Match.com Class Action Says Fake Profiles Violate Federal Law

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A Match.com user has filed a class action lawsuit against the company alleging that paid subscriptions involve messages from fake profiles and are in violation of consumer protection laws.

Lead plaintiff Matthew Ditnes recently filed a class action against Match Group LLC, claiming that they do not sufficiently warn members that paid subscriptions involve messages from fake profiles portrayed as real members.

Match.com was launched in 1995 as an online dating site and reportedly helped launch the online dating industry. “Among its distinguishing features is the ability to both search profiles, receive algorithmic matches and the ability to attend live events, promoted by Match, with other members,” the Match.com class action lawsuit states. Match limits the functionality of free membership and therefore has a high percentage of paying users.

Match reportedly offers paid subscriptions to its services for a fee between $15.99 and $35.99 per month. The website allegedly solicits these subscriptions without informing potential subscribers that they will receive messages from “persons identified as members who are not.” According to the Match.com online dating class action, users only learn that the profiles are fake after they pay for a subscription.

Ditnes argues that Match sends messages from “users” which can only be accessed and replied to if users upgrade to a paid subscription. “In many instances, the communications consumers receive are not from actual users of Match’s online dating service. Many users routinely discover that the profiles of the persons who purportedly are interested in them are fake or fraudulent profiles and not associated with anybody whom they can date or even communicate,” the Match.com paid subscription class action lawsuit claims.

The Match.com class action claims that this model wrongfully induces consumers to upgrade to a paid subscription by convincing them that real people are trying to communicate with them. In reality, the messages are allegedly from fake profiles and a ploy to get users to upgrade to paid services.

Many users other than Ditnes have allegedly experienced a similar “scam” and have left reviews on Consumer Affairs about their experiences. Scott of Florida wrote: “I’ve investigated this site and there are very few real profiles but mainly fake profiles and photos that the staff there e-mail to current and future prospects and customers just to provide them false hopes and to keep the money rolling in!”

The Match.com fake profiles class action lawsuit claims that this business model is deceptive and unfair and violates various consumer protection laws including the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and the Illinois Dating Referral Services Act. The Match.com class action also brings counts of breach of contract and unjust enrichment.

Ditnes seeks to represent a Class of people who paid for a Match.com subscription and received messages from people identified as Match.com members but who were not in fact persons who are members of the site. The Match.com class action seeks actual damages, treble damages, disgorgement, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.

The plaintiff is represented by William M. Sweetnam and Natasha Singh of Sweetnam LLC.

The Match.com Paid Membership Class Action Lawsuit is Ditnes v. Match Group LLC, Case No. 1:18-cv-03128, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

UPDATE: The Match.com Fake Profile Class Action Lawsuit was dismissed on August 31, 2018.  Top Class Actions will let our viewers know if a new lawsuit is filed.