Overview

• The state-owned WA electricity retailer says more than 170,000 accounts were affected, with total overpayments of about $40 million dating back to 2009.
• Synergy says payments continued to be accepted on closed accounts, in many cases without an issued bill, through channels including BPAY, direct debit, EFTPOS and Australia Post.
• The company has begun contacting customers and expects reimbursements to take months, noting an average overpayment of about $230 and more than half under $100, with some amounts far higher.
• Synergy has reported the issue to the Economic Regulation Authority, engaged independent reviewers through the state government, and implemented new measures to detect payments to closed accounts.
• The disclosure follows a July finding that $2.29 million was taken from 2,845 Centrelink recipients on closed accounts, drawing fresh criticism from opposition figures about trust and governance.