What are the warning signs of a superannuation early-release scam?

Watch for: Promise to access super before retirement age; Fee taken as a percentage of your super; Asks for your myGov login; Operates outside the AFSL register.

How can I tell if this is a scam?

Stop and verify independently. Contact the organisation using details you look up yourself, never the ones in the message, and don't act on urgency. You can also paste the message into the ScamShield AI scam checker for a risk assessment — it gives guidance, not a guarantee.

What should I do if I clicked the link or replied?

Stop all contact, change the password on any account you logged into and turn on two-factor authentication, and watch your accounts for changes you didn't make. Only the ATO can approve early super release. Never share your myGov login with anyone. Check any adviser on the ASIC Financial Advisers Register.

What should I do if I already sent money?

Contact your bank immediately and ask about stopping or recalling the payment, keep all evidence, then report the scam. Be wary of anyone who later offers to recover your money for a fee.

Where should Australians report this scam?

Report scams to Scamwatch (National Anti-Scam Centre), report cybercrime to ReportCyber, forward scam texts to 7726, and contact IDCARE if identity details were exposed. Contact your bank first if money is involved.

All scams

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Superannuation early-release scam

'Advisers' offering to unlock your super early — for a big fee.

Migrant

How it works

An adviser on WeChat, Facebook or in a community group says they can release your super early for hardship, then take a 20–30% cut. It's usually illegal, and the ATO penalises you heavily.

Common scenarios to watch for

This scam shows up in several different shapes. Recognise the pattern, not just one message.

Reporting locationHotlines on the printed checklist will match this location.

WeChat super 'unlock'

Community-group 'adviser' offers to release your super early for a 25% cut. Both the access and the fee are illegal.

"Unlock super in 7 days, hardship guaranteed. Our fee 25%, rest tax-free."

Red flags to spot

Is someone offering to access your super early for a fee?
Are they claiming 'guaranteed' hardship grounds you haven't verified?
Is the fee percentage large (20% or more)?
Can you verify the adviser is licensed on ASIC's professional registers?

Fake SMSF set-up

An 'adviser' sets up a self-managed super fund in your name and rolls your balance over, then drains it into a crypto wallet.

"Roll your super into our SMSF, we trade it for you — 18% pa returns historic."

Red flags to spot

Is someone encouraging you to roll super into an SMSF you don't control?
Are they promising high returns (15%+) that seem unrealistic?
Do they want to move your balance into crypto or unknown investments?
Can you verify the adviser and fund through ASIC and ATO registers?

'Departing Australia' DASP scam

Targets temporary visa holders leaving Australia. Asks for myGov login to 'claim DASP super on your behalf' for a 30% fee.

"Leaving AU? We claim your super refund within 14 days. Just share your myGov login."

Red flags to spot

Are you being asked to share your myGov login with a third party?
Is the fee for claiming DASP unusually high (more than standard charges)?
Can you claim DASP yourself directly through the ATO website?
Are they using your visa expiry to create artificial urgency?

Red flags

🚩Promise to access super before retirement age
🚩Fee taken as a percentage of your super
🚩Asks for your myGov login
🚩Operates outside the AFSL register

What to do

1Only the ATO can approve early super release.
2Never share your myGov login with anyone.
3Check any adviser on the ASIC Financial Advisers Register.

Who's targeted

Migrants and lower-income workers under financial pressure.
People in WeChat / community groups discussing money.

Why it works

Promise of 'unlocking your own money' feels harmless.
Adviser quotes legitimate hardship grounds to sound legal.

Common variations

Different shapes of the same scam — recognise the pattern.

1WeChat 'super adviser' taking 20–30% cut.
2Fake SMSF rollover to a scammer-controlled fund.
3'Hardship release' requiring you to share myGov login.

If you've already been scammed

1Contact your super fund immediately to flag any rollover.
2Change myGov password and review linked services.
3Report to ASIC, ATO and Scamwatch.

Frequently asked

When can I access super early?▾

Only on strict ATO hardship grounds — apply directly via myGov, not via an agent.

Will I be penalised?▾

Illegal early release means heavy ATO tax penalties on the full amount.

Is sharing my myGov ever safe?▾

No. Never share myGov login with anyone — not even your accountant.

Questions people ask about this scam

How does the superannuation early-release scam work?: An adviser on WeChat, Facebook or in a community group says they can release your super early for hardship, then take a 20–30% cut. It's usually illegal, and the ATO penalises you heavily.
What are the warning signs of a superannuation early-release scam?: Watch for: Promise to access super before retirement age; Fee taken as a percentage of your super; Asks for your myGov login; Operates outside the AFSL register.
How can I tell if this is a scam?: Stop and verify independently. Contact the organisation using details you look up yourself, never the ones in the message, and don't act on urgency. You can also paste the message into the ScamShield AI scam checker for a risk assessment — it gives guidance, not a guarantee.
What should I do if I clicked the link or replied?: Stop all contact, change the password on any account you logged into and turn on two-factor authentication, and watch your accounts for changes you didn't make. Only the ATO can approve early super release. Never share your myGov login with anyone. Check any adviser on the ASIC Financial Advisers Register.
What should I do if I already sent money?: Contact your bank immediately and ask about stopping or recalling the payment, keep all evidence, then report the scam. Be wary of anyone who later offers to recover your money for a fee.
Where should Australians report this scam?: Report scams to Scamwatch (National Anti-Scam Centre), report cybercrime to ReportCyber, forward scam texts to 7726, and contact IDCARE if identity details were exposed. Contact your bank first if money is involved.

General scam awareness information. ScamShield AI cannot guarantee that every scam will be detected or that a message is legitimate.

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