Match.com's automatic membership renewal (with its automatic withdrawal provision) is an obvious attempt to siphon off undeserved fees for unwanted services. I have read a number of complaints concerning Match.com's automatic withdrawal policy, but have never seen this killer solution.

You want to take advantage of Match.com's service, but you don't want Match.com unilaterally withdrawing funds from your credit card or bank account. Here's how you stop Match.com in its tracks:

First, as soon as you purchase your membership, you immediately cancel. Match. com's policy says you get no refund, but your membership remains active for the duration of your initial membership period. If you cancel immediately, you shouldn't have to worry about missing a cancellation date which might not occur for six months. In theory, you have outsmarted Match.com.

But here's the "killer" nobody has mentioned.

Second, go to your bank or credit card company. Revoke Match.com's right to make any future withdrawals from you account. Financial institutions sometimes call this a "revocation of authority". Once Match.com's authority to make a withdrawal from your account has been revoked, Match.com can't touch your account.

Third, notify Match.com that its automatic withdrawal authority has been revoked. You want to notify Match.com of this revocation because if Match.com does try to make an automatic withdrawal and your bank or credit card company charges you a fee for denying Match.com's withdrawal request, then Match.com, being on notice of revocation, becomes obligated to pay any fee charged by your bank for denying its request for an unauthorized automatic withdrawal.

Complicated and involved? A little bit. But given Match.com's determination to siphon money off unsuspecting consumers, you would be wise to take these steps to protect yourself and avoid Match.com's predatory business practices. Furthermore, if a large number of people begin revoking Match.com's automatic withdrawal authority, maybe Match.com will change its policies. Below is a letter you can use to put Match.com on notice concerning the revocation of their authority to access your bank account or charge your credit card:
______________________________________

Dear Match.com:

I have just canceled my Match.com subscription. I have canceled my subscription because I do not want Match.com to automatically renew my membership. In accordance with Match.com policies, I understand my membership will end when my current subscription expires.

Furthermore, my financial institution/credit card company has been advised that I have also revoked Match.com's authority to withdraw funds from my bank account or charge my credit card for any further membership fees. Match.com is therefore on NOTICE that its authority to access my bank account/credit card is terminated. Any effort on Match.com's part to withdraw funds from my bank account or charge my credit card subsequent to its receipt of this NOTICE shall be deemed to be a criminal act of theft.

Have a nice day.

Sincerely,
_______________________________
(Your name)