As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is reminding investors to be highly alert for scammers looking to commit financial fraud. The Attorney General urged residents not to allow con artists to carve into their savings this holiday season.
According to the North American Securities Administrators Association’s (NASAA) 2025 Enforcement Report, the leading threats this year continue to involve digital assets, social media schemes, and impersonation. The sophistication of these attacks has been amplified by Artificial Intelligence (AI), which allows criminals to clone voices, generate fake videos, and impersonate trusted individuals or institutions. These tools are used to mislead victims into sharing personal information, transferring funds, or granting access to accounts, resulting in potentially devastating financial losses.
The Attorney General stated that scammers are serving up more convincing schemes than ever before. He advised the public to take a moment to verify the identity of the person or entity they are dealing with before handing over hard-earned money, emphasizing that a quick check can keep savings safe.
Tips for a Fraud-Free Holiday
The Securities Division of the Attorney General’s Office encourages investors to follow these steps to protect their finances:
- Check the Ingredients: Always verify that any investment professional or firm is properly registered in South Carolina. Investors can search for their adviser or broker-dealer agent through the Attorney General’s Office.
- Don’t Bite Too Fast: Be cautious of unsolicited investment offers, particularly those shared through social media, texts, or messaging applications.
- Avoid the Pressure Cooker: Treat urgent requests to act now as a red flag. Real, legitimate opportunities rarely come with an expiration timer, and if an offer seems too good to be true, it likely is.
Attorney General Wilson also asks anyone who suspects a scam or has been a victim of financial fraud to contact the Securities Division of the Attorney General’s Office by calling 803-734-9916 or by emailing [email protected]. Investors can submit a complaint or request an investor protection speaker by visiting the Attorney General’s Office website, InformedInvestorSC.com.
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