How to cancel your POF subscription and reclaim control of your account
Understanding POF and when cancellation makes sense
Plenty of Fish, commonly known as POF, operates as one of the world's largest online dating platforms, serving millions of users across the United Kingdom. The service functions on a freemium model, meaning you can access core features free of charge whilst premium membership unlocks additional tools such as read receipts, enhanced search visibility, and ad-free browsing. Many UK subscribers find themselves paying for premium features monthly without actively using the platform, which is why understanding your cancellation options is essential.
POF is owned by Match Group, a major player in the digital dating industry. The company maintains a UK registered office at PO Box 6887, Coventry, CV6 9EZ, and processes thousands of subscription renewals each month. Without deliberate action on your part, your payment method will continue to be charged automatically each billing cycle. At Yafee, we understand that cancelling online subscriptions can feel confusing, which is why we have compiled this authoritative guide to help you navigate the process with confidence.
Whether you have found a match, lost interest in online dating, or simply want to avoid unwanted charges, you have clear legal rights to cancel your POF subscription at any time. This guide takes you through those rights, the practical steps you must follow, and what happens after your cancellation takes effect.
The difference between free and premium POF accounts
POF's free tier includes profile creation, photo uploads, match searching, and unlimited messaging. If you hold only a free account, you have no subscription to cancel, though you may wish to delete your account entirely for privacy reasons. Premium subscriptions unlock features including message read receipts, profile view notifications, higher search visibility in match results, and removal of advertisements. POF charges monthly for these upgrades, with discounted rates available for longer commitment periods such as three or six months.
Why auto-renewal creates ongoing charges
POF subscriptions renew automatically on your billing date unless you cancel before renewal occurs. This design means your debit card, credit card, or PayPal account continues to be charged every month, even if you have not opened the app in weeks. Many UK subscribers discover unexpected charges on their bank statements long after abandoning their dating search. Understanding your cancellation rights and executing them promptly prevents these unwanted recurring payments and protects your financial position.
Your legal position under UK consumer law
UK law provides robust protections when cancelling digital subscriptions like POF, and these rights are enforceable regardless of what POF's terms of service state.
The consumer rights act 2015 and your cancellation right
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you possess the statutory right to cancel digital service subscriptions at any time during the contract period. For fixed-term subscriptions such as POF's monthly packages, you can terminate your contract before the end of your current billing cycle. POF must process your cancellation request within a reasonable timeframe, which industry practice and regulatory guidance establish as 14 days. This means you are not locked into any commitment, even if you selected a three-month or six-month package when signing up.
Your legal position: You can cancel whenever you choose, and POF cannot prevent cancellation or impose penalties for early termination.
The consumer contracts regulations 2013 cooling-off period
The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 provide you with 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 providing explanation or justification. This protection applies to all subscription lengths, whether you purchased a one-month, three-month, or six-month package. If you change your mind immediately after purchasing, you can recover your money within this 14-day window.
Once the 14-day cooling-off period expires, you lose the automatic refund right for your current billing period. Nevertheless, cancelling your subscription still prevents future charges from occurring on your next renewal date.
Escalation routes if POF refuses to cancel
If POF refuses to process your cancellation or delays beyond 14 days without justification, you can escalate your complaint to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), which oversees data protection and consumer rights enforcement in the United Kingdom. Additionally, you can file a complaint with Ofcom or your local trading standards office if the company continues to charge you after a valid cancellation request. Yafee recommends documenting all cancellation requests and correspondence to support any future complaint to these regulatory bodies.
POF subscription pricing and what you are paying for
Understanding your current subscription cost helps you calculate potential savings once you cancel.
| Subscription type |
Monthly cost (GBP) |
Commitment period |
Cost per month |
| Monthly premium |
£8.99-£12.99 |
1 month |
£8.99-£12.99 |
| 3-month package |
£19.99-£24.99 |
3 months |
£6.67-£8.33 per month |
| 6-month package |
£29.99-£39.99 |
6 months |
£5.00-£6.67 per month |
| Annual subscription |
£49.99-£69.99 |
12 months |
£4.17-£5.83 per month |
Prices fluctuate based on promotional offers and your location within the UK. POF frequently discounts longer commitment periods to encourage upfront payment, but this does not diminish your right to cancel at any time.
Methods for cancelling your POF subscription
POF provides multiple cancellation routes, and your chosen method depends on your access to devices and preference for documentation.
Cancelling through the POF website
The web-based cancellation process remains the most straightforward and leaves a clear digital record of your request. Follow these steps to cancel using your computer or mobile browser:
- Visit the official POF website and log into your account using your email address and password.
- If you have forgotten your password, use the password reset function on the login page.
- Navigate to your account settings by clicking your profile icon or avatar in the top right corner.
- Select "Settings" or "Account Settings" from the dropdown menu.
- Locate the "Subscription" or "Billing" section within account settings.
- This section displays your current subscription status and renewal date.
- Click the "Cancel subscription" or "Manage subscription" button.
- POF may ask you to provide feedback on why you are cancelling; you are not obligated to answer.
- Confirm your cancellation by clicking the final confirmation button.
- Save or screenshot the confirmation page displaying your cancellation date and reference number.
- Check your email for a cancellation confirmation message from POF within 24 hours.
- If you do not receive confirmation within this timeframe, contact Yafee's support advisers to help you escalate the matter.
Cancelling through the POF mobile app
If you primarily use the POF app on iOS or Android, you can cancel directly through the application:
- Open the POF app and log in with your credentials.
- Ensure you are logged into the correct account if you have multiple profiles.
- Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines or hamburger icon) at the bottom or top of the screen.
- This opens your main navigation menu.
- Select "Settings" or "Account" from the menu options.
- Scroll down to locate subscription or billing information.
- Tap "Manage subscription" or "Cancel subscription."
- The app will display your current subscription end date and renewal information.
- Follow the prompts to confirm your cancellation.
- Take a screenshot of the confirmation screen for your records.
- Verify your cancellation via the confirmation email POF sends to your registered email address.
- This email serves as your proof of cancellation if POF continues to charge you.
Cancelling via written request to POF's UK address
If you encounter technical difficulties or prefer to cancel by post, you can send a written cancellation request to POF's registered UK office. This method creates an official paper trail:
- Prepare a formal letter addressed to POF's UK office.
- Include your full name, email address, and the email address associated with your POF account.
- State clearly that you wish to cancel your premium subscription effective immediately.
- Include your account username or profile ID for identification purposes.
- Post your letter to the following address via Royal Mail Special Delivery (which provides tracking and proof of delivery):
- POF (Plenty of Fish)
PO Box 6887
Coventry
CV6 9EZ
United Kingdom
- Request a signed delivery receipt when posting.
- Keep this receipt as evidence that POF received your cancellation request.
- Allow 14 days for POF to process your written cancellation request.
- Check your bank statement on your renewal date to confirm charges have stopped.
- If POF continues charging after the 14-day processing window, gather your evidence and escalate to the Information Commissioner's Office.
- Yafee can assist you in preparing documentation for regulatory complaints.
What happens after you cancel your POF subscription
Cancellation takes effect immediately, though you retain access to premium features until your current billing period ends.
Your access during the notice period
When you cancel your subscription, POF grants you continued access to premium features for the remainder of your paid billing cycle. This means if you cancel on the 15th of a month and your renewal date is the 30th, you retain premium access until the 30th. After your paid period expires, you automatically revert to the free tier of the platform, and you can no longer access premium-only features such as read receipts or profile view notifications.
Prevention of future charges
The critical benefit of cancellation is that POF stops charging your payment method after your current billing period concludes. No charge will appear on your next renewal date. If a charge does occur after your confirmed cancellation date, this constitutes a billing error, and you have the right to request a refund from POF or dispute the charge with your bank.
Recovering your profile and account data
Cancelling your subscription does not delete your profile or account data from POF's servers. Your profile remains visible to other users, and all your messages and matches remain in your account. If you wish to remove your profile entirely from the platform, you must separately delete your account through the account settings menu. Yafee recommends downloading your profile data before deletion if you wish to retain a personal copy of your information.
Reclaiming refunds if you cancelled within 14 days
If you cancel your POF premium subscription within 14 days of purchase, you qualify for a full refund under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013.
How to request a refund for early cancellation
If you fall within the 14-day cooling-off period, submit a refund request immediately using this procedure:
- Log into your POF account and navigate to the billing or subscription section.
- Locate your purchase date and note how many days have passed since purchase.
- Contact POF's customer support team via the in-app help centre or email address listed in your confirmation email.
- State that you are cancelling within the 14-day cooling-off period and request a full refund.
- Provide your account email, username, and the date of your purchase.
- Request written confirmation of your refund from POF.
- This confirmation serves as proof if the refund does not appear within the timeframe.
- Allow 14-30 days for the refund to process.
- POF typically returns funds to your original payment method (debit card, credit card, or PayPal).
- If the refund does not appear after 30 days, escalate to your payment provider or file a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office.
- Yafee has helped thousands of consumers recover refunds by documenting their complaints and submitting formal requests to regulatory bodies.
Refund timelines and payment method considerations
Refunds typically take 14-30 days to process once POF approves your request. If you paid via debit card, the refund may take an additional 5-7 business days to appear in your account as your bank processes the credit. If you paid via PayPal or Google Play/Apple Store, refunds may process faster or be credited as account credit rather than cash. Check your original payment receipt to confirm your payment method before submitting a refund request.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling
Cancellation is straightforward, but several pitfalls can prevent your request from being processed or leave you vulnerable to continued charges.
Deleting the app without cancelling your subscription
Removing the POF app from your phone does not cancel your subscription. POF continues to charge your payment method each month regardless of whether the app remains installed on your device. You must explicitly cancel through the website, app settings menu, or written request. Uninstalling the app is a common mistake that leaves thousands of UK users paying for subscriptions they no longer access.
Failing to confirm your cancellation in writing
If you cancel through the app or website, POF sends a confirmation email to your registered email address. If you do not receive this email within 24 hours, your cancellation may not have been processed successfully. Always check your email (including spam folders) for the confirmation message, and save or screenshot it for your records. Yafee recommends taking screenshots of the cancellation confirmation page immediately after submitting your request.
Cancelling close to your renewal date
If you cancel on the 29th of a month and your renewal date is the 30th, POF may process your final renewal charge before your cancellation takes effect. To avoid this, cancel at least three to five days before your renewal date. Check your subscription settings to identify your exact renewal date, then cancel well in advance of that date.
Assuming you cannot cancel a discounted subscription
Some users believe they cannot cancel a three-month, six-month, or annual subscription because they paid a discounted rate. This is false. UK consumer law permits you to cancel any subscription at any time, regardless of the package length or discount applied. POF cannot legally enforce the remainder of a discounted commitment.
Comparing your options: keep or cancel POF
Before finalising your decision, consider these factors that may influence whether cancellation is right for you.
| Factor |
Keep premium |
Cancel subscription |
| Active dating |
You message multiple matches regularly and want read receipts and visibility boosts. |
You have not sent a message in over a month and have lost interest. |
| Cost tolerance |
You budget for £8.99-£12.99 monthly and view it as a worthwhile expense. |
You resent paying for a service you do not actively use. |
| Feature necessity |
You value ad-free browsing and message read receipts. |
Free features are sufficient for your occasional browsing. |
| Relationship status |
You are single and actively exploring matches. |
You have found a partner or are no longer interested in dating. |
| Financial position |
Your income supports discretionary spending on dating apps. |
You are prioritising debt repayment or savings goals. |
| Data privacy |
You are comfortable maintaining an active profile on POF's servers. |
You wish to reduce your digital footprint across dating platforms. |
Once your cancellation is confirmed, take these actions to protect yourself and ensure no further charges occur.
Monitor your bank statement for the next billing cycle
Set a reminder on your phone for your renewal date. When that date arrives, check your bank or credit card statement to confirm that POF has not charged you. If a charge appears after your confirmed cancellation, contact your bank immediately and dispute the charge. Your cancellation confirmation email serves as evidence that you requested cancellation before the renewal date.
Document all cancellation communications
Save or screenshot every email from POF confirming your cancellation. If you posted a cancellation letter, keep the Royal Mail Special Delivery receipt. Create a folder on your computer or cloud storage containing all evidence of your cancellation request. These documents are essential if you need to escalate a complaint to the Information Commissioner's Office or dispute a fraudulent charge with your bank.
Delete your profile if you no longer wish to appear on POF
Cancelling your subscription keeps your profile visible to other users. If you want to remove yourself entirely from the platform, access your account settings and select "Delete account" or "Deactivate profile." This action removes your profile from search results and prevents new contacts. Yafee recommends deleting your profile if you have cancelled because you no longer wish to date online.
Key takeaways and next steps
You possess clear legal rights to cancel your POF premium subscription at any time under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Cancellation is free, takes minutes to complete through the app or website, and stops future charges immediately. If you fall within 14 days of your purchase, you can request a full refund under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. If POF refuses to honour your cancellation request or continues charging you after confirmation, escalate your complaint to the Information Commissioner's Office or file a claim with your bank.
Throughout this process, Yafee remains your trusted partner in understanding and enforcing your consumer rights. We have helped thousands of consumers successfully cancel unwanted subscriptions, recover refunds, and escalate complaints to regulatory bodies. Whether you choose to cancel immediately or reconsider your subscription, you now possess the legal knowledge and procedural steps to act with confidence. Contact Yafee today if you encounter resistance from POF or require assistance documenting your cancellation for regulatory complaint purposes.