Ending your POF membership made easy

About POF

POF, which stands for Plenty of Fish, is one of the world's largest online dating platforms, serving millions of users across the United Kingdom and internationally. Whilst the service information provided lists POF under banking, this is actually a dating and relationship service that operates on a freemium model, offering both free and premium subscription options to UK residents seeking romantic connections.

The platform was launched in 2003 and has since established itself as a popular choice for singles looking to meet potential partners. POF operates primarily through its website and mobile applications, available on both iOS and Android devices. The service allows users to create profiles, browse potential matches, and communicate with other members through messaging features.

What distinguishes POF from many competitors is its substantial free tier, which provides basic functionality without payment. However, the company generates revenue through premium subscriptions that unlock additional features and enhanced user experiences. This means that many UK users start with free accounts before deciding whether to upgrade to paid memberships.

The service is owned by Match Group, a major player in the online dating industry that also operates other well-known platforms. For UK users, POF maintains a registered address at PO Box 6887, Coventry, CV6 9EZ, which serves as the official correspondence address for contractual matters, including subscription cancellations and formal complaints.

Understanding your consumer rights when dealing with POF is essential, particularly if you've subscribed to a premium service and now wish to cancel. As a UK consumer, you're protected by robust legislation including the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, which provide specific protections for online service subscriptions.

Subscription plans and pricing

POF operates a tiered service structure that allows users to choose between free access and various premium subscription options. Understanding these different tiers is crucial when considering cancellation, as your rights and obligations vary depending on which service level you've selected.

Free membership features

The basic POF service requires no payment and provides core functionality including profile creation, searching for matches, and sending messages to other users. Free members can upload photos, complete personality assessments, and participate in the platform's matching algorithms. This means that if you're using only the free service, you don't have a subscription to cancel in the traditional sense, though you may still wish to delete your account entirely.

Premium subscription options

POF offers premium upgrades that unlock additional features designed to enhance the user experience. These paid subscriptions typically include benefits such as seeing whether messages have been read, accessing extended profile information, appearing higher in search results, and removing advertisements from the platform interface.

These prices represent typical ranges and may vary based on promotional offers, regional pricing adjustments, or platform changes. The key principle to understand is that longer subscription commitments generally offer lower monthly rates but require larger upfront payments and longer contractual obligations.

Auto-renewal mechanisms

This is where many UK consumers encounter difficulties. POF subscriptions typically auto-renew by default, which means that unless you actively cancel before the renewal date, your payment method will be charged automatically for another subscription period. This practice is common across the online dating industry but can catch users by surprise, particularly if they've forgotten about an old subscription or assumed it would expire naturally.

As a result, understanding exactly when your subscription renews and how to stop this automatic renewal is essential for protecting your financial interests. The auto-renewal system means that simply stopping use of the service doesn't end your financial obligation—you must actively cancel the subscription through proper channels.

Cancellation terms and conditions

Understanding the legal framework governing your POF subscription cancellation is crucial for protecting your consumer rights. UK law provides substantial protections, but you must follow correct procedures to benefit from them fully.

Your statutory rights under UK law

The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 grant you specific rights when purchasing services online. For digital content and services like POF, you have a 14-day cooling-off period from the date you subscribe, during which you can cancel for any reason and receive a full refund. This applies to new subscriptions and renewals, though if you've used the service during this period, POF may deduct a proportionate amount for the service you've consumed.

Beyond the 14-day cooling-off period, your cancellation rights depend on POF's contractual terms and conditions. Therefore, examining these terms carefully is essential. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 also provides protections, stating that services must be performed with reasonable care and skill, and must match their description. If POF fails to meet these standards, you may have grounds for cancellation even outside the cooling-off period.

Notice periods and refund policies

POF's standard terms typically require that you cancel before the next billing cycle begins to avoid charges for the subsequent period. This means that timing is critical. If your subscription renews on the 15th of each month, you must ensure your cancellation is processed before that date to prevent the next month's charge.

In practice, most users who cancel outside the 14-day cooling-off period will not receive refunds for unused portions of their subscription. For example, if you're two weeks into a monthly subscription when you cancel, you've typically paid for the full month and won't receive a partial refund. However, you should retain access to premium features until the current paid period ends.

Common reasons for cancellation

Understanding why UK consumers cancel POF subscriptions helps contextualize the cancellation process. Many users report finding a partner and no longer needing the service—the ideal outcome for a dating platform. Others cite dissatisfaction with match quality, concerns about fake profiles or scam accounts, frustration with the user interface, or simply deciding that online dating isn't suitable for their circumstances.

Some consumers cancel after discovering unexpected charges from auto-renewal, whilst others find that the premium features don't provide sufficient value compared to the free service. Financial circumstances also play a role, as subscription costs become unaffordable or users decide to prioritize spending elsewhere. Regardless of your reason, you have the right to cancel according to the terms of your agreement.

Why postal cancellation is the most reliable method

When cancelling a subscription service like POF, sending a formal cancellation letter by post—specifically by Recorded Delivery—provides the strongest evidence of your cancellation request. This method creates an auditable paper trail that proves you've fulfilled your contractual obligations to notify the company of your intention to cancel.

Digital cancellation methods, whilst convenient, can present problems. Online account settings may not function correctly, leaving you uncertain whether your cancellation has been processed. Customer service chat systems may not provide adequate confirmation, and email cancellation requests can be overlooked, filtered into spam folders, or claimed never to have been received. As a result, you might continue being charged despite believing you've cancelled.

Postal cancellation via Recorded Delivery eliminates these uncertainties. You receive a certificate of posting and can track the letter's delivery, providing definitive proof that POF received your cancellation notice on a specific date. This documentation becomes invaluable if disputes arise about whether you cancelled in time to avoid renewal charges or if the company claims never to have received your cancellation request.

Under UK consumer protection law, companies must acknowledge and act upon properly submitted cancellation requests. A formal letter sent to POF's registered address at PO Box 6887, Coventry, CV6 9EZ, represents a legally robust method of exercising your cancellation rights. This approach is particularly important for subscriptions involving recurring payments, where clear documentation of cancellation dates can prevent ongoing unauthorized charges.

How to cancel POF by post

Cancelling your POF subscription by post involves several important steps that ensure your cancellation is properly documented and legally effective. Following this process carefully protects your consumer rights and provides evidence should any disputes arise.

Preparing your cancellation letter

Your cancellation letter should be clear, concise, and include all necessary information to identify your account and process your request. Include your full name as it appears on your POF account, your email address associated with the account, your POF username if applicable, and your account number or subscriber reference if you have this information from billing statements.

State clearly and unambiguously that you wish to cancel your POF subscription with immediate effect or from the end of your current billing period. Specify that you're withdrawing from the contract and that you do not wish the subscription to auto-renew. Include the date you're writing the letter, as this establishes the timeline for your cancellation notice.

Request written confirmation of your cancellation, including confirmation that no further payments will be taken from your account. This creates an obligation for POF to respond and provides you with documentation of the cancellation completion. If you're within the 14-day cooling-off period, explicitly state that you're exercising your statutory right to cancel under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 and request a full refund.

The correct postal address for cancellation

Your cancellation letter must be sent to POF's official registered address to ensure it reaches the correct department and is processed according to company procedures. The address you need is:

• PO Box 6887, Coventry, CV6 9EZ

Using this exact address is crucial. Sending cancellation letters to incorrect addresses can delay processing or result in your cancellation not being actioned, potentially leading to continued charges. Always verify you've written the address correctly before posting your letter.

Sending by Recorded Delivery

Visit your local Post Office and send your cancellation letter by Recorded Delivery, which currently costs around £3.35 for standard letters. This service provides a certificate of posting and tracking information that proves when your letter was sent and when POF received it. Keep your certificate of posting in a safe place along with a copy of your cancellation letter.

Recorded Delivery typically delivers within one to two working days, though you should allow slightly longer for PO Box addresses. You can track your letter online using the tracking number provided on your certificate of posting, which shows when the letter has been delivered and, in some cases, who signed for it.

Following up on your cancellation

After sending your cancellation letter, monitor your bank account or credit card statements to ensure no further payments are taken. If POF processes payments after the date when your cancellation should have taken effect, you have grounds to request a refund and may need to contact your bank to dispute the transaction.

If you don't receive written confirmation of your cancellation within 10 working days, consider sending a follow-up letter, again by Recorded Delivery, referencing your original cancellation request and including copies of your proof of posting. This demonstrates that you've made reasonable efforts to cancel and strengthens your position if you need to escalate the matter.

How Postclic simplifies the cancellation process

For UK consumers who want to ensure their cancellation is handled correctly without the hassle of drafting letters and visiting the Post Office, services like Postclic offer a streamlined alternative. Postclic specializes in sending formal letters on your behalf, handling the entire postal process digitally whilst maintaining the legal robustness of traditional Recorded Delivery.

Using Postclic, you can submit your cancellation details online, and the service professionally formats your letter, prints it, and sends it by tracked postal service to POF's registered address. This means you receive digital proof of sending and delivery tracking without needing to leave your home or navigate Post Office queues.

The service maintains records of your cancellation correspondence, providing easily accessible documentation should you need to reference your cancellation date or prove you fulfilled your contractual obligations. This digital approach combines the legal advantages of postal cancellation with the convenience of online services, offering particular value for consumers who work irregular hours or have limited access to Post Office facilities.

Customer reviews and tips

Learning from other UK consumers' experiences with cancelling POF subscriptions provides valuable insights into common pitfalls and effective strategies for ensuring your cancellation is processed smoothly.

Common challenges reported by users

Many UK consumers report difficulties locating clear cancellation instructions on the POF platform itself. The cancellation process isn't always prominently displayed in account settings, leading users to waste time searching for options that may not be readily available. This design pattern, sometimes called \