Contact us by clicking here, calling (914) 775-8862, or emailing us at case@wittelslaw.com.
Wittels McInturff Palikovic is investigating widespread complaints regarding HostPapa’s potentially deceptive practices of: (1) luring customers into auto-renewing subscriptions that dramatically increase in price upon completion of a teaser period; (2) adding unwanted services to customers subscription purchases; and (3) shutting down customers’ websites on the spurious basis of websites “using too many resources” and forcing customers to purchase more expensive plans to get their websites back.
Potentially Deceptive Autorenewal and Subscription Practices
Upon investigation, evidence suggests that HostPapa enrolls users in deceptive, automatically renewing subscription plans with no clear indication that their purchase will result in ongoing charges and no clear explanation that, upon autorenewal, the prices of those plans will dramatically increase. One frustrated consumer alleged, “BEWARE!!!!!” explaining that “I opted not to [renew], and they charged my car[]d – note, I never, ever gave consent to auto-renew – and then when I called to have it refunded, they didn’t…and they charged my card again! I’m now $1800[] short in the bank[.]” Another costumer alleged, “BUYER-BEWARE: This is a company that gets you in the door with cheap hosting and then after your term expires they increase the price 100-200% along with changing the term.” Alleges another, “Want to pay 2x more than stated? CHO[O]SE HOSTPAPA!” Another alleges not just unwanted autorenewal, but unwanted extra fees, stating “[b]ill will triple or quadruple in yr 2 with extra fees[.]”
Potentially Unlawful Website Shutdown Practices
Our firm’s investigation also reveals HostPapa’s potentially unlawful practice of limiting, without warning, the amount of space customers can use for their websites, and then holding customers’ websites hostage until the customer upgrades their plan. One customer alleged they “migrated my site Dec 2021 and then 2 months into the contract the company started limiting space and my site would not work properly. Then the company tried to extort me into paying more, for more space. I will never recommend this service again.” Another customer shared similar allegations: “HostPapa claimed that my websites were ‘using too many resources’, took them offline and began regularly suggesting/demanding that I pay more to upgrade my plan (which had worked fine for two years with the same level of traffic).” Another user alleges, “HostPapa just wants me to upgrade to an expensive plan. My blog website gets an average of less than 300 views a month, yet HostPapa has several times told me that I have exceeded my account’s resource limits. . . . When I've done the research, spent the time and made some of those changes, I just get another email from them that I'm using too many resources and threatening to shut down the site. The solution they suggest then is upgrading to an account many times more expensive. Turns out I fell for a well-known pattern -- you could call it a scam if you were the suspicious type -- when I signed a contract with HostPapa.”
HostPapa’s Practices May Violate the Law
Our investigation indicates that HostPapa’s policies may violate federal and/or state consumer protection and automatic renewal laws, including failure to clearly present renewal terms, obtain affirmative consent from consumers, and provide services promised to consumers under the HostPapa’s own terms of service. If you have been charged by HostPapa without your consent, forced to upgrade to a more expensive plan, or been denied a refund for unfair charges, you are not alone – and Wittels McInturff Palikovic can help determine whether you have a viable legal claim. Contact a class action attorney at WMP for a free case evaluation. If a lawsuit is filed, there is no cost or fee to join the case.
You can contact us by clicking here, calling (914) 775-8862, or emailing us at case@wittelslaw.com.