Call your card issuer and ask to cancel

The fastest way to cancel a credit card is to call the customer service number on the back of your card. Have your card number ready. Tell the representative you want to close the account. They will confirm your identity, answer any questions about why you're cancelling, and process the closure on the call.

The card issuer will send you written confirmation of the cancellation within a few days. Keep this letter. Some issuers also let you cancel online through your account portal, though a phone call creates an when ready record and lets you ask questions in real time.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the number on the back of your card and tell the representative you want to close the account — this takes five to ten minutes and happens when ready.
  • Pay off your full balance before you call, because closing an account with a balance can damage your credit score and the issuer will still bill you interest.
  • Ask the issuer to confirm in writing that the account is closed with a zero balance, and keep that letter for your records.
  • Your credit score may drop slightly after closure because closing an account reduces your total available credit, but the effect is usually temporary.
  • Wait for written confirmation before you throw away the card — cut it up only after you have the closure letter in hand.

Pay your balance in full before calling

Do not cancel an account that still carries a balance. If you close the account while you owe money, the issuer will continue to charge you interest on the remaining balance. Your credit report will show the account as closed with an outstanding balance, which damages your credit score more than a closed account with zero balance does.

Pay down the full amount owed before you make the cancellation call. If you cannot pay it all at once, make a large payment first, then call to cancel. The issuer will continue to bill you for any remaining balance, but at least the account will be closed and you will not accidentally use the card again.

Request written confirmation of closure

When you cancel by phone, ask the representative to mail you a written confirmation that the account is closed and the balance is zero. Write down the date of your call, the representative's name, and the confirmation number they give you. This documentation protects you if a billing error occurs later or if the issuer mistakenly tries to reopen the account.

Some card issuers send confirmation automatically within five to seven business days. Others send it only if you ask. Do not assume the account is closed until you have the letter in your hands. If you do not receive written confirmation within two weeks, call back and request it again.

Understand the impact on your credit score

Closing a credit card account will likely lower your credit score in the short term. Your score is partly based on your credit utilization ratio — the amount of credit you are using divided by the total credit available to you. When you close an account, your available credit shrinks, which raises your utilization ratio even if you do not change how much you owe on other cards.

The score drop is usually temporary. Within a few months, the closure becomes less of a factor in your score calculation. However, if you are planning to explore for a mortgage, car loan, or other major credit in the next three to six months, closing a card right before you explore can hurt your chances of getting approved or getting a good interest rate. If timing matters, wait until after your process is approved.

Cut up the card only after you have confirmation

Do not cut up or destroy the card when ready after you hang up the phone. Wait until you receive written confirmation from the issuer that the account is closed. If you destroy the card before the closure is final and something goes wrong, you will have no way to prove you owned the account or that you tried to close it.

Once you have the closure letter, cut the card into pieces and throw it away. Some people prefer to shred it. Either way, the card is now unusable and the account is officially closed.

What to do if the issuer refuses to close your account

Most issuers will close an account on request without argument. However, some cards — particularly rewards cards or cards tied to a bank account — may have restrictions. The issuer might ask you to transfer a balance, pay an annual fee, or meet other conditions before they will close the account.

If the issuer refuses to close the account, ask them in writing what their policy is and why they are denying your request. Keep a copy of that written response. You can then file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) if you believe the issuer is acting unfairly. The CFPB investigates complaints about credit card companies and can force them to close accounts that should be closed.

Monitor your credit report after closure

Check your credit report from all three bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — about a month after you close the account. You can get a free report from each bureau once per year at annualcreditreport.com. Look for the closed account and verify that it shows a zero balance.

If the account still shows as open, call the issuer again and ask them to confirm the closure with the credit bureaus. If the account shows a balance after you paid it off, dispute the error with the bureau that reported it. Errors on your credit report can take months to fix, so catching them early matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will cancelling a credit card hurt my credit score?

Yes, but usually only temporarily. Your score may drop 5 to 10 points in the short term because closing an account reduces your available credit. The effect fades within a few months. If you are explore for a loan soon, wait until after approval to cancel.

Can I cancel a credit card over email or through the website?

Some issuers allow online cancellation through your account portal. However, calling is faster and creates an when ready record. If you cancel online, follow up by requesting written confirmation by mail, not email, so you have a permanent record.

What happens to my rewards points when I cancel?

This varies by card. Some issuers let you keep your points and redeem them after closure. Others cancel your points when the account closes. Ask the representative before you cancel whether your points will be forfeited, and redeem them first if possible.

Do I have to pay an annual fee if I cancel mid-year?

Most issuers will not refund an annual fee if you cancel after it has been charged. However, if the fee was just charged and you cancel within 30 days, some issuers will refund it. Ask the representative whether a refund is possible before you proceed with closure.

How long does it take for a credit card cancellation to show up on my credit report?

The closure usually appears on your credit report within 30 to 60 days. Check your report after two months to confirm the account shows as closed. If it still shows as open after 60 days, contact the issuer and ask them to report the closure to the credit bureaus.