As Thanksgiving approaches, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is urging residents to remain vigilant against financial scams. He warned that con artists are taking advantage of the holiday season to target investors and attempt to access their savings.
The warning comes as the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) released its 2025 Enforcement Report, which identified scams involving digital assets, social media, and impersonation as some of the leading threats this year. The report highlights how advancements in artificial intelligence have enabled scammers to create more convincing schemes, such as cloning voices and generating fake videos to impersonate trusted individuals or institutions. These tactics are designed to trick victims into sharing personal information or transferring funds.
“Scammers are serving up more convincing schemes than ever before,” said Attorney General Wilson. “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.”
To help protect their finances, the Securities Division of the Attorney General’s Office recommends several steps for investors:
– Always confirm that investment professionals or firms are properly registered within the state.
– Be wary of unsolicited investment offers received via social media, text messages, or messaging apps.
– Treat high-pressure tactics urging immediate action as warning signs.
– If an offer sounds too good to be true, it likely is.
Attorney General Wilson also encouraged anyone who suspects a scam or has been affected by financial fraud to contact his office’s Securities Division by phone at 803-734-9916 or by email. Investors can file complaints or request investor protection speakers through the Attorney General’s Office website at InformedInvestorSC.com.
Further resources on recognizing and preventing investment fraud are available at InformedInvestorSC.com and through NASAA’s investor education center.
