Superannuation scams are a serious and growing problem in Australia. Because super balances can be substantial, they are a target for a range of fraud types. This hub covers the key super scam categories and how to protect yourself.
Articles in This Section
Super Scams — Overview of the 5 Most Common Types
An overview of the five most common super scams in Australia: illegal early access schemes, fake super funds, phishing and account takeover, SMSF investment fraud, and unsolicited financial advice. Includes a protection checklist and what to do if targeted.
Illegal Early Release of Super
How illegal early release schemes work, why they are illegal under the SIS Act, and the severe tax consequences for participants — even if they were victims.
Early Access Super Scams
How to spot scams that promise early super access, what legitimate early access actually looks like, and how the tax trap works.
SMSF Fraud
How fraudsters target SMSF trustees through investment scams, identity theft, adviser misconduct, and related-party transaction abuse — and how to protect your SMSF.
How to Verify a Super Fund Is Legitimate
Before rolling over your super, verify the fund is real. Step-by-step guide to checking APRA register, ABN Lookup, and ATO Superannuation Fund Lookup.
How to Check If a Super Fund Is APRA-Regulated
A detailed guide to verifying APRA registration using the APRA register and ATO’s Superannuation Fund Lookup, including what APRA regulation means and what it doesn’t cover.
How to Report a Super Scam
Who to contact and what information to provide when reporting a super scam — ATO, ASIC, Scamwatch, and AFCA.
Key Principles for Protecting Your Super
- Never access super early through a third-party scheme — only your fund or the ATO can facilitate lawful early access
- Verify any fund before rolling over — use APRA register and superfundlookup.gov.au
- Be sceptical of guaranteed returns — no legitimate investment guarantees returns
- Check adviser credentials — verify AFSL on ASIC’s financial advisers register
- Never share myGov credentials — the ATO and super funds will never ask for this
For advice on your superannuation, speak with a licensed financial adviser via MoneySmart.