Michael Atkin

The telecommunications regulator cut a deal with Optus behind closed doors that reduced the potential financial penalty it was facing for committing serious public safety breaches, documents released to the ABC have revealed.

The corporate watchdog is suing banking giant HSBC over a scam that netted $23 million, alleging it failed to protect 950 Australian customers.

Insurance customers who want to fight massive premium increases have few options for recourse, with the financial services watchdog refusing to take on some cases.

First Nations artist Jacinta Numina-Waugh speaks out after she was allegedly subject to unconscionable sales conduct by Optus that has landed the telco in court. 

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is suing Optus alleging it engaged in unconscionable conduct when selling phone products to vulnerable customers. 

Insurance giant Suncorp has been ordered to ditch a whopping 60 per cent hike of a home insurance premium following a complaint from a disgruntled customer. Consumer advocates say more people need to do the same.

Consumer groups are calling on the government to abandon parts of new draft scam laws, saying they are unworkable and put the onus of proof on victims seeking compensation. 

Consumers and industry stakeholders are calling for better regulation of phone companies after family members of deceased customers are repeatedly contacted – in some cases for years after a person's death.

Scammers are destroying people's lives — a crackdown on who will cough up when things go wrong has stakeholders divided, writes Michael Atkin. 

Despite consulting with bank staff before transferring his life savings, Ilya Fomin lost $280,000 to scammers. His bank hasn't accepted any responsibility — new scam laws may change that.