SYDNEY: Australia's largest electricity retailer said on Tuesday that the data of around 900,000 customers was compromised in a security breach disclosed earlier in July.
Origin Energy Chief Executive Officer Frank Calabria said in a statement that the company has completed the initial phase of a review into the security incident and believes the information of approximately 900,000 current and former customers was accessed.
He said that Origin is working with cybersecurity experts, forensic specialists, and authorities to ensure the incident is contained.
"To our customers, I am sorry. We don't take for granted the trust customers place in Origin and our safeguarding of their information," Calabria said.
Origin Energy announced it was investigating a potential security breach on July 22 and the following day confirmed there had been unauthorized access and disclosure of some customers' data, including names, dates of birth, addresses, contact numbers and partial banking and credit card details.
Calabria said on Tuesday that specialist identity and cyber support services have been made available, warning customers to be cautious of unexpected phone calls, emails or messages.
Origin Energy supplies electricity, gas and internet to around 4.8 million Australian customers.
The company's share price on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) was down 6.3 percent since the start of July to 10.38 Australian dollars (7.25 U.S. dollars) as of Tuesday morning. - Xinhua
