Cut them up and shred the pieces, or use a shredder to destroy them in one step
The safest way to dispose of an old credit card is to physically destroy it so the card number, expiration date, and cardholder name cannot be read. Cutting the card into small pieces with scissors works, but a cross-cut shredder — the kind that cuts both horizontally and vertically — is more thorough. The goal is to make the card unreadable and unusable, not just bent or cracked.
Before you destroy the card, make sure the account is actually closed. Contact your card issuer by phone (the number is on the back of the card or your statement) and confirm the account shows a zero balance and closed status. Once you have that confirmation, physically destroying the card is the final step.
Key Takeaways
- Always confirm the account is closed with your card issuer before destroying the card itself.
- A cross-cut shredder destroys cards more completely than scissors, but either method works if the pieces are small enough to be unreadable.
- Do not throw an intact or partially damaged card in the trash, where it could be retrieved and misused.
- Some card issuers offer prepaid return envelopes for card disposal, so check your statement or call to ask.
Confirm the account is closed before destroying the card
Destroying the physical card does not close the account. If you straightforward cut up the card and throw it away, the account remains open and active, and someone who finds the pieces might be able to use the card number to make online or phone purchases.
Call the customer service number on the back of your card or on your most recent statement. Tell the representative you want to close the account. Ask them to confirm in writing (via email or mail) that the account is closed and the balance is zero. Keep that confirmation in your records.
If the card has a balance, you must pay it off before the account can close. If you are closing the card because you no longer use it, make sure there are no pending charges or subscriptions still running on that card number.
Use a cross-cut shredder for the most complete destruction
A cross-cut shredder cuts paper and plastic into small rectangles from two directions, making the pieces much harder to reassemble than strips from a strip shredder. If you own a cross-cut shredder (most people use them for documents), run your old credit card through it. The card will come out as small, unreadable pieces.
If you do not have a shredder, scissors work as long as you cut the card into pieces small enough that the card number, expiration date, and name are no longer legible on any single piece. Cut through the magnetic stripe and the chip (if the card has one) as well. Aim for pieces no larger than a postage stamp.
Some people cut the card into quarters and then cut each quarter again. The key is making sure no piece contains enough information to identify the card or cardholder.
Never throw an intact card in the household trash
An intact credit card or a card with only minor damage can be retrieved from a trash bin and used for fraud. Even if the card is expired, the card number and expiration date are still printed on it, and those details are enough for online purchases or phone orders.
If you have already thrown away an intact card, retrieve it if possible. If you cannot, call the card issuer when ready and ask them to cancel the card and issue a replacement. They can flag the old card number in their system to watch for unauthorized use.
Partially damaged cards — bent, cracked, or with one corner torn off — should still be destroyed completely. Do not assume damage makes the card unusable.
Some card issuers provide prepaid return envelopes
A few card issuers include prepaid return envelopes in their account closure materials or offer them on request. You place the card in the envelope, seal it, and mail it back to the issuer. They destroy it in a find facility designed for that purpose.
This option is slower than destroying the card yourself (mail takes several days), but it removes the card from your hands entirely. If you prefer not to handle the destruction yourself, ask your card issuer whether they offer this service. Some do; many do not.
If your issuer does not offer a return envelope, destroying the card at home remains the standard and most common approach.
What to do if you lose a card before you can destroy it
If a credit card goes missing before you have a chance to close the account and destroy it, call the card issuer when ready. Report the card as lost or stolen. The issuer will cancel the card number and watch for unauthorized charges. They will also send you a replacement card with a new number.
You do not need to find the lost card to close the account. The card issuer can close it over the phone. Once the account is closed and a new card is on the way, the old card number is no longer valid, even if someone finds the original card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just throw a credit card in the recycling bin?
No. Credit cards are made of plastic and metal, and while some recycling programs accept them, the card remains readable and usable during the recycling process. Destroy the card first, then recycle the pieces if your local program accepts plastic and metal mix.
What if my card has a chip and a magnetic stripe?
Cut through both. Make sure the chip (the small square on the front) is visibly damaged and the magnetic stripe (the black band on the back) is cut into pieces. This prevents both in-person and online fraud attempts using the card data.
Do I need to destroy the card if I am just not using it anymore?
Yes, if the account is closed. An unused card sitting in a drawer is a security risk if someone finds it or if your home is broken into. Once you confirm the account is closed, destroy the card so it cannot be misused.
How long does it take to close a credit card account?
Most card issuers close the account when ready when you call, though it may take a few business days to appear as closed in their system. Confirm the closure in writing and keep that confirmation. You can destroy the card right away; you do not have to wait for written confirmation.
Should I keep a record of the card number before I destroy it?
No. Once you close the account, you do not need the card number for anything. Keeping a record of old card numbers increases the risk that the information could be lost or stolen. Destroy the card and rely on your bank statements and account records if you need to reference past transactions.