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It was only a matter of time. True.com made it’s name as a website dedicated to safer dating. Now, it’s fighting to keep a convicted sex offender off it’s site.
True reportedly took quick action, reporting the offender to the authorities and filing a suite against him. The get around to mentioning that the offenders profile was removed from the site 3/4 through the press release, and this was reported via Brooke Benson, who reportedly has seen the lecherous creature on several other websites.
True being True, takes a swipe at Eharmony by fabricating a quote from Ms. Benson stating she felt that eHarmony was not “aggressive enough” when it came to dealing with a sex offender on eHarmony.com.
This is the one they caught, who knows how many others are on True.com or any other website. I would guess thousands.
Vest wants to “See convicted felony records opened to the public in all jurisdictions to better protect our consumers and our children.” I hope he means for sexual predators and not run of the mill B&E or lesser crimes.
[tags: safety]
Category:Legal, Safety Tags: Legal - SafetyBlog reactions
9 responses so far ↓
1
Sam Moorcroft, ChristianCafe.com (Check me out!)
// Nov 10, 2005 at 5:30 pm
I’m reading this post, then True’s press release, then the comment #9 on “Who created the True.com personality test?” on Nov 02, 2005 by “Dan”.
He alleges that Herb Vest is being sued by an ex-fiance for demanding that “she have sex with other women.” He also alleges that Vest had sexual harrassment claims made against him at his old company.
Is this a smear campaign against Vest? Or, is there any truth to this (well, the lawsuit, anyway)?
Displaying racy banner ads all over the Net replete with sexual innuendos and near-naked and/or busty women doesn’t exactly contribute to True’s stated goal of “creat(ing) a wholesome environment for courtship” and “whose mission is to help singles find long-lasting and fulfilling relationships” as Vest states in his press release.
2
Bill Broadbent (Check me out!)
// Nov 10, 2005 at 11:33 pm
Very interesting Dave - nice find.
I applaud True and Mr. Vest for taking action on their member’s tip. Interestingly, they didn’t catch this person running their standard background check and he was actively using their site. This is the point everyone has been making about requiring background checks. Have they had no other criminals try to enroll? Have there been other suits filed for others that have lied or is this just a publicity stunt and cover up to mask that their background checks aren’t full proof?
In their own press release they openly admit that their background check source can only get to about 94% of the country yet they do not PROMINENTLY POST THAT FACT ON THEIR HOMEPAGE. Since they aggressively use background checks as a marketing and sales technique, it seems somewhat hypocrytical to me to not disclose that fact when you consider the bombastic and aureate attitude they’ve displayed about full disclosure. Again, I applaud them for taking action and think background checks can help, but they have just proven virtually everyone else’s point that the regulations they are trying to push would simply be bad legislation and give user’s a false sense of security.
I will admit they are very good at disclosing that background checks do not work all the time, maybe not on their homepage but at least in press releases. But here’s the question, why do they feel that the disclosure of performing background checks should be prominent on everyone’s homepage and not post the potential for fault of their own background checks prominently on their homepage. It seems like a double standard. Seems like they are saying, “We can post our disclosures in our terms of service agreement, but everyone else should post their background check claims (or lack thereof) on their homepage.” Disclosure is important. But either a Terms of Service Agreement is enforceable and enough in terms of disclosure or ALL e-commerce relying on one should be considered uninforceable. The latter seems rediculous in this modern age.
Sincerely,
Bill Broadbent
CEO
Instinct Marketing, Inc.
Ps. Great spin they put on this, but it’s kind of ironic they were trying to get things passed in California and the state doesn’t disclose those criminal records according to their own press release.
3
Jeff Werk (Check me out!)
// Nov 11, 2005 at 7:46 pm
Makes sense. If you run adult oriented banners all over the internet as True.com does selling the site through sexually suggestive t&a ads,it stands to reason you’ll attract sex offenders. The sex offender should plea entrapment!
4
MJ (Check me out!)
// Nov 29, 2005 at 1:42 pm
E-DATING IS VERY POPULAR……..and according to nbc dateline there are at any given time 50000 sexual preditors. Do web-sites that offer dating itroduction services need to screen potential applicants……….??
LETS RECAP-MOST SITES REQUIRE a credit card with a user name and address and verifucation. Some screen out clients via personality/emotional testing. You can’t post sexual content, they don’t reveal your personal info(email adrress), they offer tons of safety tips PRIOR TO CORRESPONDING to anyone. THEY will cancel your memberships for harrassing emails and or complaints. MOST SITES give you the option of blocking ANYONE you DO NOT WISH TO converse with.
E-dating sites also post disclaimers, etc. KEEP IN MIND THESE GUYS JUST INTRODUCE POTENTIAL PEOPLE—what happens after you two meet IS NOT their responsibility.
mj
5
UnKown (Check me out!)
// Nov 30, 2005 at 11:58 pm
to answer Sam’s queston. Yes Vest is being sued by his former fiancee. No it is not a smear campiagn. You can verify the law suit on http://www.courtstuff.com.
Currently the case is being appealed and the file is seal. Which is interesting because Vest promotes background checks, but is fighting to keep his information from the public.
The details of the case and testimony of the women are true. Why else would Vest want it sealed?
I am surprise there is information about this lawsuit, because I am the woman that filed. I have recieved several requests for interviews, because this is ongoing I have not given any interviews yet. I believe I will soon have to release a statement regarding this matter due to Vest’s attacks on my charator. I had hoped we could resolve this matter privately, but after a recent court order mediation and a vail intimidation it doesn’t appear possible.
6
Dan (Check me out!)
// Dec 13, 2005 at 10:52 am
True = Lies
Dr. Jim Houran was fired a couple of months ago. Vest is sueing the doctor and Mr Lange. Vest wants sole ownership of the tests the two created and is threatening them to get it. What a NUT!
True claims an expert team, but there isn’t any!
True has no psycholigist and their background checks don’t work. Vest himself is fighting to keep his own background out of the public eye. True/Vest has felled to get the background disclosure law passed in 6 states, which includes Texas there home state. Next up Illinois.
And now Apparently, blogs have posters that claim they have seen documentation of fraud on the part of True. That is, ex-employees who claim that part of their job description was to pose as real people and keep people as members to motivate them to become paid subscribers.
I think that this issue becomes even more pertinent in light of similar allegations currently against Match.com and Yahoo Personals. It is no secret that some “customer service” people that used to work at True are no longer there — and having left under curious circumstances. Vest, should also be questioned as to whether they have any knowledge of fake/bait profiles being used by True employees and management to essentially deceive or defraud customers or potential customers.
7
Bink (Check me out!)
// Dec 15, 2005 at 12:22 pm
Yahoo and Match are being sued for fraud. The old bate and switch. True is the worst at this. See http://www.ripoffreport.com Is the free trail really free? Check out http://www.edaterreview.com
Question? No expert team of psycholigist. Background checks don’t work. Even the company says it is fool proof.
Is the endorsement from Psychology Today an academic endorsement or a paid endorsement?
True pushes for legislation requiring disclosure and yet they curiously are not disclosing that certain features/ benefits of the site are no longer part of the price of membership.
Why use True.com? Their gimmicks are TRUE.
8
Sheila (Check me out!)
// Sep 11, 2006 at 10:26 pm
The sex offender I know who is on the ittakes2.com and yahoopersonals used someone elses credit card . I informed both sites and they didn’t care. They just cared about the $$. They told me they were monitoring him. Now some woman he met on myspace.com is living with him and she has 3 children( girls). She was warned beforehand about him but she fell for his sad-story ( I was molested as a child story). Whatever happens she can’t say she wasn’t warned. Some people are so needy they don’t care who they get as long as it is a warm(?) body. SAD.
9
Jake (Check me out!)
// Sep 21, 2006 at 9:26 am
Sheila: How do you know that the person you’re referring to is a sex offender?
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