Is Olivia Raven legit? Who runs it and what you pay

"Legit" usually means three things: is it a real company, will it take more money than I expect, and are the people on it real. Here are the honest answers to each, including the ones that aren't flattering.

Who runs Olivia Raven?

Olivia Raven is run by Ambervine Inc, a Delaware company, 131 Continental Drive, Suite 305, Newark, DE 19713, USA. The name is a brand, not a person: no woman called Olivia Raven is behind the site, and it has no connection with anyone who shares the name. The about page explains more.

The members area, where the dating actually happens, has published terms, a privacy policy and a help centre. The members terms are governed by Delaware law and include an arbitration clause and a class-action waiver. An arbitration clause means disputes go to a private arbitrator rather than a court; a class-action waiver means you can't join a group claim. Read the terms before you pay.

What you'll pay

Joining, creating a profile, browsing and receiving interest are free. Reading and replying to messages needs a paid membership, and so do read receipts, seeing who viewed you and viewing photos in full. Free members see adverts.

The members area shows the exact price of each plan, and the billing name for your statement, before you pay. Memberships renew automatically until you cancel in Settings > Billing.

Prices have been shown in US dollars, so a euro or sterling card will be converted by your bank, which may add a fee. Check the amount and currency on the payment page before you confirm.

The renewal catch

Every membership, including any trial, renews automatically until you cancel in Settings > Billing. This is the part that catches people out, so plan for it:

1. Note the renewal date the moment you pay.
2. Set a reminder for two days before it.
3. Cancel in Settings > Billing if you're not sure you'll want another period.
4. Keep the confirmation.

Under the members terms, a pro-rata refund is only available if at least 40% of the paid period is unused. Optional extras, such as boosts and an ID badge, are sold separately. Full detail is on the prices page.

What shows on your statement

Look at the billing name shown at checkout before you confirm a payment: that's the name to expect on your card statement, and renewals show the same way. Don't assume it will or won't mention the site; check. If you later see a charge you weren't expecting, a membership is probably still renewing, and account help shows how to check and cancel. The privacy and discretion page covers emails and your profile as well.

Are the people real?

Some will be exactly who they say; some won't. That's true of every dating site, and the honest answer is to know what the platform checks:

The members terms also say that profiles and interactions may not always be what they seem. Take that seriously. A badge tells you someone matched their ID at the time; it doesn't tell you they're single, in an open relationship, or honest about what their partner knows.

Warning signs worth acting on

Most scams follow a pattern, and the pattern shows up early. Be wary of anyone who:

• moves the conversation to WhatsApp, Telegram or email within a message or two
• always has a reason not to video call or meet
• tells a hard-luck story that ends in money, gift cards, crypto or an "investment"
• asks for intimate photos quickly, especially with your face in them
• threatens to tell a partner, employer or family if you stop replying

If any of that happens, stop replying, report the profile through the members help centre, and never send money. In Ireland, report fraud or blackmail to any Garda station and call your bank at once; in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, use Report Fraud; in Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101. The romance scams and sextortion guide walks through it.

Before you pay: a five-minute check

Five minutes before you pay saves most of the problems people complain about afterwards:

1. Browse first. Look at who is on the network near you with a free account before deciding it's worth paying.
2. Read the plan. Note the price, the currency and how long it lasts before it renews.
3. Check the billing name shown at checkout, so you'll recognise the charge.
4. Put the renewal date in your calendar, with a reminder two days before.
5. Know how to stop. Settings > Billing cancels renewal; avatar > Settings > Delete Account removes your profile.

What we don't claim

We don't publish member numbers, success stories or testimonials, and we don't claim that profiles are checked. We don't say any particular kind of person is waiting for you near you. If a site promises that, it's selling, not informing.

How to leave if it isn't for you

Leaving takes two steps, and doing both is the cleanest exit. First, cancel renewal in Settings > Billing so no further payments are taken. Then delete your profile at avatar > Settings > Delete Account, which removes it from the shared network rather than leaving it visible. If you set up a separate email address for dating, close that last, once any confirmation emails have arrived. Account help has the step-by-step version.

Who it suits, and who it doesn't

It may suit you if you want somewhere discreet to explore at your own pace, you like reading the guides before you act, and you're happy to look around for free before deciding whether to pay.

It probably won't suit you if you want every member's identity checked, you'd rather not have your profile visible on partner sites, or you know you'll forget to cancel a renewing payment.

Should you join?

It's free to look, so the sensible way to decide is to browse first and pay only if you see people you'd like to talk to. A short first membership tells you more than a long one you might forget to cancel. Before you do, read staying safe on Olivia Raven and work through the privacy checklist for women before you upload a photo.