A charge reading “SOS SELF DEFENSE TOOL” on your credit card or bank statement is a $67 monthly subscription billed by Science of Skill, LLC, an Ohio company that sells self-defense training and a monthly knife club. It almost always traces back to a “free” knife, flag, or t-shirt offer you paid a small shipping fee for, which enrolled you in a 14-day trial that converted to the paid membership. To stop it, cancel with the company by phone or email, and if that fails, dispute the charge with your card issuer within 60 days of the first statement it appeared on.
Where the Charge Comes From
The subscription behind the charge is a membership program Science of Skill markets under several names, including the National Self-Reliance Initiative, the “Patriot Society,” and the “Knife of the Month Club.” The path in is consistent: you see an ad for a free item, pay roughly $7.95 to $9.95 in shipping, and that order enrolls you in a 14-day free trial. On day 15, a $67 charge posts. It then repeats every 30 days.1SOS Self Defense Tool. FAQ
The company describes the membership as including a monthly “premium blade,” more than 20 hours of on-demand training courses, and member pricing on gear. Digital access ends the moment you cancel.1SOS Self Defense Tool. FAQ
If your statement shows $57 instead of $67, the charge likely comes from a related entity, Survival Constitution, LLC, which runs a similar promotional funnel under the National Self-Reliance Initiative name at the lower price. That entity has drawn 382 BBB complaints of its own, 132 involving billing.2Better Business Bureau. Survival Constitution LLC Complaints Some statements may also read “Science of Skill, LLC” rather than the SOS descriptor.1SOS Self Defense Tool. FAQ
How To Cancel
Science of Skill lists two direct ways to cancel and request a refund, plus a self-service portal on its website:
- Phone: +1 (985) 791-0490, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern. The company says phone requests are handled immediately.
- Email: support@sosselfdefensetool.com. The company says it responds within 12 hours and a support agent will confirm the cancellation.
- Website portal: The company advertises a self-service cancellation option and states there are “no contracts, no tricks, and no obligation to stay.”3SOS Self Defense Tool. Customer Care
The refund policy is a “30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee” that covers up to one month of subscription payments, described as “no questions asked.” The company states it will not refund more than 30 days of subscription payments for the same program.1SOS Self Defense Tool. FAQ Keep a written record of the cancellation, including the date, method, and any confirmation you receive.
Consumers regularly report that cancellation is harder than the company describes. BBB complaints describe unanswered phone calls, automated messages with no path to a live representative, ignored emails, and charges that keep posting after cancellation requests. Some consumers have reported canceling their credit cards to end the billing.4Better Business Bureau. Science of Skill LLC Complaints
How To Dispute the Charge With Your Bank
If the company will not stop the charges or refund you, you can dispute the charge with your card issuer under the Fair Credit Billing Act. Federal law caps personal liability for unauthorized credit card charges at $50, and many issuers reduce that to zero.5Federal Trade Commission. Using Credit Cards and Disputing Charges
- Act within 60 days. Your written dispute must reach the card issuer within 60 days of the statement date on which the charge first appeared.6Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. How Do I Dispute a Charge on My Credit Card Bill
- Write to the billing inquiries address on your statement, not the payment address. Include your name, account number, and a description of the charge you’re disputing, with copies of any supporting documents.
- Send it certified mail with a return receipt so you have proof of delivery.
- Withhold payment on the disputed amount while the investigation is pending. Pay the rest of the bill.
The issuer must acknowledge your complaint within 30 days and resolve it within 90 days. While the investigation is pending, the issuer cannot report the disputed amount as delinquent or send it to collections.5Federal Trade Commission. Using Credit Cards and Disputing Charges
One caution: once you file a bank dispute, the company may refuse to process a direct refund. In at least one BBB complaint, Science of Skill told a customer who had already filed a chargeback that they “must go through the dispute process” instead.7Better Business Bureau. Science of Skill LLC Complaints, Page 2 Choose one route at a time.
Why This Keeps Happening
Science of Skill, LLC holds an F rating from the Better Business Bureau, is not BBB-accredited, and averages 1 out of 5 stars across customer reviews.8Better Business Bureau. Science of Skill LLC Profile The company has drawn 145 complaints over the last three years, 47 of which the BBB categorizes as billing issues. New complaints were still being filed as recently as June 2026.4Better Business Bureau. Science of Skill LLC Complaints
The BBB has flagged the company with a “Pattern of Complaints” alert, a designation applied when the bureau identifies a recurring trend of similar grievances. The pattern is the same story: a consumer orders a low-cost promotional item, discovers unexpected recurring charges of $57 or $67, struggles to reach the company, and files a formal complaint or bank chargeback.8Better Business Bureau. Science of Skill LLC Profile
The company maintains its subscription terms are “prominently disclosed on both our main offer page and the final checkout screen.”9Better Business Bureau. National Self-Reliance Initiative Complaints Many complainants say they saw no mention of a subscription when they placed their order. If you’re one of them, the 60-day dispute clock is the deadline that matters most; check every statement since the promo purchase to catch each recurring charge before it ages out of that window.