Protecting South Carolina Seniors from Tech Support Scams
In 2025, 340 South Carolina seniors reported tech support scam complaints to the FBI, contributing to total elder fraud losses of $97.3 million statewide. Tech support scams are among the most common and devastating forms of fraud targeting older adults. This guide will help you recognize, avoid, and report tech support scams.
Why South Carolina Seniors Are Especially Vulnerable
South Carolina has unique characteristics that put its senior population at heightened risk:
- 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: Tech Support Scam Losses in South Carolina (2021–2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Losses | YoY Change |
| 2021 | 188 | $3.6M | — |
| 2022 | 344 | $6.7M | +87% |
| 2023 | 320 | $7.4M | +10% |
| 2024 | 325 | $9.9M | +34% |
| 2025 | 340 | $13.9M | +40% |
| 5-Year Total | 1,517 | $41.4M | +287% |
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 #21 nationally in tech support scam losses targeting seniors, with $13.9 million lost in 2025 across 340 reported victims. That represents 1.3% of all U.S. tech support scam losses against older adults. Year over year, losses surged +40% — significantly faster than the national average of +5%. Over the full five-year period, tech support scam losses in South Carolina grew +287%.
Complete guide: For detailed warning signs, protection strategies, and what to do if you’ve been targeted, read our comprehensive Tech Support Scam Prevention Guide. You can also take our free Online Training courses to test your knowledge.
Report Tech Support Scams in South Carolina
- Office of the South Carolina Attorney General: (803) 734-3970 | scag.gov
- FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- FBI IC3: ic3.gov
- Microsoft: microsoft.com/reportascam
Free Training Available
Take our free online course to learn more about protecting yourself from tech support scams:
→ Start Tech Support Scam Awareness Training (Module 2)