Filing a Consumer Complaint in South Carolina
How to report a business to the South Carolina Attorney General or consumer agency, and your rights under the state's consumer protection law.
Short answer: The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) processes and mediates written consumer complaints and encourages consumers to contact the business first. South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs, Consumer Complaints
| Filing a complaint | The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) processes and mediates written consumer complaints and encourages consumers to contact the business first. Complaints can be filed through the online complaint portal or on a paper form mailed to PO Box 5757, Columbia, SC 29250. SCDCA refers complaints that belong to other agencies, and its online database lets the public search complaints filed since 2014. Staff can be reached at (800) 922-1594 (toll free in South Carolina) or 803-734-4200. |
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| Unfair and deceptive practices law | The South Carolina Unfair Trade Practices Act declares unfair or deceptive acts or practices in trade or commerce unlawful. A person who suffers an ascertainable loss of money or property may sue individually (not as a class) for actual damages; if the violation was willful or knowing, the court must award three times actual damages. The court must also award reasonable attorney's fees and costs when it finds a violation. |
Where to get help in South Carolina
More South Carolina consumer protection
- The Lemon Law in South Carolina
- Your Right to Cancel a Purchase in South Carolina
- Contractors and Repair Shops in South Carolina
- All South Carolina consumer protection rules
FAQ
How do you file a consumer complaint in South Carolina?
The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) processes and mediates written consumer complaints and encourages consumers to contact the business first. Complaints can be filed through the online complaint portal or on a paper form mailed to PO Box 5757, Columbia, SC 29250. SCDCA refers complaints that belong to other agencies, and its online database lets the public search complaints filed since 2014. Staff can be reached at (800) 922-1594 (toll free in South Carolina) or 803-734-4200.
What is the consumer protection law in South Carolina?
The South Carolina Unfair Trade Practices Act declares unfair or deceptive acts or practices in trade or commerce unlawful. A person who suffers an ascertainable loss of money or property may sue individually (not as a class) for actual damages; if the violation was willful or knowing, the court must award three times actual damages. The court must also award reasonable attorney's fees and costs when it finds a violation.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.