the scam conversation every family should have

You call your elderly mum on a Sunday and she mentions a lovely man she’s been chatting to online. Or your dad casually says he’s thinking of moving his super into a self-managed fund because someone he trusts found him ‘better returns’. It sounds harmless. Sometimes it isn’t.
 

Scams aimed at older Australians have become more convincing than ever, and our parents are often the ones sadly targeted. Here’s what a few of them look like in practice — and the signs worth watching out for.
 

the romance scam

It usually starts warmly: a new ‘friend’ on Facebook, a dating-app match, or a wrong-number text that turns into daily conversation. Over weeks or months, the relationship deepens — but there’s always a reason they can’t meet or video call. Then comes a crisis: a medical or vet bill, an unexpected issue with the car, a customs fee to release a ‘gift’. Romance scams take an emotional as well as financial toll.

Warning signs

Strong feelings declared very quickly, constant excuses to avoid meeting in person, and eventually a request for money, gift cards or cryptocurrency. A genuine partner won’t ask to fund an emergency they can’t verify.

the SMSF and investment scam

This one goes straight for the super. A caller or online ‘adviser’ promises higher returns, or early access to super, if your parent shifts it into a self-managed super fund outside the guidance of their regular adviser or a new ‘opportunity’. The paperwork can look polished and professional. The pressure to act fast is the real tell.

Warning signs

Unsolicited contact, promises of guaranteed or unusually high returns, urgency to transfer funds, and operators who can’t be found on the ASIC Connect register. Cold calls about super are illegal in Australia — that alone is a red flag.

the impersonation and phishing scam

A text or email arrives that appears to be from a bank, the ATO, or even a super fund, asking your loved one to ‘confirm’ their details or click a link. These messages often carry small spelling errors, an odd sender address, and a manufactured sense of urgency. These days they’re also harder to pick. Scammers increasingly use AI to clean up the spelling mistakes and clumsy grammar that once gave them away, so a polished, error-free message is no longer proof it’s genuine.¹

Warning signs

Requests for personal information, suspicious links or attachments, and any message pushing immediate action. If in doubt, don't click through. Pause and check independently. Contact the organisation directly using a number from a past statement, their official app, or a website you already know is genuine and not the one in the message.

the 3 'U's

Here's another way to remember the warning signs. 
 

Urgency

Any immedate request may be a red flag.
 

Unexpected 

Treat any request out of the blue with cautious scepticism.
 

Untrue 

Any guidance asking you to lie or not fully disclose the truth to family, friends or financial institutions.

start the conversation

The best protection is to normalise talking about scams and near misses. A simple chat can help loved ones to make more informed decisions. Ask your parents what they’re seeing online — and share what you are receiving too. Remind them that pausing to verify something is never rude and it’s best to double check with a trusted friend or family member. In the case of unexpected contact, treat it the same as a stranger at the front door. 

If an email or text message about super feels off, they can call HESTA on 1800 813 327 — using the number on the HESTA website, not the one supplied in the message itself.

¹ How scammers use technology and AI, July 2026.