The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) has stepped up its campaign against organised crime targeting superannuation funds.

The association had received information from police and ASFA members about an increasing level of identity fraud occurring in the superannuation industry, ASFA chief Pauline Vamos said.

It was apparent to police working in the field that hardcore criminals were now deliberately targeting superannuation funds, Vamos said. 

She said offshore crime groups were increasingly using identify fraud to embezzle funds, particularly from self-managed superannuation funds (SMSF).

"SMSFs do not have naming conventions that other funds are required to have and as such bank accounts can be set up that are linked to these SMSFs," she said.

Cheques had also been made out to fake SMSFs, she said.

ASFA is calling for SMSFs to come under the anti-money laundering legislation and greater powers for police to investigate such fraud.

Vamos said the association was also urging trustees to effectively warn members about being targeted by such groups.

"These groups are also targeting people's mail boxes and contacting call centres advising change of address," she said.

"We need to warn our members to be very careful and, if they can, even look at establishing a post office box."

The association has also issued another guidance alert to trustees, aimed at increasing awareness about the issues.

"The problem is very real and it is very now," Vamos said.