Manage Pof

How to cancel your plenty of fish subscription and protect your wallet in australia

Understanding plenty of fish and why cancellation matters

Plenty of Fish (POF) is a dating platform that operates a free base service alongside tiered paid memberships designed to boost your visibility and unlock premium features like read receipts, ad removal and extended profile viewing. The service sells subscriptions directly through its website and app, as well as through external platforms like Google Play and the Apple App Store, which means your billing source directly affects how you cancel and claim refunds.

POF uses recurring billing cycles, and many Australian users report unexpected renewals, difficulty locating where their payment was charged, and slow refund responses when they try to exit. At Stopee, we recognise that cancelling a dating subscription often feels uncomfortable, and the companies behind these services don't always make the process transparent. That's why understanding your exact billing source, your cancellation window and your Australian Consumer Law rights before you act is essential.

Why consumers cancel POF

Users cite several reasons for cancellation: they've found a partner, they're dissatisfied with fake or inactive profiles on the platform, they feel the paid tiers don't deliver value, or they want to pause and return later. Others cancel because they were charged for a renewal they didn't authorise or didn't notice an automatic billing cycle starting. Stopee's research shows that unclear communication about subscription renewal is one of the most common friction points, so document everything from the moment you decide to leave.

What makes POF cancellations tricky in australia

POF's multiple purchase channels create confusion. A subscription billed through Apple's App Store operates under Apple's refund rules, not POF's. A direct billing through POF's website follows POF's own cancellation process. External app platforms often impose their own deadlines (Apple offers 14 days for app subscriptions, Google Play offers similar windows), so your first task is identifying exactly where the charge appeared on your statement.

How plenty of fish subscriptions are priced and structured

POF's current subscription tiers are Pof Plus, Pof Premium and Pof Prestige, each offering different visibility and feature sets across multiple billing cycles.

These prices are representative snapshots from public listing data and can vary by promotional offer and purchase channel. Promotional pricing at sign-up often reverts to standard rates at renewal, so check your original confirmation email to see what rate you'll be charged next. Tokens and digital items are commonly marked non-refundable in POF's terms, though Australian Consumer Law can override this in certain circumstances.

Identifying your billing source before you cancel

Your first action must be to locate the exact billing source, because it determines your cancellation method and refund rights.

How to find where you're being billed

1. Check your email inbox for the most recent transaction receipt or confirmation email from POF, Apple, Google, or your credit card provider.
   • Look for the sender address: if it says Apple ID , you're billed through Apple. If it says Google Play, you're billed through Google. If it says POF or Match Group (POF's parent company), you're billed directly.
2. Log into your bank or credit card account online and search your transaction history for "POF", "Plenty of Fish" or "Match Group".
   • The merchant name in your statement is the key: "Apple" or "Google" means you're billed via platform; the actual merchant name is your billing source.
3. Open the POF app or website and navigate to Settings > Subscription or Account > Membership.
   • POF's own subscription settings will display "Manage Subscription" or "Billing Information" linked to either direct or platform billing.
4. If you see no active subscription in POF's settings but your bank shows charges, the subscription is likely managed through an external app platform, not POF directly.

Pro tip: Screenshot every screen you see during this process. Banking records and app store confirmations are your proof if you need to dispute a charge or lodge a complaint with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

Cancellation methods for each billing source

Your next steps depend entirely on where you pay.

Cancelling a direct POF subscription (web or app)

If your confirmation email or bank statement shows POF or Match Group as the merchant, you're billed directly through POF's system.

1. Open the POF website (pof.com) on a computer or open the mobile app.
2. Log in to your account.
3. On the website: click your profile icon in the top right, then select Settings > Subscription or Billing.
   • On mobile: tap the menu icon, then Settings > Subscription or Membership.
4. Look for a button labelled "Cancel Subscription", "Manage Subscription" or "Turn Off Auto-Renew".
5. Click or tap it and follow the prompts to confirm cancellation.
   • POF may display a "win-back" offer (a discount to stay). You can decline this.
6. Once confirmed, you should receive a cancellation confirmation email within minutes. Save this email as proof.
7. Verify in your Settings that the subscription status now shows "Cancelled" or "Expires on [date]".

Warning: Direct cancellations do not always trigger an immediate refund. You'll retain access until your current billing cycle ends. If you paid for a multi-month plan and want a refund for unused time, you'll need to contact POF's support team (see Refund section below).

Cancelling through apple app store (iOS)

If your receipt shows Apple as the merchant, you must cancel through Apple's ecosystem, not through POF's app.

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app.
2. Tap your name at the top, then select Subscriptions.
3. Find "Plenty of Fish" in the list of active subscriptions.
4. Tap it and select "Cancel Subscription" or "Turn Off Auto-Renew".
5. Confirm the cancellation. Apple will show you an expiry date for your access.
6. Apple will send you a cancellation confirmation email. Keep this for your records.

Pro tip: Apple allows refunds within 14 days of a subscription renewal if you request them immediately. If you were charged yesterday or today and want a refund, open Apple's support website (support.apple.com), select "Subscriptions and Purchases", and request a refund for the POF charge. Be honest about your reason (e.g., "didn't authorise the renewal" or "dissatisfied with service"). Apple approves most refunds within 48 hours if made promptly.

Cancelling through google play (Android)

If your receipt shows Google Play as the merchant, cancel through Google's system.

1. On your Android device, open the Google Play Store app.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
3. Select "Payments and subscriptions" > "Subscriptions".
4. Find "Plenty of Fish" in your active subscriptions.
5. Tap it and select "Cancel Subscription".
6. Confirm cancellation. Google will display your access expiry date.
7. Google sends a confirmation email. Save this.

Pro tip: Google Play offers refunds within 48 hours of a subscription charge if you initiate a refund request through the Play Store app under "Manage Subscriptions" > "Refunds". If more than 48 hours have passed, you can still file a complaint with Google Support, but approval is less certain.

Cancelling through credit card chargeback (last resort)

If you cannot reach POF or the app platform, or if you believe you were charged fraudulently, you can request a chargeback through your bank or credit card provider. This is a last resort after direct and platform cancellations have failed.

1. Contact your bank or credit card issuer by phone or online banking portal.
2. Request a chargeback or dispute for the POF transaction(s) you want reversed.
3. Provide the merchant name, date, amount and reason for dispute (e.g., "unwanted auto-renewal", "failed to process my cancellation request", "fraudulent charge").
4. Your bank will file the dispute with POF's payment processor. This usually takes 10-30 days to resolve.
5. If approved, the funds are returned to your account. POF will likely suspend your account after a chargeback, so use this only when other methods fail.

Warning: Chargebacks damage your relationship with POF and can result in permanent account closure. Use this only if direct cancellation and platform cancellation have both failed and you've given POF at least 10 working days to respond to your refund request.

Refund rights and timelines for australian users

Australia's Consumer Law gives you clear protections, and Stopee strongly recommends you understand them before disputing a charge.

Your rights under australian consumer law

The Australian Consumer Law, enforced by the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission), entitles you to a refund if a service fails to meet Consumer Guarantees. These guarantees state that services must be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose and supplied within a reasonable time. If POF's service is significantly below standard (e.g., the platform is non-functional, account access is restricted unfairly, or billing continued after your stated cancellation), you can claim a refund under these guarantees.

Additionally, if you cancelled your subscription but POF continued to charge you, or if you were not given clear information about auto-renewal before signing up, the ACCC considers this misleading or deceptive conduct, and you have grounds to demand a refund.

How to request a refund from POF

1. Visit the POF help or support page (usually accessible from a "Help" or "Contact Us" link on the website or app).
2. Select "Billing" or "Subscriptions" from the category menu.
3. Click "Contact Us" or "Submit a Request".
4. Write a clear email stating:
   • Your account email address
   • The amount, date and billing source of the charge(s) you're disputing
   • Your reason (e.g., "auto-renewal without clear notice", "service not fit for purpose", "charge continued after cancellation")
   • Reference your cancellation attempt and the date you cancelled (include screenshots if you have them)
   • Request: "I request a full refund for [amount] under Australian Consumer Law, as this service has failed to meet Consumer Guarantees under the Competition and Consumer Act."
5. Keep a copy of your request and send it via email or through POF's support portal so you have a record with a timestamp.
6. POF aims to respond within 10 working days. If you receive no response or a rejection, escalate to the ACCC.

Pro tip: Frame your refund request around Consumer Law language, not just "I changed my mind." POF is more likely to approve a refund if they understand you know your rights. Being polite but firm is the winning approach.

Escalating to the ACCC if POF refuses

If POF denies your refund or doesn't respond within 10 working days, you can lodge a complaint with the ACCC.

1. Visit the ACCC website (accc.gov.au) and click "Report a Consumer Issue".
2. Select "Online shopping and subscriptions" as your issue category.
3. Provide your account details, the amount and date of disputed charge(s), POF's response (or lack thereof), and your reason.
4. The ACCC will investigate and may contact POF on your behalf.
5. The ACCC does not award money directly, but it can issue warnings and formal action if POF is found to be breaching Consumer Law. This strengthens your position if you later pursue a small claims court action.

Warning: ACCC complaints take time. If you need a faster resolution, you can also file a claim in your local small claims court (usually for amounts under A$5,000 and within 12 months of the charge). At Stopee, we've found that simply mentioning ACCC involvement in your refund request to POF often accelerates their response.

Mistakes to avoid when cancelling

Cancellation frustrations are usually preventable, and we want to help you sidestep the traps that catch thousands of Australian users every year.

The most common cancellation errors

Mistake 1: Cancelling in the POF app but not through your app store. If you're billed by Apple or Google, deleting the POF app or cancelling within POF's settings does nothing. You must cancel through Apple's Subscriptions or Google Play's Subscriptions menu. Many users discover this too late when charged again at renewal.

Mistake 2: Not verifying your subscription status after cancellation. After you click "Cancel", log back in immediately and check your subscription settings. Confirm it shows "Cancelled" or displays an expiry date. If it still shows "Active", your cancellation didn't register.

Mistake 3: Waiting weeks before requesting a refund. Apple and Google have strict 14-48 hour refund windows. POF's own refund window is often unspecified but shorter than you'd hope. Once you're charged, request your refund the same day if possible. Every day you wait weakens your position.

Mistake 4: Losing your transaction confirmation or receipt. Without proof of the charge, date and amount, both POF and your bank will struggle to verify your claim. Screenshot everything immediately after purchase and save your confirmation emails in a folder.

Mistake 5: Accepting a promotional offer to stay instead of cancelling. If POF displays a "discounted renewal" offer during cancellation, do not take it unless you're certain you want to continue. These offers often lock you into another billing cycle and make future cancellations harder to dispute.

Mistake 6: Using a chargeback without exhausting other options first. Your bank may approve a chargeback, but POF will then cancel your account permanently. If you plan to return to POF later, pursue refunds through direct contact and ACCC escalation first.

After cancellation: what to expect

Cancelling feels like a relief, but the process doesn't end with confirmation. Here's what happens next and how to protect yourself.

Your access and billing after cancellation

After you cancel, you keep full access to your POF account until the end of your current billing cycle. For example, if you paid for a 4-month plan on 1 March and cancelled on 15 April, you'll retain premium features until 1 July. Only then does your account revert to the free tier.

New charges should not appear on your next billing cycle. Check your bank statement 5-7 days after your cancellation date to confirm no renewal charge has been processed. If a charge appears, contact POF or your app platform immediately with your cancellation confirmation email.

Protecting your account after cancelling

Once you've cancelled, consider these steps to protect yourself:

• Update your POF password to a unique, strong password (in case of unauthorised access).
• Remove any saved payment methods from your POF account (if the platform allows it).
• Log out of all active POF sessions by going to Settings > Active Sessions and clearing them.
• If you're cancelling due to account restrictions or bans, export any photos or chat records you want to keep before deleting your account entirely (deletion is often permanent).

Pro tip: If you want to return to POF later, do not delete your account during cancellation. Simply let the free tier continue. This preserves your chat history and profile if you want to reactivate a paid tier in future. Deletion is irreversible.

Common reasons to cancel and keep POF: a decision table

Deciding whether to cancel is personal, but this table might clarify your thinking.

Your cancellation checklist

Use this step-by-step checklist to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

1. Find your most recent POF transaction receipt or confirmation email.
2. Identify your billing source (POF, Apple, Google or other platform).
3. Navigate to the correct cancellation location:
   • POF direct: pof.com > Settings > Subscription
   • Apple: Settings > Subscriptions > Plenty of Fish
   • Google Play: Play Store > Subscriptions > Plenty of Fish
4. Click "Cancel Subscription" and confirm the cancellation prompt.
5. Screenshot the confirmation screen and save the confirmation email.
6. Log back in within 1 hour and verify your subscription status shows "Cancelled".
7. Set a phone reminder for 2 days before your billing cycle would normally renew, to check your bank statement.
8. If a charge appears after cancellation, contact POF or your app platform within 24 hours with your cancellation confirmation.
9. If no response within 10 working days, file an ACCC complaint at accc.gov.au.
10. Keep all emails, screenshots and receipts for 12 months (the deadline for small claims court action).

Why cancellation confidence matters

Cancelling a dating subscription carries an emotional weight that many online services exploit. They make the process deliberately unclear, hide cancellation options and rely on users feeling too embarrassed or frustrated to pursue a refund. At Stopee, we've helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions, claim refunds under Consumer Law and take control of their billing again. Armed with the right information, a clear process and your Australian Consumer Law rights, you can cancel POF on your terms, not theirs.

Your next move is clear: identify your billing source, follow the steps for your platform, screenshot everything and monitor your bank statement. If POF doesn't honour your cancellation or refuses a refund you're entitled to, escalate to the ACCC. Stopee remains here to guide you through every step, so bookmark this page, share it with friends, and return whenever you need cancellation support.