SQSP is Squarespace, the website builder platform
When you see "SQSP" on your credit card statement, it is a charge from Squarespace, the website hosting and design platform. Squarespace bills monthly for website plans, domain registration, email hosting, and add-on services. The charge appears as "SQSP" or "SQUARESPACE" depending on your card issuer and how much space they have to display the merchant name.
If you recognize the charge, it is a legitimate recurring subscription. If you do not recognize it, someone may have created a Squarespace account using your card, or your card details may have been used without your knowledge. The next sections walk you through confirming what the charge is for and how to stop it if you did not authorize it.
Key Takeaways
- SQSP charges are monthly or annual subscription fees from Squarespace for website hosting, domain names, or email services.
- You can log into your Squarespace account to see exactly which services are active and when the next charge is due.
- If you did not create the account, contact your card issuer when ready to report unauthorized use and request a chargeback.
- Cancelling a Squarespace subscription stops future charges but does not refund past ones unless you contact Squarespace support within a set window.
- If the charge is recent and you want a refund, reach out to Squarespace support before disputing it with your card issuer.
How to check what Squarespace services are on your account
Go to squarespace.com and click "Sign In" in the top right. Enter the email address and password associated with the account. If you do not remember the password, click "Forgot your password?" and follow the reset link sent to your email.
Once logged in, click your account icon (usually in the top right corner) and select "Account Settings" or "Billing" from the menu. You will see a list of all active subscriptions, the plan names, the billing date, and the amount charged each cycle. This page shows you exactly what you are paying for and when the next charge will hit.
If you do not recognize any of the services listed, or if you do not remember creating this account, move to the next section. If the services are yours but you no longer want them, skip to "How to cancel a Squarespace subscription."
What to do if you do not recognize the charge
If the SQSP charge is on your statement but you did not create a Squarespace account, your card information may have been compromised. Do not wait to see if it happens again.
Contact your credit card issuer's fraud department when ready. You can usually find the number on the back of your card or in your online banking portal. Tell them the charge is unauthorized and ask them to dispute it. Your issuer will reverse the charge and send you a new card. This process typically takes 7 to 10 business days, though you may receive a temporary credit sooner.
After reporting to your card issuer, also contact Squarespace support at squarespace.com/contact to report that an account was created with your card without your permission. Squarespace can flag the account and help prevent future charges. You do not need to log into the account to report it.
How to cancel a Squarespace subscription
Log into your Squarespace account and go to Account Settings or Billing (the exact path depends on your account type, but it is always under your account menu). Find the subscription you want to cancel and click "Cancel Subscription" or "Downgrade Plan."
Squarespace will ask you to confirm the cancellation and may offer you a discount to stay. If you proceed, the cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle. You will not be charged again, but you will keep access to your website and email until that date passes. After the cycle ends, your website goes offline and your email stops working unless you renew.
If you cancel mid-cycle, Squarespace does not refund the unused portion of your current billing period. However, if the charge is very recent (usually within 30 days, though this varies), you can contact Squarespace support and request a refund. They will review your account and may issue one as a courtesy. This is faster and more likely to succeed than disputing the charge with your card issuer.
How to prevent future unauthorized Squarespace charges
After you cancel, make sure your cancellation went through by checking your Billing page one more time. The subscription should no longer appear in your active list. If it still shows as active, try cancelling again or contact Squarespace support to confirm the cancellation was processed.
If your card was compromised, consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). This makes it harder for someone to open new accounts in your name. You can place a free fraud alert by calling one bureau; they will notify the other two automatically.
Going forward, review your credit card statement monthly and look for charges you do not recognize. The sooner you spot unauthorized activity, the sooner you can stop it and recover any money.
Squarespace billing cycles and when charges appear
Squarespace charges on the same day each month (or year, if you chose annual billing). The charge appears on your statement 1 to 3 business days after the billing date, depending on your card issuer's processing time. If you cancel mid-cycle, the charge for the next cycle will not appear.
If you downgrade to a cheaper plan instead of cancelling, Squarespace may issue a credit for the difference and charge you the lower amount on your next billing date. Check your account a few days after downgrading to confirm the new charge amount is correct.
Some Squarespace add-ons (like premium domains or extra email accounts) are billed separately and may appear as different line items on your statement. If you see multiple SQSP charges, log into your account to see which services each one covers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund for a Squarespace charge I did not authorize?
If the charge is recent (usually within 30 days), contact Squarespace support and explain that you did not authorize it. They may issue a refund. If they refuse or if the charge is older, contact your card issuer and dispute it as unauthorized. Your issuer will investigate and reverse the charge if they find it fraudulent.
What if I cancelled my Squarespace subscription but still got charged?
Log back into your account and check the Billing page to confirm the cancellation went through. If the subscription still shows as active, the cancellation may not have processed. Try cancelling again or contact Squarespace support with your billing date and the charge amount. They can manually cancel the subscription and issue a refund if the charge was recent.
Does cancelling my Squarespace website delete it when ready?
No. When you cancel, your website stays live until the end of your current billing cycle. After that date, your website goes offline and becomes inaccessible. If you want to keep your website but stop paying, you cannot — Squarespace does not offer a free tier for existing sites. You must either renew or let it expire.
How do I know if the SQSP charge is for a website or just a domain name?
Log into your Squarespace account and go to Billing. The page lists every active service: website hosting plans, domain registrations, email hosting, and add-ons. Each one shows the price and billing date. If you only see a domain name listed, you are paying for domain registration only, not website hosting.
Can I change my Squarespace billing date?
Squarespace does not allow you to change your billing date directly. Your billing date is set when you first purchase the subscription and stays the same each month. If you need to change it, you would have to cancel and repurchase on a different date, though this may result in losing any discount you had.