<em>Photo above:&nbsp;American Legion Beaufort Post 9 is striving to promote both patriotism and businesses in the Beaufort area by calling attention to those that proudly display the U.S. flag at their location. Post 9 presents those enterprises with a framed certificate thanking them. Here, Post 9 commander Chuck Lurey thanks Mary Mack of Red Piano Too Art Gallery for displaying our nation's flag.</em>

[caption id="attachment_32902" align="aligncenter" width="800"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/walmart.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-32902"><img class="size-full wp-image-32902" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/walmart.jpg" alt="Walmart on Robert Smalls Parkway celebrated its recent renovations with a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 30. Walmart recently made the following renovations to their store: electronics of the future, updated produce and bakery, new gluten-free category in grocery, new registers on the front checkouts, new seasonal and celebrations center and new state-of-the-art tools in hardware. Photo provided." width="800" height="600"></a> Walmart on Robert Smalls Parkway celebrated its recent renovations with a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 30. Walmart recently made the following renovations to their store: electronics of the future, updated produce and bakery, new gluten-free category in grocery, new registers on the front checkouts, new seasonal and celebrations center and new state-of-the-art tools in hardware. Photo provided.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_32899" align="aligncenter" width="800"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/covert.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-32899"><img class="size-full wp-image-32899" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/covert.jpg" alt="Covert Aire celebrated their 10th anniversary with a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 7. The staff of Covert Aire launched a July Random Acts of Kindness campaign throughout the Lowcountry. They commemorated their 10th anniversary by showing appreciation to the community at large who has helped build the company into what it is today. Mike Covert as well as other staff members plan to perform 10 random acts of kindness in the month of July, one for each year of business." width="800" height="548"></a> Covert Aire celebrated their 10th anniversary with a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 7. The staff of Covert Aire launched a July Random Acts of Kindness campaign throughout the Lowcountry. They commemorated their 10th anniversary by showing appreciation to the community at large who has helped build the company into what it is today. Mike Covert as well as other staff members plan to perform 10 random acts of kindness in the month of July, one for each year of business.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_32900" align="aligncenter" width="800"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/outback.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-32900"><img class="size-full wp-image-32900" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/outback.jpg" alt="Outback Steakhouse celebrated its recent exterior renovations with a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 5. Photo provided." width="800" height="533"></a> Outback Steakhouse celebrated its recent exterior renovations with a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 5. Photo provided.[/caption]

<b>Businesses being&nbsp;</b><b>warned about scams</b>

The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) has partnered with the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) to warn businesses about fake email requests.

These requests often come from individuals posing as the company’s CEO or other executive and can result in the loss of vast amounts of money and sensitive personal identifying information. Through the joint effort, approximately 43,000 South Carolina businesses were provided tips on how to guard their company from falling victim to the CEO imposter scams.

“We are thankful to DEW for partnering with us to bring this valuable information to the businesses,” said SCDCA Administrator Carri Grube Lybarker. “By implementing the simple tips in the alert, businesses can better protect their assets, including personal information of customers.”

Anyone can view the scam alert in its entirety by visiting www.consumer.sc.gov. For more information on other types of business scams, visit SCDCA’s Spotlight. To report a scam, call 844-835-5322 or visit SCDCA’s website and click Report a Scam.

The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs aims to protect consumers from inequities in the marketplace through advocacy, complaint mediation, enforcement and education. To file a complaint or get information on consumer issues, visitwww.consumer.sc.gov or call toll-free, 800-922-1594.