SC Department of Consumer Affairs

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SC Department of Consumer Affairs SCDCA aims to protect consumers from inequities in the marketplace.

Established in 1974 by the Consumer Protection Code (Code), Sections 37-1-101 et seq., the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA or Department) is the state consumer protection agency. SCDCA is the administrator and enforcer of the Code, as well as other regulatory statutes outside the Code. In this capacity, the Department helps to formulate and modify consumer laws, policies and regulations; regulates the consumer credit marketplace; resolves complaints arising out of the production, promotion or sale of consumer goods or services in South Carolina, whether or not credit is involved; and promotes a healthy competitive business climate with mutual confidence between buyers and sellers. Overall, the agency protects consumers while giving due regard to those businesses acting in a fair and honest manner.

11/04/2026

Test your social media smarts! How many of these facts did you know? Remember, think before posting online. Identity thieves use the information you post online to try and guess your passwords, security questions, and/or steal your identity.

Learn how to manage your digital footprint and protect your personal information by watching our latest webinar, ▶️ Social Media Smarts: https://youtu.be/j99PkfEb87o

Join us for our free webinars every Wednesday. In November, we'll talk about the utility ratemaking process, Medicare op...
11/03/2026

Join us for our free webinars every Wednesday. In November, we'll talk about the utility ratemaking process, Medicare open enrollment, and online shopping tips to keep your information safe this holiday shopping season.

Register at consumer.sc.gov/upcoming-presentationswebinars

SCDCA offers free educational resources. Join our upcoming webinars to learn more about the laws that apply to your busi...
11/01/2026

SCDCA offers free educational resources. Join our upcoming webinars to learn more about the laws that apply to your business and how they help support a fair, competitive business environment in South Carolina.

Register for free today! https://consumer.sc.gov/upcoming-presentationswebinars

10/29/2026

Your password shouldn’t be your only line of defense.

Even strong passwords can be stolen, guessed, or exposed. Multifactor authentication (MFA) adds another layer of protection by asking you to verify your identity in more than one way.

You may already use MFA without realizing it. Examples include:

👆 Fingerprint recognition — Verify your identity with your fingerprint.
😊 Facial recognition — Use your face to confirm it’s really you.
📱 Code sent to your phone — Enter a one-time verification code.
🔑 Authenticator app — Generate a secure code through an authentication app.
❓ Security questions — Provide an answer only you should know.

The takeaway: Turn on MFA whenever it’s available. And when you have a choice, consider using stronger, more phishing-resistant methods such as an authenticator app or security key.

Have you enabled MFA on your most important accounts?

What makes this email a scam?1. Creates panic: “24 hours” and “permanently suspended.”2. Includes a potentially dangerou...
10/27/2026

What makes this email a scam?
1. Creates panic: “24 hours” and “permanently suspended.”
2. Includes a potentially dangerous link: Phishing emails commonly direct victims to fake login pages.
3. Requests sensitive information: Legitimate organizations generally won't ask you to provide passwords or other personal information by email.
4. Uses a suspicious sender address: The domain doesn't belong to the supposed organization.
5. Uses a generic greeting: “Dear Customer” can indicate a mass phishing campaign.
6. Uses threats and pressure: Scammers want you to act before you have time to verify the message.

Best practice: Don't click the link. Instead, independently navigate to the organization's official website or use a phone number you already know is legitimate to verify the message.

Learn More: https://consumer.sc.gov/consumer-resources/consumer-faqs/scam-education

Why should you enable multi-factor authentication? It provides extra security by requiring an additional step to log int...
10/23/2026

Why should you enable multi-factor authentication? It provides extra security by requiring an additional step to log into accounts. This protects your accounts even if hackers know your password.

Go beyond passwords! Learn the basics of multifactor authentication at consumer.sc.gov.

Is your password strong enough? Follow these tips to keep your information safe.
10/22/2026

Is your password strong enough? Follow these tips to keep your information safe.

Have too many passwords to remember? Passkeys are a form of multifactor authentication that allow you to sign into an ac...
10/19/2026

Have too many passwords to remember? Passkeys are a form of multifactor authentication that allow you to sign into an account or application without typing a password. Instead, you use biometrics (like facial recognition) or a PIN to verify you are the owner of the account.

Learn more about passkeys at: consumer.sc.gov/passkeys

Address

293 Greystone Boulevard
Columbia, SC
29210

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+18009221594

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