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Dept. Of Consumer Protection Warns Customers About Online Dating

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- Online dating sites and match-making services typically see a spike in memberships during this time of year right before Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day sees a spike in online dating site enrollment.

Valentine's Day sees a spike in online dating site enrollment.

Photo Credit: Mary K. Miraglia

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protections warns that this creates an opening for fraud and scams. Even when a company is legitimate, there are still risks. The potential romantic partner you’re connected with may also seek to scam you out of your hard earned dollars. 

This season the DOCP urges people to to consider the following tips:

  • Be wary of promises such as a 100 percent success rate, matches within a couple days, or already having someone in mind for you during your first conversation, and engage in high pressure sales tactics 
  • Take extra care in reading over your agreement. These promises are often too good to be true. 
  • Make sure to ask questions about their programs including how and if they conduct background checks, how they find their clients, the male to female ratio in their client pool, the company’s matchmaking process and how many clients actually live in your area.
  • If the company you’re thinking of signing on with claims to have psychologists or other professional experts on staff, check their credentials. 
  • Do background research before selecting a service. If you have friends or family who are also looking for a match, ask what companies they have used and what their success rate and experience has been. 
  • Ask about and review the company’s cancellation policy. Connecticut law allows you to cancel your contract within three business days after receipt of your dating service contract or after the social referral service has been made available for your use, whichever is later. 
Avoid potential matches when you see these signs: 
  • The relationship progresses more quickly than usual, with pronouncements of love or close friendship, but they have constant reasons they can’t meet in person. 
  • They claim to be a business person who needs your help with a deal or a new venture. 
  • You are quickly asked to communicate via text, IM, or email instead of through the dating site.

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