By Joe Wilson – Member of Congress
Scams are running rampant, and I want to make sure you have the necessary information to remain vigilant. Scammers, including those perpetrated by criminal cartels and rogue nations, utilize a variety of methods to steal information from you. Some of the most common tricks today are criminals impersonating people from different government agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Social Security Administration, or Medicare. At times, they also impersonate businesses that you know.
Only give out your information when you are the one initiating contact with an organization you trust, or you are sure of the person’s identity who is contacting you. Please be aware that honest organizations will not contact you through calls, email, text or social media to ask for private information like your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card details. In addition, if you receive a call that threatens a consequence if you do not make a payment immediately, this is a scam. Legitimate businesses and organizations will give you time to respond.
Here are some resources from the U.S. government that you can use to help you from being a victim of fraud:
- Federal Trade Commission: How to Avoid a Scam
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Fraud and Scams
- IRS: Recognize Tax Scams and Fraud
- Social Security Administration: Protect Yourself from Scams
- Medicare: Protecting Yourself from Fraud
- FBI: Scams and Safety
If you believe that you are a victim of a scam, you can report it without leaving your home through some of the resources above, or by contacting:
- South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs: Scam Education
- Federal Trade Commission: Report to Help Fight Fraud
- FBI: The Cyber Threat
- Internet Claim Complaint Center: File a Complaint
- 2026 Legislative Agenda Tour
I am grateful to have begun the new year by touring the district and promoting legislative focus areas for 2026.
Joined by city and county officials along the way, our stops included West Columbia, Aiken, North Augusta, and Barnwell. I spoke about the current challenges before us, reviewed key accomplishments in 2025, and shared highlights of my goals moving forward.
The following is a sampling of the focus areas in my 2026 Agenda that I will continue to support:
- Create Jobs Through Economic Growth
- Promote Conservative Solutions of Limited Government
- Protect American Interests
- Peace Through Strength
Much remains to be done, but I am committed to the people of South Carolina’s Second District and will continue to work hard to keep us all safe, promote jobs, and help make our lives and communities stronger.
