The State of Florida filed a lawsuit last week against a South Carolina dating service, alleging it made several false claims, the Florida Office of the Attorney General said.
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi's Division of Consumer Protection filed the suit against Singles Plus, which has offices in Florida, alleging the business conducted deceptive and unfair trade practices.
The lawsuit alleges that Singles Plus falsely claimed that psychologists and other licensed professionals were making the matches on the site.
Singles Plus allegedly charged customers as much as $10,000, but didn't end up providing referrals to members who had matching preferences and requirements, Bondi said. The complaint also alleges the company falsely advertised that its members were screened to eliminate people with a criminal record or those who were married.
Bondi said the business claimed its success rate was north of 90 percent, which she disputes in her complaint. Singles Plus also allegedly illegally recorded prospective members during initial interviews without telling customers they were being recorded.
Kenneth Pogue, president and founder of Singles Plus, and Heather Olson, manager for the Jacksonville office, were named in the complaint as defendants. Bondi said her office is asking the court to award a refund to customers, civil penalties, a permanent injunction against the business and attorneys' fees.