South Carolina's growing healthcare sector, serving both residents and medical tourists, faces data breach vulnerability. Hospital consolidation and system migrations create security gaps. Medical identity theft allows criminals to file false insurance claims and obtain prescription drugs. Healthcare workers' personal information gets exposed in breaches at hospitals expanding rapidly to serve population growth.

Construction Workers in Growth Markets: South Carolina's construction boom creates employment fraud targeting desperate workers. Fake contractor positions require workers to purchase tools or uniforms before starting. Subcontractor fraud involves criminals posing as general contractors, hiring workers for non-existent projects and not paying for completed work. The state's 230,000 construction workers face wage theft and employment fraud during rapid development cycles.

Protection Strategies for South Carolina Residents

South Carolina-Specific Legal Protections: South Carolina Code of Laws Section 16-13-510 provides comprehensive identity theft protections. Victims can place security freezes on credit reports for free. South Carolina's data breach notification law requires companies to notify customers. Contact the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs at (800) 922-1594 or visit scconsumer.gov for assistance and to file complaints.

New Resident and Retiree Protections: People relocating to South Carolina should verify moving companies through Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) licensing. Never wire full payment for moves—reputable companies accept credit cards and charge after delivery. Verify real estate closing instructions through phone calls to known title company numbers, never through email alone. Be wary of investment opportunities marketed as "South Carolina tax advantages"—verify all investments through South Carolina Securities Division before investing.

Credit Card Fraud Prevention (15,038 Reports): Coastal residents and tourists should enable real-time transaction alerts through card issuer apps. Use chip-and-PIN cards rather than signature-only verification at Myrtle Beach and Charleston tourist areas. Check for ATM skimming devices before using machines at beach access points and tourist attractions. Review statements within 24 hours of visiting high-traffic tourist areas to catch fraudulent charges quickly.

Romance Scam Awareness ($44.8M Losses): South Carolina's coastal retirees using dating apps should exercise extreme caution. Be suspicious of people who quickly express strong feelings, claim to be traveling for business, or face emergencies requiring money. Average losses of $27,168 indicate sophisticated long-term operations—criminals invest months building relationships. Never send money to people you haven't met extensively in person. Report romance scams to local police and South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs.

Military-Specific Protections: Service members should place active duty alerts on credit reports, which last one year and require creditors to verify identity. Monitor credit reports before, during, and after deployments. Designate a trusted contact to receive account alerts and monitor mail during deployments. Report military-related fraud to installation provost marshals and Military OneSource at (800) 342-9647. Verify housing rentals near bases through installation housing offices.

Employment Scam Prevention ($31.8M Losses): Job seekers should verify employers through South Carolina Secretary of State business search before sharing personal information or paying fees. Legitimate employers never charge application fees, background check fees, or equipment costs. Coastal hospitality positions should be verified through direct contact with hotels and resorts—be wary of employment offers requiring uniform purchases or housing deposits before starting. Report suspicious job postings to South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce at (866) 831-1724.

Real Estate Wire Fraud Prevention: Charleston and Greenville home buyers should verify all wire transfer instructions through phone calls to known title company numbers—never use contact information from emails. Confirm changes through multiple communication channels. Title companies should implement callback procedures for all wire transfer instructions. Consider wire transfer insurance for large down payments. Verbally confirm recipient bank details before initiating any real estate-related wire transfers.

Small Business Safeguards: South Carolina business owners should establish payment verification procedures requiring verbal confirmation for all wire transfers over $10,000. Implement DMARC email authentication to prevent domain spoofing. Train seasonal employees to recognize business email compromise indicators: urgent requests, executive impersonation, and requests to bypass approval processes. Use dedicated payment approval email addresses never shared externally.

Port and International Trade Protections: Charleston port businesses should verify international wire transfer instructions through multiple communication channels—never rely solely on email. Use letters of credit for international transactions when possible. Verify customs broker credentials through U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Report port-related fraud to Coast Guard Sector Charleston at (843) 740-7050.

Tourism Industry Worker Protections: Hospitality workers should monitor credit reports quarterly for signs of identity theft from workplace data breaches. Place fraud alerts on credit reports during seasonal employment gaps. Be wary of off-season employment offers requiring fees. Verify seasonal employers through South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation before sharing personal information.

Student Protection Measures: College students should verify scholarship offers and internship opportunities through university career services before sharing personal information or paying fees. Never wire money for off-campus housing deposits before physically viewing properties and verifying landlord legitimacy through property records. Be wary of resort internships requiring housing deposits or training fees before starting work.

South Carolina-Specific Resources: File identity theft reports with local police (Charleston: 843-743-7200, Columbia: 803-545-3500) and obtain case numbers. Contact South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs at (800) 922-1594 or file online at scconsumer.gov. Submit FTC reports at identitytheft.gov. For military fraud, contact installation provost marshals. Real estate fraud reports go to South Carolina Real Estate Commission at (803) 896-4400. Report port fraud to Coast Guard Sector Charleston at (843) 740-7050. Securities fraud reports go to South Carolina Attorney General Securities Division at (803) 734-9916.

How to Report Identity Theft in South Carolina

Immediate Actions (First 48 Hours)

Step 1: Document Everything

• Screenshot all fraudulent transactions
• Save emails, texts, or calls from fraudsters
• Create dedicated folder for all identity theft documentation
• Start detailed timeline of events—critical for South Carolina's often complex cases

Step 2: Place Fraud Alerts

Call any one credit bureau to place fraud alert (they notify the other two). Makes identity theft harder for criminals and entitles you to free credit reports.

Step 3: File Reports

• FTC: IdentityTheft.gov to create official federal report
• Local Police: File report with your local police department (required by many creditors)
• South Carolina AG: File complaint with South Carolina Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division

Step 4: Contact Affected Institutions

• Close compromised accounts immediately
• Dispute fraudulent charges in writing—verbal disputes aren't legally sufficient
• Request fraud affidavits from financial institutions
• Change ALL passwords and PINs, even for accounts not obviously affected

Week 1-2: Secure Your Identity

Freeze Credit Reports: Contact all three bureaus to freeze reports. Free, reversible, prevents new accounts.

Request Extended Fraud Alert: With police report, you're entitled to 7-year fraud alert (vs. standard 1-year). This is crucial in South Carolina where sophisticated criminals may make repeated attempts.

Review All Credit Reports: Order reports from all three bureaus. Examine every account, inquiry, and personal information entry. Dispute all fraudulent items in writing with copies of police report and FTC Identity Theft Report.

Month 1-3: Deep Clean & Monitor

Close All Fraudulent Accounts: Send certified letters to creditors disputing charges. Include copy of FTC report and police report. Keep copies of all correspondence—South Carolina victims often need documentation for months or years.

Monitor Aggressively: Check credit reports regularly for an extended period. South Carolina's sophisticated fraud networks may make repeated attempts using stolen information. Review bank/credit statements weekly. Set up account alerts for all transactions over $50.

Address Specific Fraud Types:

• Tax Fraud: File Form 14039 with IRS, request Identity Protection PIN for future filings at IRS.gov
• Medical Fraud: Request medical records, dispute charges with insurance companies
• Real Estate/Mortgage Fraud: Alert title companies, mortgage servicers; may require attorney in South Carolina's complex real estate market. Home title monitoring can help prevent future incidents
• Employment Fraud: Contact employers where fraudulent employment occurred, file with Social Security Administration at SSA.gov

Long-Term Recovery

Identity theft recovery timelines vary significantly by case complexity. Simple cases involving a single credit card may resolve relatively quickly, while moderate cases with multiple accounts typically require more extensive documentation and follow-up. Complex cases involving criminal identity theft, tax fraud, or real estate fraud can take substantially longer to resolve. Tech industry cases involving business accounts or investment accounts may require the most extensive recovery efforts due to the complexity of business financial systems and high-value transactions.

When to Seek Professional Help:

• Criminal charges filed in your name
• Multiple fraud types occurring simultaneously
• Real estate fraud involving property titles (common in South Carolina)
• Creditors refusing to remove fraudulent accounts
• Cases exceeding $50,000 in total losses (more common in high-cost South Carolina)
• Business identity theft (common for South Carolina entrepreneurs)

South Carolina Identity Theft Resources

State Resources

South Carolina Attorney General - Consumer Protection Division: (800) 952-5225

oag.ca.gov/consumers - File complaints, access victim assistance, fraud education

South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs: (800) 952-5210

dca.ca.gov - Consumer protection, licensing, fraud reporting

South Carolina Department of Technology - Office of Information Security: (916) 445-8100

For cases involving sophisticated cybercrime or data breaches

Federal Resources

FTC Identity Theft Hotline: IdentityTheft.gov or (877) 438-4338

FBI Field Offices: Contact your local FBI field office for identity theft reporting assistance.

Social Security Fraud Hotline: (800) 269-0271 | Visit SSA.gov to create a My Social Security account

IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit: (800) 908-4490 | Request an IP PIN at IRS.gov

Credit Bureaus (Fraud Alerts & Freezes)

Place fraud alerts and freezes with all three bureaus:

• Experian: (888) 397-3742
• Equifax: (800) 685-1111
• TransUnion: (888) 909-8872

South Carolina Support Services

Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC): (888) 400-5530 - Free victim assistance with live counselors. Visit idtheftcenter.org for resources

South Carolina Victim Compensation Board: (800) 777-9229 - Financial assistance for crime victims

Legal Aid Organizations: South Carolina has numerous legal aid organizations providing free assistance to low-income identity theft victims

Frequently Asked Questions: South Carolina Identity Theft

Why does South Carolina have the highest absolute number of identity theft reports?

South Carolina's population means even its #11 per-capita ranking (334 per 100K) results in the highest absolute numbers (15,146 reports). The state's economic significance , high cost of living creating high-value targets, technology industry concentration, diverse immigrant populations, and extensive online commerce all contribute to elevated risk.

What are the most common types of identity theft in South Carolina?

Credit card fraud dominates (49% of cases, 68,323 reports), followed by other identity theft (28%), loan/lease fraud (13%), bank account fraud (9%), employment/tax fraud (7%), and government benefits fraud (5%). South Carolina's high-income population and expensive real estate make credit card and loan fraud particularly lucrative.

Are tech industry workers at higher risk in South Carolina?

Yes. technology centers's tech workers face sophisticated fraud schemes targeting their substantial assets. High-income levels, access to sensitive systems, frequent job changes, and business ownership create vulnerabilities. Tech workers should use enhanced monitoring including dark web surveillance and investment account monitoring.

How does South Carolina's real estate market create fraud risks?

South Carolina's expensive real estate (median home price $800,000+) attracts sophisticated fraud schemes. Property title theft, mortgage fraud, wire transfer scams, and rental fraud have surged. High-value transactions mean fraud can involve hundreds of thousands of dollars. Property title monitoring and wire transfer verification are essential.

What should recent immigrants in South Carolina do differently?

Recent immigrants should establish credit monitoring early (limited credit history makes fraud detection harder), use language-accessible resources (South Carolina provides multilingual fraud resources), secure immigration documents carefully, and monitor both U.S. and home country accounts if applicable. Don't let language barriers prevent fraud reporting.

Are college students at higher risk in South Carolina?

Yes. South Carolina's 400+ colleges and universities with 3+ million students⁴ create concentrated vulnerable populations. Students face limited credit history, social media oversharing, phishing vulnerabilities, and financial inexperience. Credit freezes, social media privacy, and phishing education are essential for South Carolina students.