Filing a BBB Complaint to Match Group: Get Unbanned from Tinder, Hinge, OkC.

Being banned from Tinder, Hinge, or any of Match Group’s dating apps can feel like being shut out of modern dating itself. 

One day, you’re matching, chatting, and maybe even planning dates, and the next, you’re staring at a message that bluntly tells you your account has been removed, with no explanation.

Filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) can help you unban your account. It’s not guaranteed to work, but it’s one of the only ways to get a real person at Match Group to look at your case.

Why Turn to BBB to Get Unbanned on Match Group Apps?

People turn to BBB because Tinder and Hinge have offered little or no transparency when it comes to bans, even after Tinder introduced an official Appeal Center in 2023.

“After careful review, we have determined your account will remain banned for violating our Terms of Service.” → and that’s it. No details, no evidence.

For many, the stakes are high because a ban means losing access to matches and conversations, paid subscriptions, and the chance to use the most popular dating apps in your region.

And it’s not always clear why bans happen in the first place. Users often believe they were banned because of:

• False reports from matches, ex-partners, or trolls wanting revenge or attention.
• Algorithm errors flagging harmless photos or jokes as rule violations.
• Inconsistent enforcement of community guidelines, where one user is banned for something others do without issue.

These apps rarely tell you exactly what rule you broke, citing privacy and community safety. 

How Can BBB Convince Match Group to Respond?

Although the BBB is not a government agency and cannot legally force Match Group to unban you, it does carry weight for a few reasons.

It requires companies to respond publicly, which they prefer to avoid if possible, sometimes even escalating your complaint to higher-level support teams instead of low-level moderators.

It creates a permanent, visible record that can motivate companies to resolve issues. Many have filed BBB complaints against Match Group over bans, billing disputes, and other issues. 

While not everyone gets unbanned, there’s enough success to make it worth trying if you got banned without a reason.

How to File a Successful BBB Complaint That’ll Get You Unbanned

To file an effective complaint, you need to be thorough and well-mannered to heighten your chances of winning BBB on your side. Here’s how:

1. Go to bbb.org and click “File a Complaint.”

2. Search for the business by typing “Tinder, LLC,” “Hinge, LLC,” or whichever Match Group app applies. These companies are usually listed under businesses in Dallas, Texas.

3. Select the business and choose “File a complaint against this business”.

4. Enter your personal details (name, email, phone number, mailing address)

5. Write your complaint. Keep it polite and professional. Avoid insults, threats, or profanity. Be clear about what happened, and specific about what you want:

For example:

“My Tinder account was banned on March 5, 2024. I never violated the community guidelines and received no warning or explanation. I’ve tried contacting support but only received generic messages saying my account will remain banned. I’m requesting a review of my case and reinstatement of my account.”

6. Submit the complaint. The BBB will give you a confirmation and a case number. Save this number so you can check the status of your complaint later.

Once filed, the BBB forwards your complaint to Match Group, which has up to 14 days to respond. The company may respond either through the BBB system or directly to your email.

What You Need Before You File Your Complaint

It’s important to know that filing a BBB complaint isn’t magic. If you were banned for genuinely breaking serious rules like harassment, scams, or hate speech, a complaint likely won’t help.

Before you start, you’ll need:

• A strong case. Have a clear explanation of why you believe your ban was a mistake or unfair.
• Your account details, including the app (Tinder, Hinge, OkCupid, PoF, etc.), your phone number or email linked to the account, and the approximate date of the ban.
• A concise, factual story of what happened and why you deserve reinstatement.
• Patience. The BBB process often takes one to three weeks.
• Access to the BBB website. The BBB mainly operates in the US, Canada, the UK, and parts of Europe. If you live outside these areas, you might need a VPN to reach the site reliably.

Try the app’s own appeal system before going to the BBB. While it’s not required, mentioning that you tried official channels first can strengthen your complaint because it shows you made an effort to resolve things internally.

Writing a Strong Complaint 101: Real Approaches and Examples

– Emphasize the Unfairness of Your Ban

If you believe your ban was unjustified, be clear about why and ask for a fair review.

“Hi,
I am requesting a review of my ban from [dating app] as I believe it was unfair. My profile and behavior did not violate the Community Guidelines, yet I was banned for [reason]. I believe this was a misunderstanding because [explain your intent].
I appreciate your time and hope for a resolution.
Thank you, [Your Name]”

– Point Out Inconsistent Enforcement

If you’ve seen other users doing the same thing without being banned, highlight that inconsistency.

“Hello,
I was banned from [dating app], but I have noticed that other users who did the same thing were not penalized. For example, I [describe your action], but I have seen many others continue to do this without facing consequences. This inconsistency makes it unclear what the actual rules are.
I would appreciate a fair review of my case.
Sincerely, [Your Name]”

– Express Confusion About the Ban

If you truly don’t know why you were banned, explain your confusion and ask for clarification.

“Hi,
I am confused about my ban from [dating app] as I have always followed the rules. I never received a warning or an explanation, and I would like to understand what happened. If this was a mistake, I kindly request a second chance.
Thank you for your time, [Your Name]”

– Offer a Sincere Apology

If you suspect you may have made a mistake, a polite apology might help.

“Hello,
I take full responsibility for my actions that led to my ban from [dating app]. I truly regret what happened and have learned from my mistake. I have enjoyed using this platform for years and would love the opportunity to return.
I hope you can consider my request.
Warm regards, [Your Name]”

Choose whichever approach fits your situation, personalize it, and submit it with confidence.

What Happens After You File Your Complaint With BBB?

Once your complaint is filed, the waiting game begins. The BBB sends your complaint to Match Group’s customer relations team in Dallas.

You’ll get an email confirming your complaint was forwarded, and then Match Group reviews your case and responds, either through the BBB website or directly by email.

Responses generally fall into two categories:

→ A generic refusal that says something like, “We reviewed our records and determined this account violated our Terms of Service. Due to privacy concerns, we cannot provide further details.”

→ A positive resolution where Match Group reinstates your account or offers a refund. This is less common, but some users have had success even after failing with the regular support channels.

What to Do If BBB Doesn’t (or Can’t) Help?

One common route is creating a new account, but Match Group has sophisticated ways of detecting banned users returning. For example, Tinder employs a 90-day rule (or even longer) when it comes to data retention.

To avoid detection, you’ll need to:

• Restart your device to clear cached data.
• Create a new Apple ID or Samsung account so your device looks new.
• Change your internet connection, either by switching Wi-Fi networks or using mobile data to avoid being recognized by your IP address.
• Get a new phone number, as dating apps link accounts heavily to phone numbers. Services like DatingZest provide new numbers that work with Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble.

If you try all this and still can’t create a new account, Tinder or Hinge may have blacklisted your device entirely, making new signups impossible without a new device.

Alternatively, you could switch to other dating apps that are not owned by Match Group, like Bumble, Facebook Dating, Coffee Meets Bagel, or Happn. 

As a last resort, if you feel truly wronged, you could try filing a complaint with consumer protection agencies or, in rare cases, seek legal help. However, most users find these paths time-consuming and unlikely to result in reinstatement.

Is a BBB Complaint for Tinder, Hinge, and Other Match Group Apps Worth It?

Yes. While there’s no guarantee, filing a BBB complaint is one of the few practical ways to get a real human review of your case. 

It’s free, takes only a few minutes, and has worked for many users who were otherwise stuck with generic denials.

The success rate is not huge (around 10 to 15 percent of complaints seem to get resolved in favor of users, according to the profiles of each app on BBB), but it’s far better than doing nothing. 

So if you’ve been banned from Tinder, Hinge, or another Match Group app and the usual channels have failed, don’t lose hope. A well-crafted BBB complaint could be your best shot at getting back into the dating scene.