Super
15 May, 2025

Protect yourself from tax and super scams

Scammers target thousands of taxpayers a month, with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) reporting that in April 2025 alone, there were 6,189 reports of ATO impersonation scams.*
The demographic who most reported providing personal information to scammers were people over 65 years old. Email and SMS were reported as the primary channel used by scammers when targeting the community This trend highlights the need for CareSuper members to be extra cautious. 
 
Scammers often pose as ATO representatives to trick people into sharing personal information or making payments. These fake communications come via phone calls, emails, fake websites or text messages, and may threaten legal action, demand immediate payment, or offer tax refunds. 
 
They may also try to access your super account. Be wary of any unexpected communications about your super and always verify their legitimacy. If someone offers to withdraw your super or move it to a self-managed super fund (SMSF), it could be a scam. 
 
To stay safe from tax and super scams, it's important to know the common signs of fraudulent activity: 
  • We will never ask you for your passwords or login information via email, phone, text, live chat or social media. For a list of what we will and won’t do, see how we’re keeping your information safe. 
  • The ATO will never ask you for your personal information via email or text message, nor will they threaten you with immediate legal action. If you get a suspicious message from someone claiming to be from the ATO, don't respond or provide any information. Instead, contact the ATO directly using their official contact details to verify the message. 

 

Here are some ways a scammer could try to access to your super: 
  • Phishing scams for your personal details: A scammer could contact you pretending to be from a financial firm, such as a bank or super fund. They may use a copied AFS licence, or ABN details from a legitimate organisation to give you the impression they’re genuine. They might ask for your personal or account details and send you an email with a link. If you click on the link, they could gain access to your computer, its contents including your login details for other accounts, and your email. With these details, a scammer may be able to create a super account in your name with another fund, or a fake SMSF, then transfer funds to this account and they may be able to withdraw it. They can also use stolen myGov sign-in details to gain access to your personal details and super accounts. 
  • Encouraging you to open an SMSF: A scammer might offer to help you ‘take control’ of your super by setting up an SMSF and transferring your super into it. They could promise to grow your super by investing in fake high-return investments, provide a fake investment performance app or computer program showing false returns, or offer to ‘do everything for you’, saying there’s no need to engage with anyone else because they’ll handle it all. They might also suggest investing your super in less common investments like cryptocurrencies or foreign currency bonds. Scammers using this approach may not be pushy and instead try to build trust with you over time. Eventually, they could convince you to transfer your super into an SMSF or bank account that they control. Once they have control, they may be able to withdraw your super.
  • Offering to get access to your super early: Someone might offer you a quick and easy way to access your super early, which may not satisfy a legitimate condition of release. They may offer to help you fill out genuine documents needed for this. This may include giving them your personal details to withdraw super from your account or they may suggest transferring your super into an SMSF, for a fee. They might tell you that once the paperwork is lodged, you can access the funds for personal use. This process is illegal, and you could end up paying additional tax and penalties.
  • Impersonation websites: Scammers may create sophisticated copies of trusted sites like MyGov. These fake sites may also incorporate the brand logos of super funds, including CareSuper. Links to sites of these type are circulated through phishing emails and attempt to solicit your login details by mimicking the look of the trusted sites they copy.  
 
To protect yourself from super scams, here's what you can do: 
  • Check your balance and contact details: Regularly log in to Member Online. Look for unusual transactions including changes in personal details. If something doesn’t look right, contact us. 
  • Update your account security: Use multi-factor authentication and make sure we have your up-to-date mobile number, email, and postal address. This helps us contact you if there's any suspicious activity on your account. 
  • Contact us directly: If someone contacts you claiming to be CareSuper and you are unsure if it’s really us, contact us to verify. Use a contact method you’ve sourced yourself, as the one you’ve been given may be fake. We can confirm if the contact was legitimate. 
  • Know the rules about your super: Scammers may try to convince you they can help access your super early. Knowing when you can legally access your super protects you from these scams. There are very limited circumstances where you can access your super early. 
  • Speak to someone you trust: If you’re not sure about something, talk to a trusted person before you go ahead. This could be a family member, your accountant, financial planner, or your super fund. 
  • Don't deal with anyone who isn’t licensed: Scammers don’t usually have a valid licence to set up or manage super funds. They may copy someone else’s or say they don’t need one. You can check if someone is licensed on ASIC's Professional Registers Search. Look carefully for subtle name and address differences. If you’re unsure, call the listed company to check. You can also use APRA's Disqualification Register to check if someone’s been disqualified. 

By staying vigilant and informed, you can protect yourself and your personal information from scams. Remember, if something seems off, it probably is. Trust your instincts and always verify before taking any action. 

If you notice unusual activity on your account or believe your identity may have been compromised, please contact us on 1800 005 166 to discuss options available to you. 

Learn about how we’re keeping your information safe. 

 
* https://www.ato.gov.au/online-services/scams-cyber-safety-and-identity-protection/scam-data 
This is general information only and doesn’t take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision about CareSuper, you should consider if this information is right for you.  
Consider the PDS and TMD at caresuper.com.au/pds. Issued by CareSuper Pty Ltd (Trustee) (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238718). CareSuper (Fund) (ABN 74 559 365 913). Any advice is provided by CareSuper Advice Pty Ltd (ABN 78 102 167 877, AFSL 284443). 
We're giving you this information in good faith. It comes from sources we think are reliable and helpful. However, we can't guarantee its accuracy and take no responsibility for this content, including any errors or omissions. 

 

 
Information correct as at 15 May 2025.