Department of Consumer Affairs Documents

The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs publishes a variety of reports and brochures on consumer protection and safety, many designed for the general public.

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Recent Submissions

  • Publication
    Financial Monitoring Tools You've Overlooked
    (South Carolina State Library, 2024-06-13) South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs
    This document includes prevention tips about identity theft.
  • Publication
    Auto Guide for Consumers
    (South Carolina State Library, 2024-07-01) South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs
    Purchasing a car can be one of the most expensive decisions you will ever make. From financing to fees to scams, the process can be overwhelming. Follow the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs' road map for getting your new set of wheels.
  • Publication
    SC Nonprofit Corporation Act
    (South Carolina State Library, 2021-03-04) South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs
    The Nonprofit Corporation Act applies to a business, including homeowners associations, that have filed its nonprofit articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State. The law provides details on meetings (including notice & quorum requirements), rules for the board of directors, access to records and more. This paper contains highlights of the law. It does not serve as a substitute for reviewing the actual statute.
  • Publication
    HOA : before you buy
    (South Carolina State Library, 2019-10-04) South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs
    Homeowners associations (HOAs) have steadily become more prevalent in recent years. Knowledge is power. Here are some quick tips to get you started on research to help you decide if a home within a particular association is the right fit for you.
  • Publication
    Identity Theft Unit : fifth anniversary data
    (South Carolina State Library, 2018-10-17) South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs. Identity Theft Unit
    In October 2013, SCDCA launched its Identity Theft Unit. No two cases of identity theft are the same. With this fact in mind, the Unit provides tailored remediation guidance to consumers. The Unit also takes scam reports, allowing the Department to track trends in the marketplace, and ultimately warn consumers what to avoid.
  • Publication
    Identity Theft Unit : fourth anniversary data
    (South Carolina State Library, 2017-10-11) South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs. Identity Theft Unit
    In October 2013, SCDCA launched its Identity Theft Unit. No two cases of identity theft are the same. With this fact in mind, the Unit provides tailored remediation guidance to consumers. The Unit also takes scam reports, allowing the Department to track trends in the marketplace, and ultimately warn consumers what to avoid.
  • Publication
    Security breach notice report
    (South Carolina State Library, 2017-03-30) South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs
    This is a review of the requirements of the Financial Identity Fraud and Identity Theft Protection Act and the security breach notices received by the Department.
  • Publication
    Security breach notice report
    (South Carolina State Library, 2016-06) South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs
    This is a review of the requirements of the Financial Identity Fraud and Identity Theft Protection Act and the security breach notices received by the Department.
  • Publication
    Security breach notice report
    (South Carolina State Library, 2015-08-25) South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs
    This is a review of the requirements of the Financial Identity Fraud and Identity Theft Protection Act and the security breach notices received by the Department.
  • Publication
    Identity theft : business practices & consumer protections
    (South Carolina State Library, 2013-04-23) South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs; Phillips, Marti
    This PowerPoint presentation serves as an introduction and overview to identity theft.
  • Publication
    Debt collection : consumer rights & issues
    (South Carolina State Library, 2013-04-23) Phillips, Marti; South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs
    This PowerPoint presentation serves as an introduction and overview of the debt collection process in South Carolina.
  • Publication
    Mortgage law update : rulemaking by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or Bureau
    (South Carolina State Library, 2013-04-29) Knight, Charles M.; South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs
    This PowerPoint presentation gives an update to the CFPB 2013 mortgage final rules overview.
  • Publication
    The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau : continuing to build
    (South Carolina State Library, 2013-04-23) South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs
    This PowerPoint presentation serves as an introduction to, and overview of, the CFPB and of the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs.
  • Publication
    Complaint trends 2017
    (South Carolina State Library, 2018-05-30) South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs
    The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) is the state consumer protection agency and has the role of receiving and mediating consumer complaints. The Department takes consumer complaints against businesses regulated by SCDCA, refers those that fall within another agency’s jurisdiction, and handles complaints against businesses that are unregulated. Complaints also help inform us about illegal business practices, enforce consumer protection laws and identify market trends. The data included within this report was collected between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017.
  • Publication
    SCDCA's auto guide for consumers
    (South Carolina State Library, 2012-12-20) South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs
    Purchasing a car can be one of the most expensive decisions you will ever make. From financing to fees to scams, the process can be overwhelming. Follow the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs' road map for getting your new set of wheels.
  • Publication
    How to place, thaw or lift a security freeze
    (South Carolina State Library, 2012-11-02) South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs
    When a security freeze is in place, a business that receives an application for products or services cannot get access to your credit report without your permission. The freeze will not affect your ability to pull your own credit report or receive credit monitoring services and businesses you currently have a relationship with can still access your report. To place a freeze you must contact each of the three major credit reporting agencies. When you place the freeze, you will receive a Personal Identification Number (PIN). When you want to apply for new products or services, the PIN will be required to temporarily lift (‘thaw”) the freeze either for a specified creditor or a specified time. The PIN is also needed to permanently remove the freeze. Make sure to keep it in a safe place. It is FREE to place, thaw and lift the freeze for South Carolina residents.
  • Publication
    SCDCA spotlight : identity theft : credit monitoring
    (South Carolina State Library, 2013-05-28) South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs
    Thousands of South Carolina consumers enrolled in the ProtectMyID credit monitoring program, a positive step in minimizing the effects of the breach. ProtectMyID alerts a consumer when new information is posted to their credit report, such as accounts created, change of address and change in public record information. However, it is up to the consumer receiving the alert to verify whether the information was a result of their action or identity theft. Get an alert? Take the steps listed here.
  • Publication
    Consumer credit counseling annual report data
    (South Carolina State Library, 2015-10-13) South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs
    Consumer Credit Counseling Organizations must file an annual report with the Department on or before April 15th. The report requests information regarding the credit counseling business conducted with South Carolina consumers during the prior calendar year. The data here consists of consolidated information from the annual reports filed with the Department.
  • Publication
    Consumer credit counseling annual report data
    (South Carolina State Library, 2014-01-22) South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs
    Consumer Credit Counseling Organizations must file an annual report with the Department on or before April 15th. The report requests information regarding the credit counseling business conducted with South Carolina consumers during the prior calendar year. The data here consists of consolidated information from the annual reports filed with the Department.
  • Publication
    Consumer credit counseling annual report data
    (South Carolina State Library, 2012-12-18) South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs
    Consumer Credit Counseling Organizations must file an annual report with the Department on or before April 15th. The report requests information regarding the credit counseling business conducted with South Carolina consumers during the prior calendar year. The data here consists of consolidated information from the annual reports filed with the Department.