As Thanksgiving approaches, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is urging residents to be cautious of financial scams that tend to increase during the holiday season. According to the 2025 Enforcement Report from the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), digital asset schemes, social media frauds, and impersonation remain major threats this year. The report notes that artificial intelligence tools have enabled scammers to create more convincing deceptions by cloning voices, generating fake videos, and impersonating trusted individuals or institutions.
Attorney General Wilson stated, “Scammers are serving up more convincing schemes than ever before. Before you hand over your hard-earned money, take a moment to verify who you’re dealing with. A quick check can keep your savings off the fraudster’s menu.”
The Securities Division of the Attorney General’s Office recommends several steps for investors to protect their finances: verify that any investment professional or firm is properly registered in your state or province; be wary of unsolicited investment offers received through social media or messaging apps; and recognize high-pressure tactics as warning signs of potential fraud.
Wilson also encourages anyone who suspects a scam or has been a victim of financial fraud to contact the Securities Division by calling 803-734-9916 or emailing [email protected]. Complaints can also be submitted and information about investor protection speakers requested at InformedInvestorSC.com.
Further information on how to identify and avoid investment fraud is available at InformedInvestorSC.com and through NASAA’s investor education resources center.
