A charge labeled “SP Fahlo” on your card statement is a purchase from Fahlo, an online retailer that sells animal tracking bracelets, with the “SP” prefix added because the store processes payments through Shopify Payments. The charge is almost always legitimate, even when you don’t remember making it, because the formatting hides the merchant name behind the processor’s initials.
What the SP Prefix Means
Shopify Payments is the built-in checkout system used by stores built on the Shopify platform. When a merchant uses it instead of its own merchant account, your bank sees Shopify as the payment facilitator and adds “SP” in front of the store’s name. The store name still follows the prefix, but the combination doesn’t look like a company you remember buying from, which is why the charge reads as unfamiliar at first glance.
Why Fahlo Is on Your Statement
Fahlo sells bracelets that come with a code letting you follow a real animal’s movements on a 3D map, and the company donates a portion of profits to wildlife conservation nonprofits. A single bracelet currently runs about $16.95 before shipping and any applicable sales tax. If your charge sits in that range, it points to one bracelet.
If the same amount hits your card every month, you probably signed up for the Fahlo Monthly Club, a subscription that ships a new bracelet and tracking experience each month. Promotional sign-ups during a campaign are a common source of forgotten recurring charges.
One quirk catches some buyers off guard. If your card issuer treats Fahlo’s processing as an international transaction, a foreign transaction fee of roughly 1 to 3 percent may appear separately from the purchase itself. That second line item can look like a duplicate charge when it isn’t.
Check These Before You Dispute
Chargebacks are a last resort. Banks take them seriously, merchants can contest them, and the process drags out. Work through the simpler explanations first.
- Ask household members. Shared cards, saved payment methods on family devices, and gift purchases account for most mystery Fahlo charges. Bracelets are popular around holidays and birthdays.
- Search every inbox you use, including spam folders, for order confirmations from Fahlo or Shopify. The subject line usually reads “Order confirmed” with an order number.
- Match the amount. A charge near $16.95 suggests a single bracelet. A recurring monthly charge suggests an active Club subscription.
- Email support@myfahlo.com with the transaction date, amount, and last four digits of the card charged. Give them at least a week to respond before escalating.
Canceling a Club Fahlo Subscription
There is no self-service cancellation button in your account dashboard. To stop a recurring Club Fahlo charge, email support@myfahlo.com and request cancellation directly.1Fahlo. Frequently Asked Questions Include your name, the email address tied to your order, and the word “cancel” in the subject line. If you can’t remember which email you signed up with, try a password reset on Fahlo’s site with each address you own until one works.
Keep every email you send and receive. If a charge posts after you’ve requested cancellation, that written trail is what your bank will ask for in a dispute.
Returning a Bracelet
Fahlo accepts returns within 30 days of purchase, but the conditions are strict. The item must be unused, in the same condition you received it, and in its original packaging, and you need proof of purchase. After 30 days, Fahlo will not accept returns, refunds, or exchanges for any reason.2Fahlo. Refund Policy
Two cost details matter. Your original shipping is non-refundable, and you pay return shipping yourself. If you do receive a refund, Fahlo deducts the return shipping cost from the refund amount. On a $16.95 bracelet, shipping in both directions can consume most of what you’d get back.2Fahlo. Refund Policy
Disputing the Charge With Your Bank
If Fahlo doesn’t respond, or if you genuinely never made the purchase, the next step is a billing dispute with your card issuer under the Fair Credit Billing Act. You have 60 days from the date your issuer sends the statement containing the charge to submit the dispute. Miss that window and you lose your federal dispute rights.3Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 15 USC 1666 – Correction of Billing Errors
The dispute must be in writing and sent to your card issuer’s billing inquiries address, not the general customer service address. A note written on the payment stub doesn’t count. Your letter needs your name and account number, the dollar amount you believe is wrong, and a brief explanation of the error. Copies of any emails you sent to Fahlo strengthen the case.3Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 15 USC 1666 – Correction of Billing Errors
Once your issuer receives your written notice, federal law requires them to acknowledge it within 30 days. They then have two full billing cycles, and no more than 90 days total, to investigate and resolve the dispute. During the investigation, the creditor cannot try to collect the disputed amount or report it as delinquent.4Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Regulation Z 1026.13 – Billing Error Resolution Some issuers issue a temporary credit while they investigate, but they aren’t required to. If the investigation confirms the charge was unauthorized or erroneous, that credit becomes permanent.
Fahlo Purchases Are Not Tax-Deductible
Fahlo is a for-profit retailer, not a registered charity. The company says it donates 10 percent of profits to nonprofit conservation partners, but your purchase is a standard retail transaction. You cannot deduct it as a charitable contribution. If you want a deductible donation, give directly to one of the conservation nonprofits and get a receipt from them.