South Carolina · Tax debt relief scams
Tax debt relief scams in South Carolina
If a non-lawyer took your money in South Carolina — under the guise of tax debt relief scams — South Carolina law is on your side. Here's how the claim works.
Reviewed July 2026 by the FakeLawyerReport editorial team
Why this is illegal in South Carolina
'Tax attorney' pitches from unlicensed firms — Offer in Compromise, IRS negotiation, wage-garnishment fixes — are one of the most common UPL scams. Refunds are recoverable.
South Carolina's UPL statute: S.C. Code § 40-5-310
South Carolina makes it a felony to practice law without being admitted by the state Supreme Court. The Commission on the Unauthorized Practice of Law investigates and refers cases.
Penalties in South Carolina
Felony — up to 5 years and/or a $5,000 fine per violation, plus civil injunctions.
What you can recover
- A full refund of every dollar you paid.
- Statutory or civil damages under South Carolina's consumer-protection laws.
- Attorneys' fees in most cases — often no out-of-pocket cost.
- Referral to a licensed South Carolina attorney to try to fix the underlying case.
How to report tax debt relief scams in South Carolina
- File with South Carolina Bar — the state bar's UPL committee.
- File a consumer complaint with the South Carolina Attorney General.
- Submit your case on this site for a free confidential review with a licensed South Carolina attorney who handles UPL recovery.
Related resources
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