Another Reason to Vet Sellers, Call the Hotline, Excerpt of Anti-Scam SC Laws.
Listing agents and BICs and team leaders, LLR SCREC is actively communicating about their anti-wholesaling enforcement efforts in residential transactions.
About a week ago, Governor McMaster signed an anti-scammer law that contains bolded language below criminalizing listing and or advertising residential real property without proper authority and legally titled sellers.
This criminalization accusation could arise with scammers, wholesalers, family disputes, criminal actions, questionable heirs, probate, heirs property, inheritance, installment sales contracts, power of attorney, attorney in fact, corporate ownership, sovereign citizen tactics, squatters, separations, romantic issues, complex divorces, mistakes in title work, etc.
SCR members have access to Forewarn.
Many MLS systems provide participant access to CRS.
SC lawyers can assist, your list of past closing attorneys would likely be open to discussing with you.
SCR hotline 803-772-5206.
Check with your supervisor, BIC, and brokerage attorney.
Courthouse Register of Deeds offices are usually open during business hours and may provide some online resources.
Interesting criminal penalties against scammers excerpt:
Section 16-11-790. (A) A person who unlawfully detains, occupies, or trespasses upon a residential dwelling and who intentionally damages the dwelling causing one thousand dollars or more in damages is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
(B) A person who lists or advertises residential real property for sale knowing that the purported seller has no legal title or authority to sell the property, or rents or leases the property to another person knowing that he has no lawful ownership in the property or leasehold interest in the property, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.
(C) A person who, with the intent to detain or remain upon real property, knowingly and willfully presents to another person a false document purporting to be a valid lease agreement, deed, or other instrument conveying real property rights is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
Posted by: Byron King on 7/8/26 (This information is only accurate as of 7/8/26. You must contact SCR for updates and changes to this information after 7/8/26, as laws and regulations may change over time. SCR 803-772-5206 or email info at screaltors.org or email byron at screaltors.org)
This information is not legal advice. This information is intended only to provide general information and may not be relied upon as specific legal guidance. Legal counsel should always be consulted before acting in reliance on this information.