Common super-related scams

Scammers target super because the amounts involved are often large

They pretend to be from super funds, banks, the ATO, or the government. They sound professional. They create urgency.

The more you know about how these scams work, the harder they are to fall for.

Covered on this page:

• Phishing emails, texts, and calls

• Self-managed super fund (SMSF) scams
• Account takeover
• Investment scams
• Fake government scams
• Remote access scams
• Fake early access to super

1. Phishing emails, texts, and calls

How it works

You receive a message – by email, text, or phone – that looks like it's from Mercer Super, the ATO, myGov, or your bank. It asks you to click a link, log in to a fake website, or confirm your personal details. The message often looks very convincing, with logos and formatting that match what you'd normally receive.
 

Warning signs

• Urgent language – 'Your account will be suspended' or 'You need to act now'
• A request to 'confirm', 'verify', or 'unlock' your account
• An attachment you weren't expecting
• A sender email address that looks almost right but isn't – for example @mercer-super.com instead of @mercersuper.com.au, @e.mercersuper.com.au or @super-retirement.com.au
   

What to do

Don't click any links or open attachments. Call 1800 682 525 if you're not sure.

2. Self-managed super fund (SMSF) scams

How it works

Someone – often posing as a financial adviser or super specialist – contacts you and encourages you to move your super into a self-managed super fund (SMSF) that they control or set up in your name. Once the money is transferred, they take it. By the time you find out, the money and the scammer are usually gone. These scams often involve large sums and can wipe out a lifetime of savings.
 

Warning signs

• Unsolicited contact offering to help you 'take control' of your super
• Promises of much higher returns or the ability to access your super early
• Pressure to sign documents quickly or act before an 'opportunity closes'
• Claims that the normal rules don't apply, or that they have a 'special arrangement'
• Requests to move your super to a fund you haven't heard of or can’t find on official registers such as the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) or the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
   

What to do

We’ll never push you to set up an SMSF. There are strict rules about how and when you can access your super. If anyone encourages you to move your super urgently, stop all contact and call us on 1800 682 525. You can also check any financial adviser's licence at moneysmart.gov.au. To learn more about SMSFs visit our webpage – ‘Thinking about an SMSF’.

3. Account takeover

How it works

Scammers use stolen usernames and passwords – often bought online after a data breach – to try to log in to your account. Once they're in, they may change your contact details, set up new bank accounts, or transfer your super. You may not notice until you get an unexpected text alert or check your account.

Warning signs

• A login code sent to your phone that you didn't ask for – someone may be trying to get in
• Changes to your email address, phone number, or bank details that you didn't make
• Transactions or rollovers you don't recognise
• Being locked out of your account without explanation

What to do

If you receive a login code you didn't ask for, call us immediately on 1800 682 525.

4. Investment scams

How it works

Scammers offer fake investment opportunities – often through social media, cold calls, or messages from people you know whose accounts have been hacked. They promise returns that sound too good to be true. Some specifically target your super, encouraging you to withdraw early or move it to their 'platform'.
 

Warning signs

• Guaranteed or very high returns with 'no risk'
• Pressure to invest quickly before the chance disappears
• No Australian Financial Services (AFS) licence number provided
• Requests to access your super early or move it to a specific fund
• Contact through social media, dating apps, or messaging platforms
   

What to do

Before investing in anything, check it at moneysmart.gov.au. Verify any financial adviser's licence at asic.gov.au. You can only access your super early in very limited situations – anyone suggesting otherwise is likely running a scam.

5. Fake government scams

How it works

Scammers pretend to be from the ATO, myGov, or Services Australia - by phone, email, or text. They may claim you have a tax debt, that a refund is owed, or that your super or tax file number has been compromised. They often threaten consequences – like being arrested or losing your super – to pressure you into acting quickly.
 

Warning signs

• Threats of arrest, court action, or account suspension if you don't act immediately
• Requests for payment using gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer
• Requests to 'verify' your tax file number or super details
• A phone number that looks official but could have been faked
• A phone number with a country code outside of Australia
• Bad spelling, grammatical errors and poor punctuation in emails or texts
   

What to do

Call the ATO directly on 1800 008 540 to check. Report these scams to ScamWatch at scamwatch.gov.au.
 

6. Remote access scams

How it works

A caller - claiming to be from Mercer Super, your bank, or a tech company like Microsoft or Telstra - tells you your account or device has been hacked. They ask you to download an app that lets them see and control your computer. From there they can see your accounts, steal your passwords, and move money.

Warning signs

• An unexpected call saying your computer or account has been compromised
• A request to download an app so they can 'fix the problem'
• Instructions to keep the call secret
• Requests to log in to your super or bank accounts while they watch

What to do

Hang up straight away. If you've already given access, disconnect from the internet immediately and call us on 1800 682 525.

7. Fake early access to super

How it works

Scammers claim they can help you get your super early – outside legitimate rules – by exploiting loopholes or filing a hardship claim on your behalf. They often charge large upfront fees or take a cut of your super, then disappear. In some cases, accessing your super this way can also lead to tax penalties from the ATO.
 

Warning signs

• Unsolicited offers to 'unlock' or 'release' your super early
• Claims that you qualify for early access without any prior assessment
• Requests for upfront fees to process your application
• Pressure to sign forms quickly without time to read them
   

What to do

You can only access your super early in specific situations, such as severe financial hardship or terminal illness. No third-party company can speed this up or find loopholes. If anyone offers to do this for a fee, it's a scam. Call us on 1800 682 525 to understand your real options or find out more here.