Michael Atkin

Michael Atkin, ABC's national consumer affairs reporter, sheds light on the soaring insurance premiums affecting Australians. He discusses the staggering 11% increase in costs over the past year and shares personal stories from frustrated homeowners grappling with dramatic rate hikes. Atkin explores the reasons behind these surges, such as climate impacts and inflation, and highlights the limited success consumers have found in challenging their insurers through the Australian Financial Complaints Authority. Solutions like a government-funded comparison website are suggested to empower policyholders.

Michael Atkin, an ABC consumer affairs reporter, shares insights into the alarming rise of sophisticated scams targeting Australians. He discusses the art of deception used by scammers, particularly through fake text messages impersonating banks. Victims’ harrowing experiences reveal the emotional and financial toll of these frauds. Atkin also critiques how major banks are lagging in improving scam detection technologies and highlights government efforts, including a National Anti-Scam Centre, to combat this growing threat.