Protecting yourself from scams and fraud

1. Be cautious of unsolicited communication: Be wary of emails, text messages, phone calls, or social media messages from unfamiliar individuals or organizations. Scammers often pose as reputable companies or government agencies to gain your trust.
   
   
2. Verify the source: If you receive a message claiming to be from a company or organisation, independently verify their contact information and reach out to them through official channels. Do not rely solely on the contact details provided in the suspicious message.
   
   
3. Watch for urgency and pressure tactics: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to make you act quickly without thinking. Be cautious if the message insists on immediate action or threatens negative consequences for not complying.
   
   
4. Exercise caution with personal information: Avoid sharing sensitive information such as social security numbers, bank account details, or passwords in response to unsolicited messages or phone calls. Legitimate organisations will never request such information via email or text.
   
   
5. Check for grammatical and spelling errors: Many scam messages originate from non-native English speakers, so they may contain noticeable grammatical or spelling mistakes. This can be a red flag for potential fraud.
   
   
6. Use secure payment methods: When making online purchases, use secure payment methods like credit cards or trusted payment platforms. Avoid using wire transfers or sending money to unfamiliar individuals or organisations.
   
   
7. Keep your devices and software updated: Regularly update your operating system, antivirus software, and other applications to protect against known vulnerabilities that scammers may exploit.
   
   
8. Educate yourself: Stay informed about common scams and fraud techniques. Many government agencies, consumer protection organisations, and financial institutions provide resources and alerts about the latest scams. Being knowledgeable can help you identify and avoid potential threats.
   
   
9. Trust your instincts: If something feels off or suspicious, trust your gut instinct. It's better to be cautious and verify before taking any action that could potentially put you at risk.

Always Stop, Check and Reject if in doubt. You can validate the authenticity of any investment product offered by Mercer by contacting us directly through:

• our official phone number - 1300 728 928
• the online request form on our Contact us page