How common is identity theft in South Carolina? (2026 Update)

Understanding South Carolina's identity theft crisis

South Carolina faces an identity theft crisis, ranking #11 nationally by per-capita rate (334 reports per 100K) with 17,396 identity theft reports in just Q1-Q3 2025—already at 115.0% 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. For comprehensive national context, see our 2025 Identity Theft Statistics report. All data is based on FTC Consumer Sentinel Network data.

The concentration of identity theft in South Carolina reflects the state's unique vulnerabilities and risk factors affecting the state's 5.4 million residents. Comprehensive identity theft protection is essential for South Carolina residents.

Why South Carolina ranks #11 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% annually³. 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 disproportionately affect 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 personnel⁴ face deployment-related fraud, VA benefit schemes, and romance scams targeting service members and spouses. Government benefits fraud includes fake military discount programs, fraudulent veterans' service claims, and deployment cycle-timed scams.

Tourism Industry Exposure: Myrtle Beach's 20 million annual visitors⁵ and Charleston's 7.6 million tourists⁶ create massive payment card processing volume vulnerable to skimming and data breaches. The $25 billion tourism economy⁷ generates millions of temporary transactions at hotels, restaurants, and attractions—prime targets for organized fraud rings. Credit card fraud 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 about identity theft⁸. The state's 334 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 port⁹, creates international commerce vulnerabilities. Business imposter scams 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.

By income & socioeconomic status

Identity theft in South Carolina cuts across income levels but manifests differently:

High-Income (>$150K): Targeted for sophisticated fraud—wire transfer scams, investment fraud, real estate title theft, business identity theft. High-income residents maintain higher credit limits and account balances, making them attractive targets.

Middle-Income ($40K-$100K): Highest volume of victims. Have established credit but may lack resources for premium monitoring services. Actively use credit for mortgages, auto loans, education—all fraud vectors.

Lower-Income (<$40K): Disproportionately impacted by government benefits fraud, particularly SNAP fraud, unemployment fraud, and healthcare fraud. May have less financial cushion to absorb losses and fewer resources for recovery.

For comparison, see how South Carolina compares to other high-risk states like Georgia.

Fraud patterns and identity theft statistics

Most common types of identity theft in South Carolina (2025)

Based on FTC Consumer Sentinel Network data for South Carolina, the following identity theft types are most prevalent:

Source: FTC Consumer Sentinel Network, South Carolina Identity Theft Data, 2025 YTD (Q1-Q3)

Year-over-year comparison (2024 vs 2025 YTD)

South Carolina reported 17,396 identity theft reports in Q1-Q3 2025, compared to 15,146 reports for the full year 2024. This represents 115.0% of the 2024 total in just three quarters, indicating South Carolina is on track to exceed 2024's numbers.

For comprehensive national context and trends, see our 2025 Identity Theft Statistics report.

2025 YTD South Carolina trends by age group

Identity theft victimization varies significantly by age, with different age groups facing distinct fraud patterns and loss amounts.

Source: FTC Consumer Sentinel Network, South Carolina Age & Fraud Data, 2025 YTD (Q1-Q3)

Who is at risk of identity theft 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 target sophisticated wealthy divorced or widowed retirees with substantial average losses.

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 workers¹⁰ 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 students¹¹ 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 businesses¹², 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. Business imposter losses often involve 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 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 workers¹³ face wage theft and employment fraud during rapid development cycles.

How to protect yourself from fraud in South Carolina

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: Coastal residents and tourists should enable real-time transaction alerts through card issuer apps. Use chip-and-PIN cards rather than signature-only verification in 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: 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. Romance scams involve 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: 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.

Recommended response to unusual credit activity

If you notice unusual credit activity or want to proactively protect against new account fraud, credit freezes prevent new accounts from being opened in your name. Contact all three bureaus:

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

Free, reversible, doesn't affect credit scores, can be temporarily lifted for legitimate credit applications. For ongoing protection, consider credit monitoring from all three bureaus.

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

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 - Consumer Affairs (803) 734-4200

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).

Review All Credit Reports: Order reports from all three bureaus. Examine every account, inquiry, and personal information entry. Dispute all fraud vectors.

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.

Monitor Aggressively: Check credit reports regularly for an extended period. 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. 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.

When to Seek Professional Help:

• Criminal charges filed in your name
• Multiple fraud types occurring simultaneously
• Real estate fraud involving property titles
• Creditors refusing to remove fraudulent accounts
• Cases exceeding $50,000 in total losses
• Business identity theft

South Carolina identity theft resources

State resources

South Carolina Attorney General - Consumer Affairs: (803) 734-4200

https://www.scag.gov/consumer-affairs - Consumer complaints, fraud reporting

Federal resources

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

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

Support services

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

Frequently asked questions

Why does South Carolina rank #11 nationally for identity theft?

South Carolina ranks #11 nationally with 334 reports per 100K residents in 2025 YTD. The state's unique risk factors contribute to elevated identity theft rates.

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

Credit card fraud, loan/lease fraud, and other identity theft categories are the most common types reported in South Carolina.

How many identity theft reports were filed in South Carolina in 2025?

South Carolina reported 17,396 identity theft reports in Q1-Q3 2025, already at 115.0% of 2024's full-year total of 15,146.

What should I do if I'm a victim of identity theft in South Carolina?

Immediately file reports with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov, your local police department, and the South Carolina Attorney General. Place fraud alerts with all three credit bureaus and freeze your credit reports.

Are there state-specific identity theft laws in South Carolina?

Yes. South Carolina has specific identity theft laws. Check with the South Carolina Attorney General's office for details on state-specific protections and reporting requirements.

How can I protect myself from identity theft in South Carolina?

Given South Carolina's #11 ranking, comprehensive protection is essential. Use credit freezes, enable transaction alerts, monitor credit reports regularly, and consider identity theft protection services designed for high-risk areas.