Be careful dating online
Published 6:00 pm Saturday, October 5, 2019
While the internet has plenty of positive aspects, it also has its negatives. To help keep internet users safe the Federal Trade Commission, among its many duties, warns consumers about scams and takes action when it suspects outright fraud.
A case in point is the online dating service Match.com, which the FTC has filed suit against alleging fake love interest ads to trick consumers into paying for a subscription.
According to the FTC, Match Group, Inc., owns such websites as Match.com, Tinder, OKCupid, PlentyOfFish and other dating sites.
The agency also alleges that Match has unfairly exposed consumers to the risk of fraud and engaged in other allegedly deceptive and unfair practices.
For instance, the FTC alleges Match offered false promises of “guarantees,” failed to provide services to consumers who unsuccessfully disputed charges, and made it difficult for users to cancel their subscriptions.
“We believed that Match.com conned people into paying for subscriptions via messages the company knew were from scammers,” said Andrew Smith, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Online dating services obviously should be using romance scammers as a way to fatten their bottom line.”
Specifically, when nonsubscribers with free accounts received likes, favorites and instant messages on Match.com, they also received emailed ads from Match encouraging them to subscribe to Match.com to view the identity of the sender and the content of the communication.
Consumers who considered purchasing a Match.com subscription generally were unaware that as many as 25 to 30 percent of Match.com members who register each day are using Match.com to attempt to perpetrate scams, including romance scams, phishing schemes, fraudulent advertising and extortion scams.
The Commission said it files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” the law has been or is being violated and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. The case will be decided in court.
The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
Much more and be found about this case and other alleged scams. You can also file complaints with the FTC if you’ve been a victim. The website for the Federal Trade Commission is www.ftc.gov.
