Matchmaker kisses goodbye to $20K
Posted by editor (editor) on Mar 18 2010
2010 >>

A Tweed Heads introduction agency can kiss goodbye to $20,000 after being fined for offering dodgy matchmaking services to a local love seeker.

Fair Trading Minister Peter Lawlor said the fine was handed down on Friday (05/03/10) in the Southport Magistrates Court to Hearts United International Consulting Services Pty Ltd.

The company, whose director did not appear in court, was found to have breached seven counts of the Introduction Agents Act after Magistrate Cucks heard of one love seeker's ordeal trying to find a potential partner.

"The agency was meant to have provided one introduction to a potential mate each week for six months," Mr Lawlor said.

"Instead, the hopeful single only got four introductions in total across six months which is nowhere near what they were promised.

"Naturally they felt ripped off."

Mr Lawlor added the complainant signed up over the phone and supplied credit card details for their membership, which cost $1650.

"The introduction agent made its first mistake by taking money off of the person's credit card without getting their proper authorisation in writing," he said.

'On top of that, they were not supposed to have taken out the full amount upfront. No more than 30 per cent or $495 (on contracts over $500) can be taken by an agency for a deposit - but they flouted that rule too."

Mr Lawlor said the agency also failed to provide a pre-contractual disclosure statement and an adequate written agreement about the terms and conditions of its service.

"The company refunded the money a year-and-a-half after the agreement first started. That was after five requests from the complainant and intervention by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT)," Mr Lawlor said.

"This behaviour is not acceptable."

Mr Lawlor said the OFT would pounce on introduction agents who did not play by the rules.

"Where it's thought breaches of the law have occurred we will investigate and take legal action where necessary."

In 2009, 61 complaints were made to the OFT by Queenslanders about their dealings with introduction agencies and dating agencies.

Last changed: Mar 18 2010 at 1:15 PM