Complaint Review: Spark Networks - Los Angeles California

I may have I registered for this website ChristianMingle.comcompany in Sept. 2011.  I got an email that month about a profile being validated.  Anyway they sent two 'matches' I see as i check emails from ChristianMingle.  I have no memory of using the site and recall not using it, plus have no record of any login name or password, which I normally write in a log. 

I got periodic emails (I just checked) but did not use this site, never bought any services from them, never received anything of value, would not even have a way to login or enter a correct password, which I am now finding on other internet sites, including cost recovery sites like scambook.com where previous correct login info does not work. 

So a few days ago, on 01/30/14 a charge from CHRISTIANMINGLE shows up on my credit union statement for $30.98.  I first thought that someone had erroneously gotten a check I sent to my internet service provider for almost exactly that amount, but no, it's this mega-dating site company with offices in LA and Israel that runs a number of dating sites.  Numerous people are complaining about getting scam charges from this company Spark Networks who supposedly run a real website called ChristianMingle.com. 

Interestingly, the only couple listed as being married on this site were supposedly married in Sept. 2011, the very month I may have registered for it in 2011.  That was over 2 1/4 years ago.  I did not use this site, so what in Sam Hill are they billing me for over 2 years later? 

I am suspicious about any dating site these days after finding match.com, a heavily plugged website,  charged me $119 and some change but I could never even access services on their site or get customer service to reply, plus other overseas sites rife with misrepresentation, empty profiles, insincere people, lying, employing gals to respond to letters, etc. and very subtle sorts of skills used to extract money from guys with little or no reliability. 

Here in the good 'ol US, they're not subtle at all.  They somehow got my latest debit card info (suspicious, since I have lost at least 2 or 3 debit cards since 2011, which means I get new Debit Card numbers with different expirations and personal codes, etc.).  HOW could they have that information?  I am extremely upset that the internet is being flooded with these sort of scam charges, stuff that seems to be increasing in frequency (almost every month lately).

It is a big disruption to my life, causes extreme emotional upset for me (I was potentially going to overdraw my account at the end of the month slopover period before receiving income in early Feb. which would necessite a $30 overdraft fee).  That didn't happen but it appeared it would for no good reason. 

Why are companies like this that make unattached or historically disjointed charges or provide no services (like match.com) allowed to function and not shut down or litigated into some kind of federal regulated status where they are on a tight leash and any fraudulent activity such as attempts to bill people for services they don't even provide, haven't registered for,, and/or don't provide notice for some ongoing status or plan to bill, especially when they have no right to charge for things? 

Also, Why are these types of foreign associated scam companies allowed to function on the internet?  It's time to begin cleaning up the internet if people are going to be expected to use it with any reliability, consistency, confidence or safety.  I've spent over 1 1/2 hours on this already, 1 3/4 and counting.  At $20 an hour compensation rate, I should get $35 for my time + $30.98 for the erroneous billing, plus I should get something for this sort of emotional distress and unnecessary disruption to an extremely busy life. 

But I feel this is so outrageous that it warrants setting other things aside to help deal with this type of blatant fraud and what looks like criminal behavior.  It's upsetting when a pickpocket robs you or someone breaks into your car, but it's just as upsetting and rankling when someone rips you off over the internet, which is still in its infancy as a commercial medium. 

I don't think this bodes well for internet commerce.  I am not going to use it any more for anything new that I can't interact with and have that old timey feel about.  Enough said.  I should get a minimum of $30.98 - $65.98 back according to what the situation dictates...something like $100.98 would be fairer.  I am not trying to make money by  misrepresenting anything.  I am trying to deal with an evident mischarge and abuse of an internet supposed dating site and get on with my life.  I filed a strong complaint with the Spark Networks website Contact Us form tonight.  I expect a reply but shouldn't get anything back if other complaints on the net are true and this is a true scam company site. Give it back, you un-Christian hucksters!

Pilfered, Angry and Needing My Money Back!!!

P.S. As for the next question, I don't know if I ever used a credit card for any services with this company.  The charge that appeared on my bank (CU) statement was for my debit card related account. this debit card is also a credit card. i don't have bank statements for 2011, but could get them if it's helpful or necessary.