Protecting your super from scams

Scams Awareness Week (25–29 August 2025) focuses on three simple steps to stay safe

12 August 2025

Scams are evolving fast, and they're hitting closer to home than ever before. Criminals are becoming smarter, bolder and more convincing, targeting Australians from all walks of life with scams that are harder to spot and easier to fall for.

According to the National Anti-Scam Centre, Australians lost $2.03 billion to scams in 2024¹. While this was 25.9% less than the previous year, the emotional and financial toll remains severe, and retirement savings are a growing focus for scammers.

Your superannuation is one of your most valuable financial assets, which makes it an attractive target for scammers. From fake financial advisers to fraudulent self-managed super funds, scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to try to steal your savings.

Keeping your data safe is Brighter Super’s highest priority. We use multiple layers of security systems and processes to detect and prevent fraudulent activity.

As part of the national effort to combat these threats, the Government’s Scams Awareness Week (25-29 August 2025) will encourage Australians to take three simple steps to stay safe: Stop. Check. Protect.

By learning how scams work and taking action early, you can help protect your super and your future.

The threat of investment scams

In 2024, investment scams caused the biggest financial losses of any scam type in Australia – costing victims a staggering $945 million, according to the National Anti-Scam Centre¹.

Almost every adult in Australia has a bank account, superannuation fund and some form of digital financial footprint. With millions of Australians regularly accessing online financial services, these systems have become increasingly exposed to cybercrime.

Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to exploit personal data, commit fraud and steal identities.

Scams Awareness Week 2025: Stop. Check. Protect.

Led by the Government’s National Anti-Scam Centre, Scams Awareness Week will highlight how a few simple actions can make a big difference in avoiding scams.

Australians are encouraged to:

• Stop before sharing information or making a payment.
• Check if the request is legitimate.
• Protect yourself and others by reporting scams and securing your accounts.

Brighter Super supports this important initiative and encourages all members to stay alert, stay informed and take action if something doesn’t feel right.

For the latest information on how to protect yourself from scams, visit these Government agency websites:

• Scams Awareness Week 2025
• Scamwatch
• National Anti-Scam Centre

Super scams to watch out for

Scammers use a range of tactics to access your super. Here are the most common ones:

1. Self-managed super fund scams

These scams typically involve someone posing as a financial adviser or investment promoter, encouraging you to set up a self-managed super fund (SMSF). They promise high returns or special investment opportunities – often in areas like cryptocurrency or foreign currency bonds.

Once you agree, they may help you create the SMSF and then ask you to transfer your super balance to it. From there, the scammers can withdraw your funds, leaving your retirement savings gone.

Warning signs include:

• Being offered help to ‘take control of your super’ by establishing an SMSF.
• Promises of guaranteed or high investment returns.
• Being told not to consult anyone else – they will ‘handle everything’.
• Receiving a fake investment app showing false growth.

2. Early access scams

Scammers may offer you a way to withdraw your super early – even if you haven’t met the legal conditions of release. They might say you can access the funds for a fee or offer to help you lodge documents with false information.

While it may sound appealing, early access schemes are illegal unless you meet strict eligibility criteria. Victims not only lose their super, but may also face penalties from the Australian Taxation Office.

3. Phishing and impersonation scams

In these scams, you receive an email, SMS or phone call from someone claiming to be from a super fund, bank or government agency. They ask for personal or login details, or direct you to a fake website that looks legitimate.

These scams often use:

• Logos and branding from real organisations.
• Slightly altered website URLs or email addresses.
• Messages that create urgency such as fake tax notifications.

Once scammers have your details, they can access your super account, create new accounts in your name or commit identity theft.

4. Tax-time scams

Around tax time, scammers often impersonate the Australian Taxation Office through emails, SMS or fake social media profiles. These messages may ask you to:

• Log into a fake myGov account.
• Update your bank or super details.
• Click a link to claim a tax refund.

Scammers may also set up fake social media accounts to engage with people directly. If you message them, they’ll ask for sensitive information.

How Brighter Super is protecting your account

Brighter Super has a range of robust systems and processes in place to protect your savings, including advanced cybersecurity controls, fraud prevention measures, regular security audits and strict internal protocols.

The following measures are examples of how we help keep your account safe:

Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-Factor Authentication is mandatory for all members when logging into Member Online. Each time you log in, you must:

• Enter your password
• Confirm a one-time code sent to your registered mobile or email

This two-step process adds an extra layer of protection against unauthorised access.

Lockout protocols and login limits

To protect against brute force attacks, we limit the number of failed login attempts. If incorrect credentials are entered too many times, the account is locked and must be reactivated by contacting our support team.

Ongoing monitoring and cybersecurity

We continuously monitor for suspicious activity and regularly update our systems in line with best-practice cybersecurity standards. Brighter Super also works closely with cybersecurity experts to stay ahead of emerging threats.

How you can protect yourself

Here are some steps you can take to reduce your risk and stay secure.

1. Be alert to scams

• Never share your super account details, passwords or myGov login with anyone.
• Be cautious of unsolicited calls, emails or messages about your super.
• Don’t be rushed into making decisions – scammers often create a sense of urgency.

2. Check who you’re dealing with

• You can use the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) Professional Registers Search to check if a financial adviser is licensed.
• The ASIC website also helps you check to see if an adviser has been banned or disqualified.
• Verify email and website addresses carefully – look for slight misspellings.
• Avoid clicking links in unexpected emails or messages. Instead, type the website address into your browser.

3. Know the rules

• You can only access your super in limited circumstances. Anyone offering early access outside of these is acting illegally.
• Stay ahead of the scammers and find out more about the conditions of release for your superannuation:

• Our info sheet that explains accessing your super.
• Your account’s Product Disclosure Statement.

4. Check your account regularly

• Log into your account in Member Online or our mobile app often to review your balance and contact details.
• Look out for unusual activity such as unauthorised withdrawals or changes to your account.

5. Strengthen your login credentials

• Use unique passwords for each account – avoid reusing the same ones.
• Change your passwords regularly and use a password manager if needed.
• Make sure your contact details (email and mobile number) are up to date with Brighter Super.

Scammers often use compromised logins from unrelated data breaches to try accessing superannuation accounts. It’s critical that you use unique and secure passwords for all your online accounts.

In early 2025, a coordinated cyberattack targeted several Australian super funds. Brighter Super was not affected. Criminals used stolen login credentials from unrelated data breaches to access individuals’ accounts. It’s a timely reminder of how important it is to use strong, unique passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication to help keep your super secure.

Where to get help

If you have any concerns about your account, or identify any unusual activity, please contact us on 1800 444 396 as soon as possible.

You can also report any scams you receive to these Government agencies:

• Scamwatch: report a scam
• Australian Cyber Security Centre: report a cybercrime
• Australian Taxation Office (ATO): report a scam

Your security, our priority

At Brighter Super, we’re committed to keeping your retirement savings secure. While we have strong protections in place, staying safe also relies on you – being alert to potential scams, understanding how they work, and knowing the warning signs to watch for.

By staying informed and keeping an eye on your account, you can help stop scammers in their tracks. And if something doesn’t seem right, we’re always here to help.

Together, we can keep your super safe, and give you greater peace of mind for the future.