Online dating? Usually it is not for free!

Complaints about dating websites

In the last few weeks a lot of European Consumer Centres received complaints about dating websites. These complaints are usually about invoices that are too high and subscriptions that are not easy to cancel. Debt collecting agencies will be employed when consumers do not pay the outstanding amounts.

In a lot of these cases dating websites seemed to be free of charge, until profiles were “liked” or until consumers contacted others via the website. Consumers also mention that it seemed like they only had to pay registration costs, but at the end it turned out that they had applied for a subscription.

Cancelling is expensive

A lot of dating websites have an automatic renewal clause. Consumers usually do not notice this until they check their bank account. At that moment, it is already difficult to end the agreement or receive a reimbursement.

Tips for online dating

Before you sign up on a dating website, you should always check the following:

• The Terms and Conditions from the trader;
• The time span of the subscription;
• If the subscription is automatically renewed;
• How you could delete your profile or cancel the subscription;
• Make screenshots of the details you enter on the website;
• Save the contract terms;
• Pay with your credit card and check your bank account regularly;
• Pay attention: some dating websites host a lot of fake profiles. Scammers are active on these websites as well!

More information

Do you have problems with a dating website from another EU-country? Contact us for free advise.