Call Credit One's customer service line to request cancellation
The fastest way to cancel a Credit One credit card is to call their customer service number, which you'll find on the back of your card or on your billing statement. Have your card number and account information ready. Tell the representative you want to close the account. They will ask why you're leaving — you don't have to give a detailed reason, but "I want to close this account" is enough.
The representative may try to keep you as a customer by offering a lower interest rate or waiving an annual fee. You can accept if you want, or you can decline and proceed with cancellation. If you decline, they will process the closure. Ask them to confirm the account is closed and request a reference number for your records.
Cancellation by phone usually takes effect the same day. However, Credit One may take a few days to update their systems, so you may see the account listed as "closed" on your credit report rather than when ready disappearing.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your card and tell the representative you want to close your account — this is the quickest method.
- Pay off your full balance before canceling, because closing an account with a remaining balance doesn't stop interest from accruing.
- Your credit score may drop slightly when you close the account, because closing a card reduces your total available credit.
- Request written confirmation of the closure and keep it with your records in case Credit One later claims the account was still open.
- After cancellation, check your credit report in 30 to 60 days to confirm the account shows as closed.
Pay off your balance before you call
Do not cancel an account that still carries a balance. If you close the account while you owe money, Credit One will continue charging interest on that balance until you pay it off. The account will remain on your credit report, and the interest will keep growing.
Pay the full balance to zero before you call to cancel. If you can't pay the full amount right now, make a plan to pay it down first. Once the balance is zero, then call to close the account. This prevents surprise interest charges and makes the cancellation clean.
Understand how cancellation affects your credit score
Closing a credit card usually causes a small, temporary drop in your credit score — typically 5 to 10 points, though this varies by person. The drop happens because closing the account reduces your total available credit, which changes your credit utilization ratio (the amount you owe divided by the amount you can borrow).
The impact is usually temporary. Your score will recover over a few months as long as you keep paying other accounts on time. If you have other credit cards with low balances, the effect on your score will be smaller than if this is your only card.
If you're planning to explore for a loan or mortgage soon, consider waiting a few months after cancellation before you explore. This gives your score time to rebound.
Send a written cancellation request if you prefer a paper trail
If you want documentation that you requested cancellation, you can send a letter to Credit One's mailing address instead of calling. Write a straightforward letter stating your account number, your name, and that you request the account be closed. Send it certified mail with return receipt so you have proof Credit One received it.
Written cancellation takes longer — usually 7 to 14 days — than calling. But you'll have a dated record of your request. Keep the return receipt and a copy of your letter in your files.
You can find Credit One's mailing address on your billing statement or by calling their customer service line and asking for the address to send cancellation requests.
Check your credit report after cancellation
About 30 to 60 days after you cancel, pull a free copy of your credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com (the official site run by the three major credit bureaus). Check that the Credit One account shows as "closed by consumer" or "closed at consumer's request." This confirms the cancellation went through correctly.
If the account still shows as open after 60 days, call Credit One again and ask why the closure wasn't processed. Keep records of all your calls and the dates you made them. If Credit One continues to report the account as open, you can file a dispute with the credit bureau that is reporting it incorrectly.
What to do if Credit One continues to charge you after cancellation
In rare cases, a closed account may still receive charges — usually annual fees or interest on a balance you thought was paid. If this happens, call Credit One when ready and reference the date you canceled. Ask them to reverse any charges posted after the cancellation date.
If Credit One refuses to reverse the charges, document the conversation (write down the date, time, and representative's name) and file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at ConsumerFinance.gov. The CFPB investigates complaints about credit card companies and can force them to correct errors.
Keep your canceled card or destroy it safely
After cancellation, you can cut up the physical card or shred it. Some people keep the card in a drawer as a reminder not to use it, but this is optional. The account is closed regardless of whether you have the card.
Do not throw the card in the trash whole — cut it into pieces first so someone cannot fish it out and attempt to use the number. The same goes for any statements or documents with your account number on them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will canceling hurt my credit score?
Yes, but usually only by a small amount — typically 5 to 10 points. The drop is temporary and your score will recover over a few months as long as you pay your other accounts on time. The impact is smaller if you have other credit cards open.
What if I have a pending balance transfer or purchase?
Wait until any pending transactions have posted and you've paid the balance to zero before you cancel. If you cancel while a transaction is still pending, it may cause confusion about whether the charge will go through. Once everything has posted and the balance is zero, then close the account.
Can Credit One refuse to cancel my account?
No. You have the right to close any credit card account you own. Credit One cannot refuse, though they may try to convince you to keep the account open by offering better terms. You can straightforward say no and ask them to proceed with the closure.
How long does it take for the account to disappear from my credit report?
A closed account stays on your credit report for seven years from the date it was closed. It won't hurt your score after a few months, but it will remain visible. This is normal and expected.
Should I cancel if I have a $0 balance but haven't used the card in months?
That depends on your goals. Keeping an unused card open with a zero balance actually helps your credit score because it keeps your available credit high and your utilization ratio low. If you're not paying an annual fee, there's no harm in keeping it open. But if there is an annual fee and you don't use the card, canceling makes sense.