Welfare recipients told to pay back false Centrelink debt

Centrelink recipients across the country are being told to pay back false debts sometimes amounting to thousands of dollars because of a faulty computer algorithm.

The issue came to light in national headlines earlier this month and those affected by it are sharing their stories across social media.

An estimated 20,000 welfare recipients are being targeted each week by the algorithm, which uses data supplied by organisations such as the Australian Tax Office to match the information recipients give to Centrelink.