Probe into dating website scams

By Beau Donelly
Updated September 15 2014 - 1:08pm, first published 12:59pm

Major dating websites will be probed by Australia's consumer watchdog for dodgy membership deals, hidden costs and inadequate protection against romance scams.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is sweeping100 dating websites as part of an international initiative aimed at protecting vulnerable consumers.

Confusing pricing, misleading advertising and contracts with unfair conditions are being targeted in the search. About a dozen staff are also investigating whether the dating websites provide sufficient warnings against scammers. 

Since the start of the year the ACCC has received almost 1700 complaints about dating and romance scams, with more than $16 million lost. Last year $25 million was reported lost to dating scams.

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