Complaint Review: Match.com - Richardson Texas

Recently, I had a very disturbing incident with the con artists at match.com. I had signed up for a 3 month trial with them and in signing up was never told that they were going to auto-renew me at the end of the term and I had never agreed to it. Last week, when going through my bank statement I noticed an unauthorized $50.97 debit from my checking account from match.com. I tried e-mailing customer service many, many times to try and resolve the situation and they kept sending back meaningless form letters stating that I could still "enjoy" the final 2.5 months of my subscription. Don't expect to get anything more than a computer generated response when e-mailing customer service. After this, I tried calling customer service. The first 3 times I tried calling them, the initial customer service representative, put me on hold. Mysteriously, I was immediately disconnected. The fourth time I called I took on a hostile tone with the representative, which worked because I was immediately connected to another representative. I explained to them that I had never agreed to auto-renewal and was never informed about it when signing up for the 3 month trial. She kept giving me scripted responses that stressed how it done out of convenience for the customer. I asked her what kind of company auto-renews their customers and doesn't notify them either before or after the transaction. Again, she mentions convenience. How hard would it be for them to send even a courtesy e-mail?. The fact that they use no notification tells me that they rely on this quiet auto-renewal as the main source of their profits.

Anyways, after about 5 minutes of this back and forth, she finally agrees to give me a "pro-rated" refund of $20. I tried explaining to her what pro-rated meant, but they don't know, they're just reading from script.

Now, here is the interesting part. As we were closing up the conversation and she was confirming the credit to my account she suddenly asked to put me on hold. I was put on hold for 13 minutes. I got tired of holding the phone up to my ear so I turned on speaker phone and laid the phone down on my desk. When she finally came back on, she said, "Hello Mr. C?". It took me a couple seconds to turn off the speaker phone. As I put the phone up to my ear and about to reply, I heard someone whispering on another line saying,"Hang up on him, hang up on him!". I suspect it was a supervisor who was listening in on the conversation, trying to coach the customer service representative on how to keep the maximum amount of money that they quietly siphoned from my checking account. Anyways, at this point, I just told them to send me a confirmation e-mail of the credit and hung up, disgusted with having to do business with these soulless low-lifes.

In closing, I would say that you shouldn't be at all impressed with match.com's slick marketing campaign or any new promotions that they have. That false facade is used to deceive the consumer into thinking that they are a cool, hip, modern, friendly company trying to help the customer meet new people, when in fact they are financial, predatorial demon. DO NOT give them credit card or checking account information.

DO NOT give them credit card or checking account information. They cannot be trusted with that information.

John

Carol Stream, Illinois
U.S.A.

EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back!

HERE IS WHAT RIP-OFF REPORT SUGGESTS YOU DO:

Go to your bank within 60 days of the charge, or as soon as you know about the charge, don't delay, and tell them that there has been fraudulent activity within your account. Explain that you wish to file a dispute, and demand that they assist you in accordance with Federal Regulation E.

According to the majority of victims interviewed by Rip-off Report, those who immediately called their banks to dispute the charges did not get very far. Many victims got the following responses from their banks: we could not do anything for you or you waited too long; it has been more than 60 days.

If the bank is says that you have waited too long, explain to them how you called their 800 number as soon as the charges were found, and were told by the bank that nothing could be done. Remind the bank that they failed to assist you properly at the 800 #, and instead, provided you with an inadequate explanation of your right to dispute. Tell the bank that it's their fault time has expired, and since they gave you the wrong info to begin with, they will just have to deal with it, take the loss and reverse the charges.

Tell them the truth; this was unauthorized and your account was NOT to be charged! Keep emphasizing how you never authorized anything! Direct them to the hundreds of victims reports that were filed on Rip-off Report.com. And if you're at the bank, walk them over to their computer and make them go to this site! If you are on the phone with them, tell them you will wait while they access this site! Either way, be persistent!

DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!

Let them know nicely, that you were advised to Report them (the Bank) and this situation to the Banking Commission in your state. Since each state has a different name for the agency/controller over banks, find that name before you call or get to the bank so you can throw it in their face. The more knowledgeable you appear to be, the further you will get.

And just continue to demand the Federal Regulation E form! The bank CAN, MUST and WILL reverse the charge! But, you must be persistent; ask to speak to the supervisor or the area manager for all the branches in the state.

Let the bank personnel know you are meeting with the media later in the day, that you would much rather they do the right thing (as most other banks have) by looking at the complaints and immediately reversing the charge(s) to your account; no matter how long ago it was. Be sure to call the Media if necessary so you are telling the truth.

If you have to, be loud (but nice) in front of other customers. If you are just calling by phone, the above tactics should still work. The bank can easily fax or mail to you the Federal Regulation E dispute form.

CHARGES TO YOUR CREDIT CARD

If the charge was to your credit card (not debit card, check card, or checking account), contact the credit card company as soon as possible to request a dispute form. Consumers usually have a little longer to dispute fraudulent credit card charges (up to 6 months), but it is better to act right away. In this type of situation, credit card disputes are usually successful since fraudulent companies often won't contest the disputed charge. In rare cases, credit card companies will review disputes, but refuse to reverse the charges. If this occurs, complain to a manager and let them know you will be filing a report here.

Remember Don't let them get away with it! Make sure they make the Rip-off Report .. The more Reports filed on a Company or individual, the more likely it is that the authorities, media and attorneys will want to take action.

And good luck Let us know how you do!

ED Magedson Founder, Rip-off Report.com & Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com

[email protected]

badbusinessbureau.com

www.ripoffreport.com

Don't let them get away with it.

Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!

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CLICK HERE to read about Credit Card Scams... find out how to get your money back. *Rip-off Report Investigation provides valuable information.