Classmates.com User Sues; Schoolmates Weren't Really Looking for Him

When Classmates.com told user Anthony Michaels last Christmas Eve that his former school chums were trying to contact him, he pulled out his wallet and upgraded to the premium membership that would let him contact long-lost fifth-grade dodge-ball buddies and see if his secret crush from high school had looked him up online.

But once he'd parted with the $15, Michaels learned the shocking truth: No one he knew was trying to contact him at all. Classmates.com's come-on was a lie, and he'd been scammed.

At least that's what the San Diego resident alleges in a lawsuit (.pdf) filed against one of the net's original social networking sites, whose banner ads featuring unflattering yearbook pictures remain a staple around the internet. If the lawsuit, which is seeking class action status, succeeds, it could raise the minimum standards of honesty for online businesses.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[DosaHut]

he sued? he couldn't just get a refund? How did this get tot he point of a lawsuit?

Classmates would have refunded his money.

[harriettubman]

This is an asinine lawsuit. I've put in fake names on that site then had pop ups telling me classmates were looking for me under that name. Yeah, right. I did see a lot of my former classmates listed on the site though. Too much personal info for the internet for me.

[vippy]

I was suspicious right away since I did not go to school here in this country LOL. Anyone should have
realized it is a scam, especially when money is involved.

[JScott]

So gullible. I've gotten the message too. It's just a very bad way for Classmates.com to get you to part with your money. I didn't buy it for one second. But now that there's a lawsuit, perhaps they will think carefully about that strategy.

[jp5472]

Was on to this scam almost nine years ago...sorry Classmates, et al, but I don't believe there are former classmates clamoring to reach me. I'll will save my money and hope this suit against this type of ongoing internet deception gains traction and raises the minimum standards of honesty for online businesses.

[yogi66]

they did this to me as well!
the 'classmate' was a person i'd never heard of.
where do i sign up for a little class action?