Sunday, July 6, 2008

Money & Business

USN Current Issue
Alpha Consumer by Kimberly Palmer

Report: Online Dating's Bad for the Wallet

February 04, 2008 11:52 AM ET | Kimberly Palmer | Permanent Link

Not only do you have to worry about your heart while making dates online, but now your wallet is at risk, too. The Better Business Bureau reports today that complaints about online dating services are on the rise.

The most common gripe? Poor matches. Consumers said they were set up with people who did not meet their criteria, including some who were already married or who smoked despite their request for a nonsmoker.

And the bad dates came at a hefty price, with many services costing upwards of $50 a month.

To protect your money (and heart), the BBB recommends that you be skeptical of advertising for online dating, do a Web search before signing up to see if others have complained about the company, and stand strong against high-pressure sales tactics and automatic contract renewals. (And remember, you can always dispute unfair charges with your credit card company.)

• You can learn about the benefits of living in a small house and creating an emergency fund, among other financial tips, at this week's Carnival of Personal Finance.

Tags: internet | personal finance

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Reader Comments

prostitution

Its prostitution, the service being the pimp, madam.

Its all about sex.FOR MONEY

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