Hi everyone,

Out of all the forums I visit I think this forum is the most aproperate for this message.

I don't know about other countries but in Australia we have the TIO (Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman) which is an independent non-government scheme. It is not a consumer advocate, but rather a service to help consumers and telecommunications companies resolve disputes. This applies for internet connections, paytv and phone problems but it does not deal with web hosting.

Let's face it, some hosting companies have major problems. I myself have have used them and 50% of the time I either never hear from them again or never get what I paid for.

Is there any HIO (Hosting Industry Ombudsman) out there or could there be one setup to stop users/webmasters getting ripped off.

Only hours ago I have been blocked from access my database at hbhosting.com which has my entire work on it, due to the fact it's updated every day I don't have a recent backup. But the fact remains the host does not answer my emails, 3 faxes, phones or answering machine. I would like my information back and I can't even log into my ftp or phpmyadmin as there have either taken the server offline or blocked me.

I am angry with the way www.hbhosting.com do business.

But then again, they do adult gaming sites, so there used to ****ing their customers.

Not a happy customer. Something has to be done!

Hello Dean,

You could try the Better Business Bureau http://www.bbb.org

I don't think www.bbb.org could do anything in this case.

I have also just noticed that they allowed me to change my credit card number yesterday but today it's not an option in my controls anymore.

How do you stop a company using your credit card when you can't talk to them? and they don't want to listen!

Issue a chargeback

Originally posted by Myacen
Issue a chargeback
Buy what happens next month when they charge me again?
Another charge back, but when does it stop. Hbhosting need to stop charging me.

if they have any sense they'll stop charging you right away. There's a limit to chargebacks a merchant can wear before their provider will pull their account - usually around 1% or so. They should also get a chargeback fee along with losing that months charge, so if they keep it up they should be down the hole around $25 everytime they try to charge you.

I think chargebacks are the last resort you should try, but if you can't contact them, and they're using your money then it is an option.

Greg Moore