(Online Dating Industry Journal) Online dating service, True.com, is coming under fire from several fronts for apparent controversial tactics that are annoying online daters. The New York Times recently did an article about True.com's controversial place within the industry. The article has also been republished in other newspapers, like the Wilmington Morning Star (click here to read article). From the article:
"...Rivals dismiss the company’s piety as a play for publicity. They also assert that the company makes it especially difficult for users to cancel its $49.95-a-month service, and that it has a history of generating automated messages that appear to be flirtatious 'winks' from other users...."
Across the Internet, complaints about True.com are growing daily. Online Dating Magazine receives more complaints about True.com than any other online dating service. A new complaint was posting today alleging yet more controversial practices by True.com. Nine out of the last 10 Online Dating Magazine Letters to the Editor have been complaints about True.com practices.
Joe's Comments
Something has to be done about True.com. Their controversial practices are not acceptable. It is a display of the poorest customer service I have ever seen from any company. And what upsets me most isn't my experience with True.com (which was back when they were a decent company - i.e. early 2004), but the number of complaints we now receive on a regular basis. I really feel for these online daters and we will continue to put warnings out until True.com changes its tune. It's company practices like those from True.com that give online dating a bad rep. Here are some quotes from a few recent complaints (posted on sites other than Online Dating Magazine) that I've read:
"...'Cancel this account' was what I told them, in no uncertain terms....well two months later I noticed that there was a "pending" charge of $49.99 ready to be taken from my account for this site. I immediately called and informed them that this account was cancelled and "do not withdraw this amount from my account." I was totally ignored and the amount was still taken out of my account..."
"... Cancel after trial? If you click on there spam they will reinstate your canceled trial account and hope you don't see the 49.99 charge on your credit card..."
"... I called to cancel my subscription in mid December. Everything went, or so I thought until I got my bank statement in January to find that I had been charged $49.99 along with $0.99 by True..."
"...True.Com gives you 7 days free. if you cancel within the 7 days and after you cancel they bombard you with flirt alerts, which aren't real. if you click on one of these pictures of "so called" ladies that they claim are flirting with you, they automatically bill you for another $49.99..."
And that's just a very small sampling of complaints being posted online by people who feel they are being ripped off by True.com. I think it's only a matter of time before these practices catch up with the company and we see a class action lawsuit or major downturn in business from negative publicity.
Site is the scam, i forgot to cancel. I didn't catch $50 on my visa for a few month when i did, i already payed $200, never used a service once. When i called to cancel, I was 2 days into next month's billing cycle, so thats another $50 for a 2 days of "Service" all together that was a $250 mistake, and service sucked
Posted by: Al | March 29, 2007 at 09:10 AM
True.com takes the cake for most scurrilous. The entire sign-in process is geared to obtain two things. First priority: your card info. Second, your picture.
Why do they need your card info for a seven day free trial? To begin automatic billing of course. If you abort the sign-in at the card info screen (which I did), your "account" is still created and your email is bombarded by offers, prompts, bogus "winks" and false "interested" parties. If you want to cancel/delete what you've already (foolishly) given them in personal information, good luck. The "How do I cancel" link leads to the "Cancel" section of the FAQ which in turn links to the top of the same FAQ ... which is to say there is no (obvious) way to cancel the account.
Why do they want your picture? Presumably to 'round out' your account even in the (likely) event that you don't use it. More bogus accounts and "membership" bloat.
It's curious that a company which supposedly goes to the trouble of doing criminal background checks and marital status verification would stoop to such despicable tactics. One wonders about the veracity of ALL their pompous claims.
True.com's bad reputation is well-deserved.
Posted by: MM | April 13, 2007 at 03:24 PM
Fortunately, I've never signed up with True.com, because I've always heard about their billing practices, but if you're a single guy and you see one of their online ads with scantily clad women, you almost can't help but click on it. I'm sure there are plenty of people that regret ever signing up with True.com.
Posted by: Sea of Love | April 29, 2007 at 12:29 AM
Tru.com, crooks period!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Ronald Corman | November 06, 2007 at 02:29 PM
After checking credit card statement this morning I found a $49.99 charge for True.com. Last month I phoned and complained about them automatically putting charges through and was given the old song and dance that I need to contact them. Then was offered a new rate of $19.99 - wow a $30 difference. Now after today's call complaining that I had been given a new rate of $19.99 why was I charged the old high rate given another song and dance that I must have hit a button for free 3 day trial and that would have generated me back to the old high rate. Not likely, they are just hoping that you will not notice that you are back to the old higher rate. Because I was so mad during this call I was told they were crediting me back $30.00 and putting me back to $19.99 and then when I said just cancel they now offered a new monthly rate of $9.99. What a scam if they can charge $9.99 then the other $30 or $40 they are taking was just a big line to reel you in. Something needs to be done about this company immediately. I will advise my credit card company to refuse to pay their charges but what about all the money I am already out and guess what I have not had one successful match. After complaining and then all of a sudden bombarded with matches that do not even know they are being viewed. Get winks and then response from match is did not wink at you or they do not respond. And then they say winking back and I never even winked at them. Please get these companies under control or gone.
Posted by: Debra Harris | November 20, 2007 at 12:43 PM
I pr-paid True.com (Thailand) for one year the internet has big connections problems I have been up to 4 days without service was told it's my computer Wrong after months was told I must purchase a wireless G USB Adapter to make there service work, I should have bee tols this when I signed up for service not months later
Posted by: R Chopp | February 06, 2010 at 06:29 AM