Protecting South Carolina Seniors from Government Impersonation Scams
Government impersonation scams are surging nationwide, and South Carolina seniors are not immune. In 2025, 233 older adults in South Carolina reported government impersonation fraud to the FBI. Scammers pose as officials from the IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, or law enforcement to frighten seniors into sending money or revealing personal information.
Why South Carolina Seniors Are Targeted
South Carolina’s population and culture create specific vulnerabilities that government impersonation scammers exploit:
- Top retirement destination: South Carolina’s warm climate and low taxes attract retirees from across the country, concentrating wealthy targets
- Military communities: Joint Base Charleston, Fort Jackson, and other installations bring military retirees targeted by VA impersonation scams
- Southern hospitality: South Carolina’s warm culture makes seniors more likely to engage with and trust unknown callers
- Rural Lowcountry: Rural areas of the Lowcountry and Upstate have limited access to in-person tech support and consumer protection
- Coastal resort communities: Retirees in Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, and other resort areas may be targeted through timeshare and real estate scams
5-Year Trend: Government Impersonation Scam Losses in South Carolina (2021–2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Losses | YoY Change |
| 2021 | 51 | $225K | — |
| 2022 | 33 | $3.3M | +1348% |
| 2023 | 79 | $378K | -88% |
| 2024 | 149 | $9.1M | +2314% |
| 2025 | 233 | $11.2M | +22% |
| 5-Year Total | 545 | $24.2M | +4868% |
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Reports, 2021–2025. Victims and losses for South Carolina residents aged 60 and older.
South Carolina ranks #9 nationally in government impersonation scam losses targeting seniors, with $11.2 million lost in 2025 across 233 reported victims. That represents 2.6% of all U.S. government impersonation scam losses against older adults. Year over year, losses changed +22%, outperforming the national average of +95%. Over the full five-year period, government impersonation scam losses in South Carolina grew +4868%.
Complete guide: For detailed warning signs, protection strategies, and what to do if you’ve been targeted, read our comprehensive Government Impersonation Scam Prevention Guide. You can also take our free Online Training courses to test your knowledge.
Report Government Impersonation Scams in South Carolina
- Office of the South Carolina Attorney General: (803) 734-3970 | scag.gov
- Social Security OIG: oig.ssa.gov
- IRS: irs.gov/report-phishing
- FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- FBI IC3: ic3.gov
- South Carolina Adult Protective Services: (888) 227-3487
Free Training Available
Take our free online course to learn more about protecting yourself from government impersonation scams:
→ Start Government Impersonation Scam Awareness Training (Module 5)