The ACCC has instituted proceedings against Origin Energy Retail and Origin Energy Electricity (together, Origin) and Origin’s marketing company, SalesForce, in relation to their door-to-door sales practices in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

The ACCC alleges that Origin’s door-to-door marketers made false or misleading representations that:

  • there was a government requirement for the customer to switch to Origin;
  • that the consumer had been overcharged by their current electricity provider; or
  • that Origin had approval from, or was affiliated with, the Electricity Trust of South Australia.

The ACCC further alleges that Origin’s sales representatives breached the unsolicited consumer agreement provisions of the Australian Consumer Law and engaged in unconscionable conduct.

The ACCC is seeking a range of remedies, including pecuniary penalties and the establishment and implementation of compliance programs by Origin and SalesForce.

This is the fifth case that the ACCC has instituted against an energy retailer for its sales practices since September 2012.