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Ohio Charges Dating Service Jilted Customers

February 14, 2006

Matchmaker • Ohio Sues Matchmaker • Consumer Complaints --- • More about Dating Services

The state of Ohio has filed suit against dating service Matchmaker International, of Amherst, New York, and four branches in Ohio for violating the state’s Pre-Paid Entertainment Act and Consumer Sales Practices Act.

Attorney General Jim Petro said consumers complained to his office regarding dating service memberships they purchased and could not use, refunds they did not receive, and personal information that was not returned.

An investigation by Petro’s office indicated that Matchmaker took money from Ohio consumers in anticipation of the closing of company locations throughout the state. Twenty consumers complained about the dating service to the Attorney General’s Office.

Matchmaker closed four of its Ohio branches, in Rocky River, Pepper Pike, Cincinnati, and Toledo, between 2003 and 2005. Petro’s suit alleges Matchmaker violated the Pre-Paid Entertainment Contract Act and the Consumer Sales Practices Act by:

• Failing to provide refunds for unused portions of the dating service contracts or to arrange for substantially similar dating services within 25 miles of consumers’ residences.

• Failing to return personal information collected from consumers such as photographs, interview summary forms, and personality questionnaires within 30 days after the expiration of service.

• Continuing to sell memberships to consumers knowing that they would not be able to fulfill those services.

In legal papers in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, Petro is asking that Matchmaker refund consumers and return their personal items, pay civil penalties of $25,000 per violation, and be ordered to refrain from doing business in Ohio until the judgment for this suit is paid in full.

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