澳大利亚证券和投资委员会（ASIC）对Harvey Norman和Latitude Financial两家公司共处罚5500万澳元，理由是两家公司在2020年1月至2021年8月期间发布了具有误导性的广告宣传[1]。广告宣传的是60个月免息付款方案，但隐瞒了消费者需要办理信用卡并支付额外费用的关键信息[1]。其中，Harvey Norman被罚3500万澳元，Latitude Financial被罚2000万澳元[1]。
根据ASIC的调查，在2021年3月16日至8月11日期间办理GO Mastercard并使用该60个月免息方案的消费者需要支付最少537澳元的额外费用[1]。ASIC主席Sarah Court表示："消费者有权知道这个优惠涉及的不仅仅是60期付款"[1]。法官Michael O'Bryan在判决中指出："Harvey Norman展现出不同程度的悔过态度，公开声明显示对消费者伤害的漠视"[1]。根据判决，两家公司还被责令在其网站首页发布更正广告90天[1]。
Australia's Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has imposed combined penalties totaling $55 million against Harvey Norman and Latitude Financial for conducting a deceptive advertising campaign promoting a 60-month interest-free payment scheme between January 2020 and August 2021 [1]. Harvey Norman will pay $35 million while Latitude Financial faces a $20 million penalty [1]. The enforcement action revealed that both companies obscured a critical detail from consumers: accessing the interest-free offer required obtaining a credit card and incurring additional fees [1].
Consumers who applied for the GO Mastercard between March 16 and August 11, 2021, and utilized the 60-month interest-free arrangement faced minimum additional costs of $537 [1]. ASIC Chair Sarah Court stated that "consumers have a right to know that this offer involves more than just paying in 60 instalments" [1]. Beyond the financial penalties, both companies must publish corrective advertisements on their website homepages for 90 days [1].
The first finding of violations was made in October 2024, with an appeal subsequently dismissed in September 2025 [1]. Judge Michael O'Bryan observed that "Harvey Norman demonstrated varying degrees of contrition, with public statements indicating indifference to consumer harm" [1].