Between January 1 and June 30, 2026, exactly 41 businesses reported security breaches to the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA). This staggering wave of cyberattacks compromised the personal data of 1,131,320 South Carolina residents in just six months. Now, a newly detailed 700Credit data breach has added another 108,829 locals to the growing list of exposed consumer records.
State officials are warning residents to remain highly vigilant as threat actors aggressively target financial, hospitality, and education sectors to extract sensitive identifying information.
Details of the 700Credit Data Breach
Automotive services provider 700Credit, LLC detected suspicious and unauthorized activity on its 700Dealer web application. This exposure allowed an unauthorized third party to access internal files. While the nationwide impact touches approximately 5.8 million individuals, South Carolina took a heavy hit locally.
According to the official breach notice, the compromised data includes full names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers. The company concluded its internal investigation stating they found no proof of actual misuse, but issued warning letters to affected individuals as a precaution.
Following federal litigation regarding this incident, a $17.5 million class action settlement has been established. Residents who received a postcard or email notice in July or August 2026 are eligible to file a claim for benefits through the official settlement website. 700Credit is also offering two years of complimentary credit monitoring as part of the settlement.
Over 1.1 Million Affected by Security Breaches
The SCDCA notes a severe escalation in state-wide cyber incidents. According to the SCDCA’s mid-year report, the financial sector took the hardest hit with 12 incidents impacting 801,652 people. The hospitality industry ranked second, exposing 154,455 residents across four incidents, while the education sector suffered three breaches affecting 91,842 South Carolinians.
Other massive incidents contributing to this 1.1 million figure include the Prosper Marketplace breach. Discovered on September 1, 2025, this breach compromised over 13 million people nationwide, including 236,000 South Carolina residents. Prosper sent notices in December 2025, giving victims until March 31, 2026, to enroll in credit monitoring.
Similarly, Kaplan North America suffered an intrusion between October 30 and November 18, 2025. This incident resulted in the theft of Social Security and driver’s license numbers for 26,612 local residents.
Actionable Steps: How to Freeze Credit Report
If your Social Security number was involved in the 700Credit data breach, setting up a credit freeze stops criminals from opening new fraudulent accounts in your name. You must request a freeze at all three major bureaus individually.
- Equifax: Visit the Equifax online freeze center to create an account and toggle your credit lock status.
- Experian: Use the Experian Fraud Center portal to initiate a permanent block on your file.
- TransUnion: Add a security freeze via their service portal using your provided PIN.
Criminals frequently sell this type of stolen data on underground forums. In 2024 alone, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received 859,532 complaints and reported $16.6 billion in losses — a 33% increase from the previous year. For a deeper dive into defending yourself against these automated threats, review our complete Identity Theft Protection Guide 2026.
Always double-check your bank statements and report any unauthorized transactions to your financial institution immediately. For immediate assistance with fraud or to report misuse of your information, you can contact the SCDCA’s Identity Theft Unit directly at 800-922-1594 or visit consumer.sc.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Was my information part of the South Carolina data breach?
If you applied for financing at an auto, RV, marine, or powersports dealership, had a Prosper Marketplace loan, or took a Kaplan course, you may have received a written notice. Check your mail and email from July-December 2025 and 2026 for official breach notification letters before assuming you’re affected.
How do I know if I qualify for the 700Credit settlement?
You qualify only if you received an official notice from 700Credit with a unique claim ID and PIN. The claim filing deadline is September 22, 2026, and the opt-out deadline is September 8, 2026.
Is freezing my credit free?
Yes. By federal law, credit freezes and unfreezes at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion are free for all U.S. consumers, regardless of whether you were part of a breach.
What should I do if I haven’t received a breach notice but suspect I’m affected?
Contact the SCDCA’s Identity Theft Unit directly at 800-922-1594, or check the official SCDCA security breach notices page at consumer.sc.gov for the full list of reported incidents.
