Copied below is the ACCC Media release of 27 September 2013, outlining action against Origin Energy And Salesforce.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has filed proceedings in the Federal Court against Origin Energy Retail and Origin Energy Electricity (Origin Energy), and marketing company SalesForce, in relation to their door-to-door sales practices.

“These are the fifth proceedings the ACCC has taken involving the marketing activities carried out by energy retailers at the door of consumers’ homes,” ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said.

“The ACCC alleges that SalesForce sales representatives acting on behalf of Origin Energy made numerous false and/or misleading statements to consumers and breached the Unsolicited Consumer Agreement (UCA) provisions of the Australian Consumer Law.”

“The allegations also involve several instances of unconscionable conduct as well as instances of alleged undue harassment and/or coercion by sales representatives, which the ACCC considers to be particularly serious,” Mr Sims said.

The allegations involve visits by sales representatives to the homes of thirteen different consumers across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia between September 2011 and December 2012.

The alleged conduct includes sales representatives making false or misleading representations:

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

The UCA provisions were specifically designed to protect consumers from unscrupulous conduct in door-to-door transactions. The alleged breaches of the UCA provisions include that the sales representatives:

• failed to inform the customer of their right to cancel the contract within the 10-day cooling off period;
• called on the consumer outside permitted hours;
• failed to clearly advise the consumers that their purpose was to seek the consumer’s agreement to a supply of retail electricity and/or gas by Origin Energy; and/or
• failed to leave the consumer’s premises on request.

“The ACCC is also alleging that the sales representatives engaged in unconscionable conduct, which involved particularly vulnerable consumers who were unable to understand the agreement. It is alleged that the sales representatives in these instances employed undue pressure and/or unfair tactics in their dealings with these vulnerable consumers,” Mr Sims said.

Further, the ACCC is alleging that the sales representatives harassed and/or coerced some consumers. This includes allegations that sales representatives persistently negotiated with and pressured consumers, despite the consumer repeatedly indicating that they were not interested, as well as allegations that sales representatives coached consumers to consent to sign up with Origin during a verification call.

The ACCC is seeking pecuniary penalties, declarations, injunctions, an order for corrective notices, an order for Origin Energy and SalesForce to establish and implement compliance programs, and costs.

The ACCC’s guide for consumers Knock! Knock! Who’s There? provides information about consumer rights in relation to door-to-door marketing.