Origin Energy has said that about 900,000 past and present customers have had their private information accessed following last week’s data breach.
The major energy provider’s chief executive, Frank Calabria, said that Origin has completed the first phase of its review into the security incident.
Origin Energy Chief Executive Frank Calabria has said that about 900,000 former and current customers have been impacted by the data breach. Louise Kennerley
“To our customers, I am sorry. We don’t take for granted the trust customers place in Origin and our safeguarding of their information,” he said.
“Supporting affected customers is our key priority. We are contacting those customers whose information has been accessed and are providing support to them.”
Calabria confirmed that a review into the investigation is continuing after stating they had been reviewing a “potential security threat” since early July.
“We’ve extended our customer support hours and established a dedicated contact number for this incident.
Calabria added that Origin is now working with cybersecurity and forensic experts to ensure it is an isolated incident and is taking steps to secure its system.
The statement comes as Origin confirmed last week that the compromised information may include customers’ names, addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers and account details.
Origin Energy confirmed someone gained unauthorised access to customer data, revealing personal information has been stolen in a cybersecurity incident. Chris Hopkins
Partial payment details such as the last four digits of credit cards, or the last three of a bank account may also be compromised.
Origin first announced it was investigating the hack last Wednesday, when it said it was looking into what it described as a “potential security incident”.
The following day, it confirmed that a hack had taken place and that personal information had been stolen.
The major energy provider has since told its customers to remain vigilant to suspicious activity and a growing risk of scams.
“We are acutely aware that others may exploit this incident, including by impersonating Origin or through other scam activity,” Chief Executive Frank Calabria said.
Origin is just one of several major Australian companies to be hit by a data breach in the last few years, following similar incidents at Optus, Qantas and Medibank.
According to Origin’s latest annual report, the retailer has about 4.7 million customers.
The company is one of the most valuable in Australia, with a market capitalisation of about $18 billion – more than any other energy retailer in the country.