Attorney General files action to halt practices of senior dating service in Beaumont

Restraining order reflects BBB concerns about, Matchmaker Matchmaker

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott obtained a temporary restraining order and asset freeze on July 11, 2013, against a specialized dating service that targeted senior citizens, disabled Texans and veterans.  According to the State’s enforcement action, the defendants misled customers about the nature of the services and violated state debt collection laws.

The State’s enforcement action names Javier Luna and several entities as defendants.  These include: Matchmaker Matchmaker, Sagejax Inc. and Monterey Financial Services Inc., a debt collector.  According to State investigators, Matchmaker Matchmaker made cold calls to select individuals in order to encourage them to join the fee-based dating service.  During the prospective calls, potential customers were falsely told that “thousands” of individuals were included in the dating service’s database.  Further, the defendant falsely claimed to have the Better Business Bureau’s endorsement.

Potential customers who expressed an interest in the dating service were encouraged to visit the defendants’ office for an in-person consultation.  According to court documents filed by the State, the defendant charged between $3,000 and $10,000 for their services.   Individuals who elected not to join the service and pay the fee were told to pay a “termination fee” – or face a debt collection action by additional defendant Monterey Financial.  Office of the Attorney General investigators determined that for purposes of this enforcement action, Monterey Financial failed to file a bond as security, which Texas law requires.

The Texas Attorney General’s Office is seeking to secure frozen assets to satisfy a future court judgment on behalf of senior citizens and others who were harmed by the defendants.  The State’s enforcement action was brought under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, the Telephone Solicitation Act and the Finance Code for debt collection violations. 

The BBB in Southeast Texas became aware of consumers concerns back in January of this year when the first complaint was received.  Other complaints followed and a pattern of complaint was established.  For additional details, or to file a complaint, visit: http://www.bbb.org/southeast-texas/business-reviews/dating-service/matchmaker-matchmaker-in-beaumont-tx-90054961  and 

https://www.oag.state.tx.us/oagnews/release.php?id=4448