eHarmony.com

James of Elliot Lake OTHER (07/15/08)
The worst dating experience of my life. The worst consumer experience of my life. I pay for a years membership. 90 of the 95 matches aren't even within my geographical settings. I am contacted by a woman who nurtures a relationship in an attempt to solve a personal problem, that being the old boyfriend couch surfing in her living room, she psychologically unable to evict him. THIS IS BLATANT ABUSE. But not according to eHarmony.

They refuse to take my complaint over the phone. I have to WRITE A SNAIL MAIL LETTER. They refuse to negotiate. I wanted a complete refund. Their attitue: there was no abuse; you received several months service. ABSOLUTE NONSENSE. This is wilful ignorance on their part. There is no compassion, no sensitiviy, no harmony at eHarmony.

This was a personal trauma. I have never in my life been abused by a date except through eHarmony. Everytime I think of them I am enraged. Their insensitive attitude only added to the trauma. I could not believe it! I pay money and am abused and they call it service. Please.

Warren of San Francisco, CA July 14, 2008

Warren of San Francisco CA (07/14/08)
I'm writing on behalf of my sister, who is too embarrassed to talk about being scammed....and falling for it. The scammer's screen name is John who claims to be from Alamo, CA. He initiated communication with my sister on March 6, 2008. Soon they began corresponding via Instant Messaging (IM). On March 17th, John told my sister a sob story, asked her to send him 1,300, and promised to pay her back. But they hadn't even met or talked on the phone. Being the compassionate (but naive) person she is, my sister sent him the money (via Moneygram, to Nigeria) the very next day. This continued for the next three months.

John showered my sister with compliments and sweet-talk (including marriage), while asking her for more money at the same time. Each request was accompanied by one bogus story after another (e.g. kidnapping, robbery, passport expiration, airfare, etc., etc.). Long story short, my sister sent this guy a total of 36,300 (not including 733 in Moneygram fees). My sister archived all their correspondence. It made me sick to my stomach. I was shocked that my sister could be so gullible. I felt guilty at the same time because it was me (and our mother) who encouraged my sister to join eHarmony last year. We wanted her to find a loving relationship. She was lonely, which made her susceptible to scamsters using sweet talk to take advantage of her.

On 6/12/08, my sister sounded really stressed out. She didn't want to send the guy any more money. But he wouldn't let up the pressure. He needed 2,600. His excuse was that he was still stuck in Nigeria and couldn't get back to the U.S. without her continued financial help. In my sister's mind, if John didn't make it back to the U.S., she'd never be repaid. My sister is financially wiped out because of this scam. She is a clerk at a utility company and doesn't make that much money. She finally told us the situation two weeks ago, when she was entirely tapped out and had no more money to send, and no money to pay her bills. She felt embarrassed. She finally realized she'd never get her money back, and that John might not be the person he claimed he was. We were also worried about my sister's safety. If John was so relentless in pressuring my sister for money, he could come after her. He knows where she lives. John could be a part of a criminal gang. We have no way of knowing.

For the sake of her safety, my sister changed her address and phone number. We've learned the hard way that scamsters are everywhere, including at eHarmony, which we thought would screen out scamsters and other scumbags. We don't know what the next step should be. We don't know if we should pursue legal or police action. I just filed the complaint with eHarmony. Based on the complaints I've seen about eHarmony on this website, I doubt it would do much.

37,033

William of Lafayette, IN July 5, 2008

William of Lafayette IN (07/05/08)
After sending detailed emails to eHarmony about my attempts to cancel their service and not have my credit card automatically renewed for another month on June 5, 2008, I finally had to cancel that card on July 5, 2008. And now my credit card company has two charges to dispute. I've never disputed a charge in my life. I spoke at length with someone named Mark once I finally found a number for eHarmony on their web site. Mark assured me that their site works and thousands of people have gotten married after meeting through it.

I personally had as many as 1,500 matches delivered to me. Never knew my personality was compatible with so many. I told Mark if you threw enough people into a snake pit, someone was going to get bit. I knew it was a numbers' game, and thought I might get lucky and meet someone. It didn't happen through eHarmony. I'm not bitter about it; I just wish I hadn't wasted time and money on their service. Ninety-eight percent of these matches weren't even close to being matches for me.

I did go on a handful of dates, but after a couple of months decided I didn't like ranging over Indiana to meet strangers that I'd had short conversations with on the phone. When I talked to Mark and sent emails, the response was that eHarmony really wants me to find the love of my life. It seems like they really want my 29.95--every month. While he said he couldn't help get my money back from June, he did say they would give me two months free.

Two months free of a service I don't want? I declined and was shocked to see the new charge today. Mark told me I wouldn't be charged again. I was on hold with Mark when I Googled eHarmony problems. What a surprise to find the many others who've been likewise cheated. I don't think any of us should have to spend time in disputes with such scam companies. Nor should we have to cancel credit cards, dispute false charges, or feel bad about how their deceitful mismatching system is only a moneymaker for growing eHarmony empire.

Delia of Caldwell, NJ July 3, 2008

Delia of Caldwell NJ (07/03/08)
I bought a 3 month subscripton and paid in full. An EHarmony rep told me that I would get a notice on my home page that would ask me if I wanted to extend my membership when the 3 months was up. I never hit the button to extend my membership. I then get a bill in the mail for a 30 charge to extend my membership.

EHarmony refused to refund the money stating I should have checked my acct page from time to time to see if they where going to charge me for extended months.They hide this information and it is unfair and a slimy way to make money. Just as they display the huge pink button to give an option to extend your membership they can and should use the same clear visibility to let you know when your membership is up and they will be auto billing you if you dont respond by this date.

While its only 30 its my money that I work hard for and like most people I am month to month with every dollar.

Steven of Boynton Bch, FL June 28, 2008

Steven of Boynton Bch FL (06/28/08)
This is a follow-up referencing my complaints about Eharmony dated 06/21/08. So far, I currently have a full credit of my initial 251.00 back to my card. It's only been 7 days and I am told by my customer service rep. that this dispute remains open for 60 days. I've continued to try and make sense of Eharmony's billing tactics and I think I've figured out one of the scams! You have to read between the lines with Eharmony. IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE CANCELED YOUR ACCOUNT WITH eHarmony, AND DISMISS THE ISSUE AS DONE...BE PREPARED FOR YET ANOTHER CHARGE TO YOUR CREDIT CARD!

Billing seems to be set up in this manor...REGARDLESS of your cancellation/termination of services, eHarmony's automated billing will AUTO-RENEW your account 24hrs prior to your account closing date. There is some BOGUS disclosure by eHarmony about doing this as to maintain continuity of service. If you do not catch this, your credit card will be charged again. Complaining to eHarmony via Email/phone buys eHarmony several more months of charges. Not right!

April of Southfield, MI June 28, 2008

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