Bumble Class Action Challenges Dating App’s ‘No Refund’ Policy

According to a new class action lawsuit, the Bumble dating service refuses to refund subscriptions associated with their app despite not providing the option to cancel.

Plaintiff Dylan Schlossberg recently filed a class action lawsuit against Bumble Trading Inc. and Bumble Holding Ltd. alleging that the company’s refund policy is a violation of the New York Dating Services Law.

Bumble offers a subscription based dating service to consumers in which users are matched by an algorithm.

Users indicate interest by swiping in different directions, similar to the popular dating app Tinder. However, Bumble differs in its messaging system.

For heterosexual matches, only the woman is allowed to send a chat message to their match. Matches will expire within 24 hours if a message is not sent. The same is true for same-sex matches, but either party can send the first message.

Bumble offers a “Bumble Boost” to their consumers which is an option, paid subscription. Bumble claims that the services allow users to “double your matches” and “take control of your dating experience.”

This paid subscription reportedly allows users to see who has shown interest in them, extend matches by an additional 24 hours, and rematch with expired connections.

Although the subscription increases user options, Bumble allegedly handles their subscription policies unlawfully. The company reportedly fails to inform consumers that they have the right to cancel their subscription contract.

According to the Bumble dating app class action lawsuit, law requires companies to inform their consumers of their right to cancel a contract or subscription within three days and their right to obtain a full refund.

Schlossberg reportedly experienced this issue when purchased a one-month subscription to Bumble Boost for $24.99 in June 2017. After purchasing the boost, he realized that the service was not what he expected and he did not want to continue his subscription. After three days of use, he canceled his subscription and requested a refund which Bumble allegedly failed to issue.

Bumble allegedly has a uniform policy of denying refunds to their customers, despite not informing them of their right to cancel to their subscription. Their FAQ section further enforces this policy with the following section:

“I’m not happy with my Bumble Boost subscription. How can I get a refund? As stated in our Terms and Conditions, any purchases made in the Bumble app are non-refundable.”

Schlossberg claims that this practices deprives consumers under of their rights under the New York Dating Services Law.

This law states that “every contract for social referral service shall provide that such contract may be cancelled without a cancellation fee within three business days after the date of receipt by the buyer of a copy of the written contract.”

Schlossberg seeks to represent a Class of consumers who purchased a Bumble Boost within the last three years and were not informed of their right to cancel.

The Bumble class action lawsuit seeks actual damages, statutory damages, treble damages, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.

Plaintiffs are represented by Grace E. Parasmo and Yitzchak H. Lieberman of Parasmo Lieberman Law and David C. Parisi and Suzanne Havens Beckman of Parisi & Havens LLP.

The Bumble Dating App Class Action Lawsuit is Schlossberg v. Bumble Trading Inc., et al., Case No. 1:18-cv-08376, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.