The right way to destroy a credit card before throwing it away
Throwing a credit card in the trash whole is a security risk — the card number, expiration date, and CVV remain readable and can be used by someone who finds it. The safest approach is to cut the card into pieces, making sure to destroy the magnetic stripe and chip, then throw the pieces in separate trash bags or bins. Some people shred cards along with other documents; others cut them by hand. The goal is the same: make the card unusable and the number unreadable.
This matters even for expired cards and cards you've already closed. A card sitting in a drawer or a junk drawer is still a card someone could theoretically recover and attempt to use. Taking five minutes to destroy it removes that risk entirely.
Key Takeaways
- Cut the card into at least four pieces, making sure to cut through the magnetic stripe and the chip on both sides.
- Throw the pieces into separate trash bags or bins so no single piece contains enough information to be useful.
- A paper shredder works if you have one, but hand-cutting with scissors is just as effective and requires no special equipment.
- Destroy the card before you throw it away, whether the card is expired, closed, or still active.
- If your card was lost or stolen, contact your card issuer when ready rather than waiting to destroy it yourself.
Cutting by hand: the most common method
Most people cut their cards with scissors. Use a sturdy pair — kitchen scissors or craft scissors work better than dull office scissors. Cut the card into at least four pieces. The most important cuts are through the magnetic stripe (the black band on the back) and through the chip (the metallic square on the front, if the card has one). These are the parts that actually store or process your information.
After cutting, you can throw the pieces in your regular trash. Some people prefer to throw pieces into different trash bags or bins on different days, but this is optional — once the card is cut into pieces, the risk is already very low. A person would need to find all the pieces, reassemble them, and then attempt to use the card, which is impractical.
Using a shredder or other methods
If you have a paper shredder at home, you can run the card through it. Most home shredders will handle plastic cards without damage to the machine. This is faster than cutting by hand if you have multiple cards to destroy.
Some people soak cards in water to soften the plastic, then cut them. Others burn them, though this creates fumes and is not necessary — cutting is safer and just as effective. A few banks and credit card companies offer mail-back programs where you can send old cards to them for destruction, though this is less common than it used to be. Check your card's website or call the customer service number on the back to ask whether your issuer has this option.
What to do with cards you've closed or no longer use
When you close a credit card account, the card itself becomes useless — the issuer deactivates it, and merchants' machines will reject it. You still should destroy it rather than keep it in a drawer. A closed card is still a card, and the number is still printed on it. Destroying it removes any possibility of misuse, even though the account is no longer active.
If you have multiple old cards from closed accounts, destroy them all at once. Cut them, shred them, or use whichever method you prefer. There is no reason to keep a closed card after you've confirmed the account is closed and you have no remaining balance.
If your card was lost or stolen
If your card goes missing, contact your card issuer when ready by calling the number on your statement or your online account. Do not wait to see if fraudulent charges appear. The issuer will deactivate the card right away, and you are not responsible for unauthorized charges made after you report the loss.
Once the card is deactivated, you do not need to destroy it yourself — the card is already useless. However, if you later find it, you can destroy it for peace of mind. If you never find it, there is no action needed beyond the initial call to report it.
Protecting yourself during the disposal process
When you cut a card, you are handling a piece of plastic with your account number on it. This is fine — you own the card and you are destroying it. The risk only exists if someone else finds the card before you destroy it.
Do not photograph your card before destroying it, and do not post photos of cards online even as a joke. Do not leave a card sitting on a desk or counter for days before destroying it. The sooner you cut it up after you stop using it, the better. If you are destroying multiple cards, do it all at once rather than spreading it out over weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just bend a credit card and throw it away?
Bending a card does not destroy the information on it. The card number, expiration date, and CVV remain readable and intact. You need to cut or shred the card to make the number unreadable. Cutting it into pieces is the minimum standard.
Do I need to destroy a card if I've already closed the account?
Yes. A closed account means the card will not work if someone tries to use it, but the card number is still printed on the plastic. Destroying the card removes any possibility of the number being misused, even though the account is inactive. It takes five minutes and eliminates the risk entirely.
What if I cut the card but some pieces still show part of the number?
This is fine. A partial number is not useful — merchants and online systems require the full number, expiration date, and CVV to process a transaction. As long as no single piece contains all four of these elements, you are safe. Most people cut the card into four pieces, which naturally separates this information.
Should I destroy the card before or after I receive a replacement?
Wait until you receive and set up your replacement card, then destroy the old one. This way you know your new card is working before you get rid of the old one. Once you have confirmed the new card works, cut up the old card when ready.
Is it safe to throw cut-up card pieces in my regular trash?
Yes. Once the card is cut into pieces, the information is no longer readable or usable. You can throw the pieces in your regular household trash. Some people prefer to distribute pieces across multiple trash days or bins, but this is optional — the risk is already eliminated once the card is cut.