These scams are especially common in the superannuation sector, where your personal and financial details are highly valued to scammers. Here's how to identify and safeguard yourself against these threats.

Common impersonation scams to watch out for

Here are common scenarios that might indicate you're dealing with impersonation fraud: 

• Account suspension: Receiving emails or SMS messages suggesting, ‘Your CareSuper account has been suspended, log in to reactivate,’ can lead you to a fraudulent site designed to capture your login details. Multi-factor authentication can provide an extra layer of protection if you inadvertently fall victim.
• ATO imposter calls: Beware of calls from individuals claiming to be from the ATO, pressuring you to confirm your TFN (tax file number), bank information or read out a code received via SMS or email. These are typical signs of fraud.
• Fake login pages: Be on the lookout for official pages (for example, myGov or CareSuper login pages) that closely resemble the official website, designed to capture your login details.
• Rebate and refund offers: Emails promising a ‘super refund’ or tax rebate, urging you to follow a link, typically lead to phishing sites aimed at harvesting sensitive information. 

Spotting the signs of impersonation scams

Fraudsters employ various techniques to convincingly impersonate trusted organisations. Here are key indicators and red flags suggesting an impersonation scam: 

• Brand and site impersonation: Scammers can use websites, emails or texts featuring CareSuper or ATO logos, asking you to enter your account credentials, ‘verify your identity’ or ‘confirm your account details.’ These sites and communications may look official, but often contain subtle signs of fraud such as poor grammar, unusual requests and/or suspicious links or slightly incorrect website links. 
• Unexpected contact: Be wary of unsolicited calls, emails, or messages claiming to be from CareSuper, financial advisors or government services, urgently requesting personal information like your TFN (tax file number), bank account numbers, or MFA codes. You can verify these by contacting us. 
• Personal information requests: We will never ask you for sensitive information such as passwords or account details including website login details or 2FA codes over the phone or via email. Be cautious of such requests. 
• Sense of urgency: Scammers create a sense of urgency to rush you. Always take time to verify independently who you are speaking to. Call us on 1800 005 166 if you are unsure. If you believe the person on the phone is falsely claiming to be a representative from CareSuper, hang up, and call us back via our official number.

Steps to protect yourself

Protection against impersonation scams requires vigilance and proactive measures: 

• Verify independently: Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited texts or emails. Review the sender’s email address to identify anything that looks irregular. As good practice, navigate to the official website directly using your browser or a trusted app. If you suspect you have been targeted by scammers using CareSuper information, branding, or personas, contact us and report this to our team for verification and confirmation of authenticity. 
• Guard personal information: Never share sensitive information like usernames, passwords, passcodes, one time/MFA (multi-factor authentication) codes or PINs, TFN (tax file number), or myGov login details via any channel (for example, email, SMS, or phone). 
• Confirm with the source: If you’re unsure about the legitimacy of a request, contact us or the relevant government agency directly using their official contact details from verified sources. 
• Enhance account security: Register for Member Online and enable your multifactor security 
• Keep updated: Make sure your device’s security software and operating system are up to date to guard against potential threats and vulnerabilities. 

What to do if you suspect a scam 

If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. If you think you may have been targeted by a scam, please call 1800 005 166 straight away or email [email protected] - we're here to help.

Authentic communications from legitimate sources never demand immediate action, request confidential details unexpectedly, or direct you to unofficial websites. Always verify the identity of the contact and consult with us directly before proceeding. 

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.
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.