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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Luca Ittimani

Origin Energy to face court over 77,000 alleged law breaches after taking millions from welfare recipients

Origin Centrepay Origin Energy Aer Clare Savage Guardian Australia AGL Alinta Energy Services Australia
Composite image showing the Centrepay logo, a generic energy bill and power lines
The regulator has alleged energy giant Origin did not inform its former customers of overcharging via the Centrepay scheme, or refund them within the required timeframe. Composite: Victoria Hart/Guardian Design

Origin Energy will face court for allegedly overcharging thousands of former customers on Centrelink by a combined $2.5m and breaching laws more than 77,000 times.

The company allegedly took payments through Centrepay over six years from over 3,400 customers who had closed their accounts and owed no money, including one customer who paid $11,000.

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