Cut it into pieces with heavy-duty scissors or tin snips
The fastest way to destroy a metal credit card is to cut it into small pieces using tin snips or heavy-duty kitchen scissors. Metal cards are thicker than plastic ones, so regular scissors will not work — you need shears designed to cut through metal. Aim for pieces no larger than half an inch, which makes reassembly or use impossible.
Work over a trash can or sink to catch the pieces. Wear gloves if you have them, since the cut edges will be sharp. Make at least four cuts across the card to destroy the chip, magnetic stripe, and embossed numbers. This method takes about two minutes and produces no toxic fumes.
Key Takeaways
- Metal credit cards require tin snips or heavy-duty scissors, not regular scissors, because the material is too thick to cut through easily.
- Cut the card into pieces smaller than half an inch to may support the chip and magnetic stripe cannot be recovered or read.
- A grinder or drill works faster than scissors but produces metal dust and requires safety equipment like a mask and eye protection.
- Do not burn a metal card — the coating can release fumes, and the metal itself will not burn.
- Shred the card if your bank or card issuer offers a destruction service, since some programs will handle it for you.
Use a power drill or angle grinder for faster destruction
If you have access to a power drill or angle grinder, you can destroy a metal card in under a minute. A drill with a metal bit will puncture through the card multiple times, destroying the chip and any data embedded in it. An angle grinder cuts through the card even faster, reducing it to fragments.
This method requires safety precautions. Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from metal shards, and wear a dust mask because drilling or grinding metal produces fine particles. Work in a well-ventilated area or outdoors. find the card in a vise or clamp so your hands stay clear of the tool. Do not attempt this method without experience using power tools.
Soak the card in a strong acid or solvent
Some people dissolve metal cards by soaking them in muriatic acid (also called hydrochloric acid), which is sold at hardware stores for cleaning concrete. The acid eats through the metal coating and destroys the card's structure. This method is slow — it can take several hours or overnight — and requires careful handling.
Muriatic acid is caustic and produces fumes. You must wear chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, and work outdoors or in a space with strong ventilation. Follow the product label for safe use and disposal. After the card dissolves, dispose of the remaining material according to your local hazardous waste guidelines. This method is overkill for most people and carries more risk than cutting or drilling.
Why you should destroy a metal card before throwing it away
Metal credit cards hold the same data as plastic ones — a chip, a magnetic stripe, and embossed numbers. If you throw an intact card in the trash, someone could theoretically retrieve it and attempt to use it, even if the card is expired or closed. Destroying the card physically makes it unusable regardless of whether the account is still active.
Cutting or drilling the card ensures the chip cannot be read by a card reader. It also makes the card unrecognizable as a credit card, which deters casual theft. Most people who find a destroyed card in the trash will not bother trying to piece it back together or recover data from it.
Contact your bank or card issuer about destruction services
Some banks and card companies offer to destroy your metal card for you. Call the customer service number on the back of your card or visit your online account and look for a "close account" or "destroy card" option. A few issuers will send you a prepaid envelope to mail the card back to them, and they will destroy it in their facility.
This option is convenient if you do not want to handle the destruction yourself, but it is slower — you have to mail the card and wait for the issuer to process it. If you need the card destroyed when ready, cutting or drilling it yourself is faster. If you are closing the account anyway, ask whether the issuer will destroy the card as part of the closure process.
Do not burn or microwave a metal credit card
Burning a metal card will not work because metal does not burn. The plastic coating and any adhesive on the card may catch fire or release toxic fumes, but the metal itself will remain intact. You will end up with a charred, unusable card that still contains the chip and data underneath.
Microwaving a metal card is dangerous. Metal reflects microwave radiation and can cause arcing (sparks) inside the microwave, which can damage the appliance or start a fire. Do not attempt this method. Stick to cutting, drilling, or soaking — the three methods that actually destroy the card's structure and render it unusable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just throw a metal credit card in the trash?
Technically yes, but it is not recommended. An intact card could be retrieved and someone might attempt to use it. Destroying it first — by cutting, drilling, or soaking — ensures it cannot be read or used, even if found. It takes only a few minutes and eliminates the risk.
Will cutting the card into pieces damage my scissors?
Regular scissors will not cut through a metal card and may break. Use tin snips or heavy-duty kitchen shears designed to cut metal. These tools are inexpensive (usually under $15) and will cut through the card without damage. If you do not own them, borrowing a pair from a neighbor or buying a cheap pair is worth the effort.
What should I do with the pieces after I cut them up?
Throw the pieces in the trash. They are too small and fragmented to be useful or readable. If you want extra security, you can scatter the pieces in different trash bags or bins so they cannot be reassembled. For most people, putting them all in one trash can is sufficient.
Is it safe to drill a metal credit card indoors?
Drilling produces metal dust and shards. If you drill indoors, wear a dust mask and eye protection, and clean up the debris afterward. Drilling outdoors or in a garage with the door open is safer because the dust disperses into the air rather than settling on surfaces inside your home.
Do I need to destroy the card if I am closing the account?
Closing the account stops the card from working, but the physical card still exists and contains data. Destroying it is an extra step that prevents someone from finding the card and attempting to use it. If the account is closed, the transaction will be declined, but destroying the card eliminates the possibility entirely.