Does South Carolina require registration for Debt Collection telemarketers?

South Carolina does not require separate telemarketer registration; federal FTC rules still apply.

What is the penalty per violation in South Carolina?

Up to $1,000 per violation (or $5,000 for willful violations). Private right of action available.

Home / States / South Carolina

South Carolina Telecom Compliance Guide

Q: What are the top compliance violations for Debt Collection operators in South Carolina?

Calling outside FDCPA time restrictions Exceeding call frequency limits Calling cell phones without consent

Telecom Compliance Reference — Updated January 2023

Mini-TCPA State — High Risk

Calling Hours

8:00 AM–9:00 PM

Min Penalty

$1,000

Registration

Not Required

Overview Calling Hours Consent Registration DNC Compliance DNC Registry Enforcement Case Law Legislation

Debt Collection Telemarketing Compliance in South Carolina

Debt collection calling compliance — FDCPA plus TCPA in South Carolina

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Mini-TCPA State — S.C. Code § 16-17-446

South Carolina imposes stricter consent and calling requirements than federal TCPA.Debt Collection companies operating here face $1,000 per-violation penalties.

Penalty/Violation

$1,000

Willful

$5,000

Calling Hours

8:00 AM–9:00 PM

Private Suit

Allowed

Compliance Checklist

✓Comply with both FDCPA and TCPA — they overlap but differ

✓Do not call before 8 AM or after 9 PM local time

✓Do not call more than 7 times in 7 days per debt

✓Obtain prior express consent to call cell phones

✓Scrub numbers that have requested no further contact

✓Provide validation notice within 5 days of first contact

✓Honor cease-communication requests immediately in writing

✓Do not use obscene language or threats

✓Identify yourself as a debt collector on every call

✓Check if state has its own debt collection act

What Gets Companies Sued

✗Calling outside FDCPA time restrictions

✗Exceeding call frequency limits

✗Calling cell phones without consent

✗Failing to identify as debt collector

✗Ignoring cease-communication requests

Key State Rules

Mini-TCPAYes

RegistrationNot Required

Class ActionsNot specified

Consent Requirements→Registration Details→DNC List→

Debt Collection Enforcement in South Carolina

Palmetto Financial Services Inc.

$275,000

Feb 2024

robocallsdnc violation

SC AG enforced DNC violations against debt collection robocaller.

All enforcement actions in South Carolina →

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This is a compliance reference tool, not legal advice. Data compiled from public statutes, LegiScan, CourtListener, state AG offices, and AI-assisted analysis. Verify all information with qualified counsel before relying on it. Full terms & data sources →