Manage POF

How to cancel your POF subscription and stop unwanted charges

About POF and why you might want to cancel

POF, which stands for Plenty of Fish, is one of the world's largest online dating platforms, with millions of users across the United Kingdom seeking romantic connections. The service operates on a freemium model, offering both free and premium subscription tiers. You can create a profile, browse potential matches, and message other members-but the premium features come with a monthly cost that many UK users find unnecessary once they've decided the platform isn't right for them.

POF is owned by Match Group, a major dating industry operator, and maintains a UK registered address at PO Box 6887, Coventry, CV6 9EZ. The platform's popularity means thousands of UK subscribers renew their memberships automatically each month without realising they can cancel at any time. This guide exists to help you take back control of your subscription and stop paying for a service you no longer use.

At Stopee, we've helped thousands of consumers like you navigate the cancellation process and recover unwanted charges. Your situation is not unique, and cancelling POF is straightforward once you know exactly where to go and what to expect.

Understanding POF's free and paid tiers

POF's basic service is completely free and includes profile creation, photo uploads, match searching, and messaging. Free members can use all core features without payment, so if you only have a free account, you don't have a subscription to cancel-though you may wish to delete your account entirely.

Premium subscriptions unlock additional features like message read receipts, extended profile views, higher search visibility, and ad removal. POF charges monthly for these upgrades, with longer commitment periods offering discounted rates.

Why auto-renewal makes cancellation essential

POF subscriptions renew automatically unless you actively cancel before the renewal date. This means your payment method continues to be charged month after month, even if you stopped using the app weeks ago. Many UK subscribers discover unexpected charges on their bank statements long after they've abandoned their dating search, which is why understanding your cancellation rights and options is critical.

Your consumer rights and what they mean for you

UK law gives you powerful protections when cancelling online services, and POF must comply with them.

Consumer rights act 2015 protections

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you have the right to cancel digital subscriptions at any time. For services provided over a fixed period-like POF's monthly subscriptions-you can terminate your contract before the end of the current billing cycle. POF must process your cancellation within a reasonable timeframe, typically within 14 days of your request.

This means you can cancel whenever you choose, regardless of whether you committed to a longer contract. You're not locked in for the full period if you change your mind.

Refund rights under the consumer contracts regulations 2013

The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 give you a 14-day cooling-off period from the date you purchase a premium subscription. During this window, you can cancel and request a full refund without penalty or explanation. This applies whether you bought a 1-month, 3-month, or 6-month package.

After the 14-day window closes, you cannot claim a refund for the remainder of your current billing period unless POF has failed to deliver the service as advertised. However, your cancellation still prevents future charges from occurring.

Escalation with the information commissioner's office

If POF refuses to cancel your subscription or delays processing your request beyond 14 days, you can escalate to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) or file a complaint with Ofcom. Stopee recommends keeping copies of all cancellation requests and correspondence in case you need to escalate your complaint.

Subscription plans and pricing at POF

Understanding what you're paying for helps you decide whether cancellation is the right choice.

Prices vary based on promotional offers and regional adjustments, but these ranges reflect typical UK pricing. Longer commitment periods lower your monthly cost but require larger upfront payments and create longer contractual obligations. When considering cancellation, check which plan you're on-a 6-month subscription requires different timing than a monthly renewal.

How to cancel your POF subscription

You have multiple cancellation methods available, depending on where you manage your subscription.

Cancelling through the POF website (desktop)

The website method is the most reliable way to cancel because it creates a clear digital record of your request.

1. Visit the POF website and log in to your account with your email and password
   • Navigate to the 'Settings' or 'Account' menu in the top-right corner
   • Look for 'Subscription' or 'Billing' options
2. Find the 'Manage Subscription' or 'View Subscriptions' section
   • Select your active premium subscription
   • Click 'Cancel Subscription' or 'Unsubscribe'
3. POF will ask you why you're cancelling-provide feedback if you wish (optional)
   • This helps POF improve, but your reason doesn't affect your cancellation
4. Confirm your cancellation by clicking the final 'Cancel Subscription' button
   • You should receive an on-screen confirmation immediately
   • Check your email for a cancellation confirmation message within minutes
5. Your premium features will end at the close of your current billing period
   • No refund is issued for the remaining time in your current cycle (unless within 14 days of purchase)
   • Your account will downgrade to free membership at the renewal date

Cancelling through the POF mobile app

If you subscribed through the app, you may need to cancel through your device's app store rather than within POF itself, particularly if you used Apple's App Store or Google Play billing.

1. Open the POF app and log in with your credentials
2. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select 'Settings'
3. Look for 'Subscription', 'Premium', or 'Billing'
   • If you see a direct cancellation option within POF, click 'Cancel Subscription'
   • If not, proceed to step 4
4. Cancel through your device's app store settings:
   • iPhone (Apple App Store): Open the App Store, tap your profile picture, select 'Subscriptions', find POF, and tap 'Cancel Subscription'
   • Android (Google Play): Open Google Play, tap your profile, select 'Payments and subscriptions', tap 'Subscriptions', find POF, and tap 'Cancel subscription'
5. Confirm your cancellation request
6. You'll receive a confirmation email from Apple or Google, plus a separate confirmation from POF

Warning: If you subscribed through the app store, cancelling directly on POF's website may not work. Your payment method is controlled by Apple or Google, so you must cancel through their platforms to stop charges.

Cancelling by post (formal written request)

If you prefer a formal paper trail or if online cancellation hasn't worked, you can send a written cancellation request to POF's registered address.

1. Write a letter including:
   • Your full name
   • Your email address associated with the POF account
   • Your account username
   • A clear statement: "I request immediate cancellation of my POF premium subscription"
   • The date of your letter
   • Your signature
2. Send your letter by recorded delivery to:
   • POF Limited
     PO Box 6887
     Coventry
     CV6 9EZ
     United Kingdom
3. Keep the recorded delivery receipt and a copy of your letter for your records
4. POF must acknowledge receipt within 14 days and confirm cancellation in writing
   • If they don't respond within this timeframe, escalate to Stopee or your local consumer authority

Pro tip: Recorded delivery costs approximately £1.65 and guarantees proof of posting. This method is ideal if online cancellation fails or if you've already tried email without success.

What happens after you cancel your POF subscription

Knowing what to expect after you hit 'cancel' helps you avoid unnecessary worry about your account status.

Your account status and access

Once you cancel your premium subscription, your account downgrades to free membership at the end of your current billing cycle. You keep your profile, photos, and message history, but you lose access to premium features like message read receipts and ad-free browsing. Your account remains active and visible to other users unless you separately request account deletion.

If you want to delete your account entirely rather than simply downgrade, you can do so through Settings > Account > Delete Account. This removes your profile permanently from POF's platform within 30 days.

Refund eligibility and timelines

You're entitled to a full refund if you cancel within 14 days of your initial purchase, under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. If you're outside this window, no refund is available for your current billing period, even if you cancel immediately after your subscription renews.

If POF has charged you after you successfully cancelled, you have the right to request a refund for duplicate charges. Contact POF's customer support with proof of your cancellation and the unauthorised charges, and they must investigate within 14 days.

Monitoring your bank statements

After cancellation, check your next bank statement or credit card bill to confirm no further charges appear. POF should process the cancellation within 2-3 business days, and no charge should occur at your next renewal date. If a charge does appear after you've cancelled, contact POF immediately and request a refund for the erroneous transaction. Stopee recommends keeping all cancellation confirmations and bank statements for at least 6 months.

Common mistakes that delay or prevent cancellation

We understand how frustrating it is when cancellation doesn't go as smoothly as expected. These mistakes happen more often than you'd think, and knowing them helps you avoid the same trap.

Cancelling the wrong account or subscription

If you've used multiple email addresses to create POF accounts, you might log in to the wrong account and attempt to cancel a subscription you didn't actually buy. Verify which email address you used to purchase the premium subscription by checking your payment confirmation emails or bank statement. Log in to the correct account before attempting cancellation.

Confusing account deletion with subscription cancellation

Deleting your account and cancelling your subscription are different actions. Deleting your account removes your profile entirely but may not stop recurring charges if your subscription is still active. Always cancel your subscription first, then delete your account separately if you wish. Stopee has seen consumers delete their accounts only to discover charges continuing weeks later because they never cancelled the underlying subscription.

Forgetting to cancel through the app store if you subscribed via an app

If you subscribed through Apple's App Store or Google Play, cancelling within the POF website won't stop your charges. Your payment method is controlled by Apple or Google, not POF. You must cancel through your app store's subscription settings to actually stop the recurring charge. Many subscribers make this mistake and continue being billed because they only cancelled on the POF website itself.

Cancelling too close to your renewal date

POF processes cancellations within 2-3 business days. If you cancel on day 28 of a 30-day billing cycle, your cancellation may not process before the automatic renewal triggers. Cancel at least 5-7 days before your renewal date to ensure the cancellation is processed in time. You can check your renewal date in Settings > Subscription > Next Billing Date.

Not keeping proof of cancellation

Save your cancellation confirmation email and screenshot your cancellation confirmation page. If POF later claims you never cancelled and attempts to charge you, this proof allows you to dispute the charge with your bank and escalate to Stopee if needed. Banks and payment processors require evidence of your cancellation request before they'll refund unauthorised charges.

Refund options and dispute procedures

You have several paths to recover money if POF has charged you unfairly or if you're entitled to a refund.

Refund eligibility within 14 days of purchase

If you purchased a POF premium subscription within the past 14 days and now want to cancel, you're entitled to a full refund under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. Contact POF's support team with your account email and request a refund. They must process it within 14 days of your cancellation request. If they refuse, escalate to your bank or payment card provider and request a chargeback.

Disputing unauthorised charges

If POF has charged you after you cancelled or charged you multiple times for a single subscription, contact your bank or credit card provider immediately. Explain that you cancelled your subscription, and the charge was unauthorised. Your bank will investigate and can issue a refund within 5-10 working days if they find the charge invalid. Stopee recommends filing a bank dispute rather than relying on POF to issue a refund, as banks move faster and have stronger leverage with merchants.

Chargebacks and payment protection

Most UK banks offer chargeback protection for unauthorised or duplicate subscription charges. Log into your online banking, select the POF transaction, and choose "Dispute Transaction" or "Raise a Chargeback". Your bank will contact POF and attempt to recover the funds. This process typically takes 5-10 working days and succeeds in most cases where you can prove you cancelled the subscription.

Choosing whether to cancel, downgrade, or stay

Before you cancel, consider whether downgrading or pausing might better suit your situation.

If you're still interested in dating but don't want to pay, downgrading to the free tier lets you keep your profile active. You'll lose premium features, but you can still send and receive messages and browse matches. Only cancel entirely if you're confident you won't use POF again.

Cancellation checklist

Use this checklist to ensure you've completed every step of the cancellation process.

• I've logged into the correct POF account using the email address I used to purchase premium
• I've checked whether I subscribed via POF directly, Apple App Store, or Google Play
• I've cancelled through the correct platform (POF website, Apple App Store, or Google Play-or all three if unsure)
• I've received a cancellation confirmation email from POF (or Apple/Google) within 2 hours of cancelling
• I've saved a screenshot of my cancellation confirmation page
• I've noted my renewal date and verified it's after my cancellation date
• I've checked my next bank statement to confirm no charge appears on the renewal date
• If a charge did appear, I've disputed it with my bank or payment provider
• I've kept all cancellation confirmations and bank statements for at least 6 months

What to do if POF refuses to cancel

Most cancellations process smoothly, but occasionally POF may claim they cannot cancel or may delay unreasonably.

Escalation steps within POF

If POF's automated system doesn't cancel your subscription, contact their customer support team directly. Email support@pof.com or use the in-app help feature with the subject line "Urgent: Cancellation Request". Include your account email, username, and order number (visible on your receipt or billing confirmation). Request a specific response within 7 days confirming cancellation. If you don't receive a response, proceed to external escalation.

Escalating to external authorities

If POF ignores your cancellation request for more than 14 days, escalate to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) or your payment card provider. Stopee recommends filing a complaint with the ICO at ico.org.uk, which investigates breaches of UK consumer law. You can also contact Ofcom if you believe POF is engaging in unfair commercial practices. These escalations carry weight and typically result in immediate cancellation and refunds.

Disputing with your bank if POF won't comply

If POF continues charging you after you've requested cancellation multiple times and submitted external complaints, file a dispute with your bank. Provide your bank with copies of all cancellation requests, confirmations, and correspondence showing you attempted to cancel. Your bank can freeze the account or issue a chargeback to recover the unauthorised charges. Stopee has helped consumers recover hundreds of pounds through bank disputes when companies refused to honour cancellation requests.

Frequently encountered issues at POF

These problems occur regularly and have clear solutions.

Password reset required for cancellation

If you can't log in to your POF account, you cannot cancel through the website. Click "Forgot Password" on the login page and reset your password using the email address associated with your account. Once logged in, proceed with the standard cancellation steps. If your email account is compromised or inaccessible, contact POF support with proof of your identity (such as a photo of your ID) and request manual cancellation.

Subscription doesn't appear in settings

If you can log in but don't see a subscription listed in Settings, you may have a free account or your subscription may have already expired. Check your most recent bank statement or credit card bill to confirm whether charges are still occurring. If charges are appearing but no subscription is visible, contact POF support immediately-this indicates a billing error that POF must investigate and correct.

App store cancellation doesn't reflect in POF account

If you cancelled through Apple or Google, the change can take up to 24 hours to sync with your POF account. Your premium features may remain temporarily available during this period, but the charge will stop. If premium access remains after 48 hours and no new charges appear, the cancellation has been processed successfully.

Duplicate charges appearing on your card

POF occasionally glitches and charges twice in a single month. Check your bank statement for multiple POF transactions on the same day or within days of each other. Contact POF support immediately with proof of the duplicate charge and request a refund. They typically issue refunds for double-billing within 5-7 business days. If they don't refund within 7 days, dispute the duplicate charge with your bank.

Contact information and postal address

Use these details to contact POF or send formal cancellation requests.

For written cancellations, use recorded delivery to the postal address above. Keep your receipt and send a copy of your letter. This creates an undisputable paper trail should you need to escalate to your bank or a regulator.

Your next steps and how stopee can help

You now have the knowledge and tools to cancel your POF subscription confidently and stop unwanted charges.

Start by identifying which platform you subscribed through-POF directly, Apple App Store, or Google Play. Then follow the step-by-step instructions above for your specific platform. Keep your cancellation confirmation and monitor your bank statement for the next renewal date to confirm no charge appears. If charges do appear, dispute them immediately with your bank.

If you encounter resistance from POF or need additional support, Stopee is here for you. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel difficult subscriptions, recover unauthorised charges, and escalate complaints to regulators when companies refused to comply. Visit stopee.com to explore how Stopee can help you resolve your POF cancellation issue or recover money you're owed. Stopee's specialist advisors can guide you through bank disputes, regulatory complaints, and formal escalation procedures if you need them.

Taking action today stops future charges and puts you back in control of your finances. You've done the hardest part by understanding your rights and your options-now follow through with the cancellation steps, keep your proof, and monitor your accounts. Stopee is here to support you every step of the way.