Origin Energy Investigates Data Breach After Hacker Claims Access to 2 Million Customers’ Information
Published
Key Takeaways
- Investigation underway: Origin Energy is examining a potential security incident involving unauthorized access to some customer data.
- Payment data: The company does not expect impacted data to include customer credit card or bank details.
- Alleged hacker claim: An alleged hacker is said to have claimed the breach, providing a publication with customer data samples.
Australian power producer Origin Energy said on Wednesday it is investigating a potential security incident that may involve unauthorized access to some customers' data. The country's top electricity and gas retailer described the matter as a priority, stating its investigations are proceeding "as a matter of urgency."
Origin serves a substantial customer base, making the scope of any exposure a significant concern for affected individuals.
Origin Energy Investigates Potential Data Access
Origin said it “is currently investigating a potential security incident which may involve unauthorized access to some customers’ data,” in its statement to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) on Wednesday afternoon.
A few weeks ago, an alleged hacker reportedly sent The Australian a sample of 50 customer records, claiming they had contacted Origin’s board members, security teams and customer care departments. The dataset is said to contain:
- names,
- addresses,
- emails,
- dates of birth,
- phone numbers
- bill history.
Credit Card and Bank Details Not Expected to Be Involved
The company said it does not expect the affected data to include customer credit card or bank details. The company did not provide further detail on the nature of the impacted data.
The investigation remains ongoing, with Origin working alongside forensic investigators to determine its full extent.
Regulators and Law Enforcement Notified
Origin Energy said it has notified the Australian Cyber Security Center and the Australian Federal Police of the potential incident. The company is also engaging with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
Origin is just one of several major Australian companies to be hit by a data breach in the last few years. This month, a Telstra nationwide outage disrupted calls, trains, and payments, while similar incidents occurred at Optus and Qantas Airways in 2025.
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