The web hosting industry is currently growing fast, but so are the scams. The sad part is that so many people are falling victim to web hosting scams.
If you are planning to launch a website, or are already running one, it is important to first understand these scams as a means of protecting yourself.
We are going to walk you through the 10 most common web hosting scams, how they work, and how to avoid them.
Because when it comes to your online presence, choosing the wrong host can cost you everything.
The Unlimited Everything Lie
Many hosting providers, particularly in India promise unlimited bandwidth, storage, or website. While the deal might sound like a dream come true, most of these offers come with hidden limits that are usually buried under terms and conditions.
Once your site starts using too many resources, the host may slow down your performance or even suspend your account. These limits are often referred to as fair usage policies, and honestly they’re far from fair.
To avoid falling for this, look for hosts that are upfront about resource caps and upgrade paths.
Providers like Truehost clearly state what you get and what happens if your usage grows.
Too-Cheap-To-Be-True Hosting Plans
Without a doubt, low prices can be super tempting, especially if you are on a tight budget. In many cases though, those ₹49/month hosting deals come with unpleasant surprises.
You might find out that basics like email accounts, backups and SSL certificates are not included. Meaning you have to pay extra for them later. Worst case scenario, you get locked into a long-term contract with no easy way out.
All in all, don’t just look at the price tag. Check what is actually included and how much you will be paying after the first year.
Paid Reviews That Mislead You
At some point, we have ever googled “best web hosting in India” and what followed was a list or review blogs recommending the same 5-10 providers.
The truth is though, many of those reviews are sponsored. Some of the bloggers and influencers promote hosts they have never even used just because they are earning a commission for referrals.
What you are going to do though is take reviews with a grain of salt. It would also be wise to check forums like Reddit, Trustpilot and Quora for a more genuine user feedback.
Domain Ownership Blackmail
Domain blackmail is like handing someone the keys to your house, only to have them change the locks. That is exactly what some shady hosting providers do with your domain.
They ask, sometimes pressure, you to transfer your domain to them before activating your hosting. Once it’s in their hands, getting it back becomes a nightmare.
They start hiking up renewal prices, delaying transfers or outright blocking you from moving on to a better host. Suddenly the domain name you worked so hard to secure is no longer fully yours.
What to do instead is register a domain through a reliable and independent domain registrar and make sure that the registration details are in your name.
A transparent hosting provider will happily let you point your domain to their servers without demanding a transfer. If they insist otherwise, walk away.
The Illusion of 24/7 Support
The sound of 24/7 customer support is comforting. It means someone has your back round the clock. Try reaching them though when your site crashes at wee hours of the night. You will probably get a chatbot, a ticket number and then silence. Maybe a copy-paste answer eight hours later after your site has been down all night.
Many hosts usually just slap the 24/7 label on their homepage because it sells. They probably don’t have enough people on the call. And in emergencies, you are left stranded, waiting for someone who never picks up.
To avoid this frustration, always test the waters first before signing up. Message the providers support team at weird hours. Use live chat, email or try calling. The way they treat potential customers says a lot about how they treat paying ones when things go wrong.
No Backups, No Mercy
Imagine pouring weeks or even months into building your website. You have changed every detail, upload content, built pages and maybe you’ve even started getting visitors.
Then boom! Something breaks. You panic and reach out to your host for help and get hit with the worst: backups? Only available if you paid for that as an add-on.
This is the trap many people fall into. Hosts quietly leave backup services out of the basic plan, knowing most users won’t think about it until disaster strikes. And by then? It’s already too late.
Don’t wait for the worst to happen. Look for a hosting provider that includes automatic daily backups without charging extra. And make sure you can easily restore those backups yourself. You shouldn’t have to beg to get your own data back.
Hidden Renewal Shocks
That super low price in your first year of hosting? It’s not the whole story. Many providers hook you with a cheap intro deal, then quietly hike the price once the renewal rolls around. You don’t get an alert, no reminder, just a surprise bill that’s two to ten times higher.
The trap here isn’t just the price jump. It’s that by the time you notice, your site is already live, your files are stored on their servers, and too deep in to switch providers easily.
Be smart and check the actual renewal cost, not just the flashy discount. A trustworthy host will show both up front without making you dig for it.
Your Site, Held Hostage
You want to move your site to a better host, but your current provider refuses to give you access to your files or cPanel. Or they charge extra to release your own content.
Yes, this really happens, and it’s more common than you’d think.
Go with providers that give you full access to your website files, emails, and control panel from day one. It’s your data, you should always have control. If they’re holding anything hostage, run.
Resellers Pretending to Be Real Hosts
Not every hosting company is what they seem. A lot of small “hosts” are just middlemen, resellers buying space from larger companies and rebranding it as their own.
On its own, that’s not a crime. But if they’re not upfront about it or can’t provide quality support, it becomes a mess.
Here’s what usually happens: You face an issue, contact your host, and they pass the blame to the parent provider. Meanwhile, you’re stuck waiting, with no clear answer and no real help.
Ask if they own their servers. Ask who handles infrastructure. Reputable providers like Truehost are the real deal, they manage their own platforms and offer direct accountability.
Fake Uptime Guarantees
You’ll see it plastered everywhere, 99.9% uptime guaranteed. But here’s the truth: it’s mostly smoke and mirrors.
That number sounds close to perfect, but it still means hours of downtime every year and sometimes way more than they admit. Worse? Some hosts throw this number out with no tracking system to prove it.
When your site goes down, there’s no alert, no apology, just lost traffic and frustrated visitors.
And don’t count on compensation either. Many of these hosts don’t offer a service-level agreement (SLA), so they’re never held accountable.
How to protect yourself: Choose a host that’s transparent about uptime, one that shows real-time stats and backs promises with an SLA. If they’re serious about your website, they’ll have the receipts to prove it.
So, How Do You Avoid These Web Hosting Scams?
The good news? You don’t need to be a tech expert to avoid web hosting scams. All it takes is a little awareness and knowing what to look out for.
Here’s a quick checklist to guide you:
- Read all pricing details, including renewals
- Ask what’s included: SSL, backups, support, etc.
- Test their customer support response time
- Look for genuine reviews from real users
- Avoid domain transfer traps
- Make sure you always control your own data
Why People Trust Truehost
At Truehost, we’ve seen how damaging web hosting scams can be, and we’ve made it our mission to do things differently.
When you host with us, you get:
- Honest, transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- Free SSL certificates and backups included
- Real 24/7 customer support from real humans
- Full access and control over your files and domains
- Easy cancellation, upgrades, or plan changes
No matter what kind of website you’re creating, we ensure a secure, straightforward, and scam-free experience.
Final Thoughts
Web hosting scams are not only frustrating but can also set your entire online journey back by weeks or even months. Good thing you now have something to look out for, and that makes you one step ahead of the game.
Take your time, ask questions, test the waters and finally pick a host that feels like home to you.
If you are ready to build with confidence, take a look at Truehost’s hosting plans today and take the next step, without the worry.
