Scamwatch - Superannuation scams

 

Scammers are taking advantage of people in financial hardship due to COVID-19 by attempting to steal their superannuation.

Many of these scams start with a call claiming to be from a superannuation or financial service. These scammers use a variety of excuses to get information about your superannuation accounts, including:

• offering to help you access the money in your superannuation
• ensuring you’re not locked out of your account under new rules
• checking whether your superannuation account is eligible for various benefits or deals.

On 22 March, the Australian Government announced eligible individuals would be allowed early access to their superannuation. Scammers are taking advantage of the government’s early-release measures in a variety of phishing scams designed to steal your superannuation - read more here.

Tips to protect yourself from these types of scams:

• Never give any information about your superannuation to someone who has contacted you.
• Hang up and check their identity by calling the organisation directly. Find the number in a phone book, past bill or online search.