Call Credit One's customer service line to cancel your card
The fastest way to close a Credit One account is to call their customer service number on the back of your card. A representative will walk you through the cancellation process, confirm your account details, and process the closure on the spot. The call usually takes five to ten minutes.
Before you call, make sure your account balance is zero. If you still owe money, you'll need to pay it off first — Credit One won't close an account with an outstanding balance. Once the balance is paid, the representative will ask you to confirm your identity and the reason for closing. You don't have to give a detailed reason; "I'm closing the account" is enough.
After the call ends, ask the representative for a confirmation number and write it down. This gives you proof that you requested the closure. The account typically closes within a few business days, though it may take up to two weeks for the closure to show on your credit report.
Key Takeaways
- Pay your full balance to zero before calling to cancel, because Credit One will not close an account with money owed.
- Call the number on the back of your card and confirm your identity; the representative will process the closure when ready.
- Request and save a confirmation number so you have proof the cancellation was requested.
- The account will close within a few business days, though it may take up to two weeks to appear as closed on your credit report.
- Check your credit report a month after closure to confirm the account shows as closed and verify no unauthorized charges appear.
What happens to your credit score when you close the card
Closing a credit card can lower your credit score in the short term, usually by 5 to 10 points, because it reduces your total available credit. If you have other cards with balances, your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your total credit limit you're using — will go up, and higher utilization hurts your score.
The impact is temporary. Your score typically recovers within a few months as long as you keep other accounts in good standing and make on-time payments. If this is your oldest account, closing it will also remove that age from your credit history, which can have a slightly larger effect, but again the impact fades over time.
If you're concerned about the score drop, you can wait to close the card until after you've paid down balances on other cards, or until you're not planning to explore for new credit in the next few months. But if you're paying an annual fee or carrying a balance you can't pay off, closing the account is usually the right move regardless of the temporary score impact.
Verify the closure and check for lingering charges
After you hang up, log into your Credit One online account or app and confirm the status shows as "closed" or "account closed." If it still shows as active after two weeks, call back and ask why the closure hasn't processed.
Check your account one more time about a month after closure to make sure no new charges have appeared. Closed accounts can sometimes receive stray charges or fraud, and catching it early makes it easier to dispute. If you see any charges after the account closed, contact Credit One when ready with your confirmation number from the cancellation call.
You should also pull your credit report from all three bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — about 30 days after closure. You can get a free report from each bureau once per year at annualcreditreport.com. Verify that the account shows as closed and that the payment history is accurate. If the report shows the account as still open or shows incorrect information, contact Credit One in writing and include your confirmation number.
What to do if you have a balance you can't pay right now
If you owe money on the card but don't have the full amount, you have two options: pay what you can and ask about a payment plan, or contact Credit One to discuss hardship options.
Credit One does not typically offer formal hardship programs like some larger banks do, but it's worth calling to explain your situation. The worst they can say is no. If they won't work with you, you can still make partial payments toward the balance while keeping the account open, and close it once the balance reaches zero.
Do not ignore the balance or stop making payments. Unpaid debt will be reported to the credit bureaus, damage your score, and eventually be sent to a collection agency. If you're struggling with multiple debts, consider speaking with a nonprofit credit counselor through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) — they offer free or low-cost guidance on debt repayment and budgeting.
Canceling by mail if you prefer not to call
If you don't want to call, you can request cancellation in writing. Send a letter to Credit One's mailing address (available on your statement or their website) that includes your account number, full name, and a clear statement that you want to close the account. Keep a copy for your records.
Written cancellation takes longer — usually two to four weeks — because the letter has to be received, processed, and logged into their system. You won't get when ready confirmation the way you do on a phone call, so follow up after three weeks if you haven't heard back. Call customer service to confirm the closure was received and processed.
Written cancellation is useful if you have documentation concerns or want a paper trail, but it's slower than calling. Most people find the phone route faster and easier.
After the card is closed: next steps
Once your Credit One card is closed, you don't need to do anything else unless you had automatic payments set up on that card. If you did, update those payments to a different card or bank account so they don't fail.
Keep the closed account on your credit report. Do not ask the credit bureaus to remove it. A closed account in good standing actually helps your credit score because it shows a history of on-time payments. It will stay on your report for about seven to ten years, then fall off automatically.
If you're working to rebuild credit after closing this card, focus on keeping other accounts open and in good standing. Make on-time payments, keep balances low, and avoid opening too many new accounts at once. These habits matter more than the temporary dip from closing one card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen a Credit One card after I close it?
Credit One does not reopen closed accounts. If you want to use a Credit One card again, you would need to open a new account, which means a new credit inquiry and a new account on your credit report. It's better to keep the card open if you think you might use it again, even if you're not carrying a balance.
What if Credit One won't let me close the account?
Credit One will not close an account with an outstanding balance. If you've paid the balance to zero and they're still refusing, ask to speak with a supervisor and explain that you've paid in full and want the account closed. If they continue to refuse, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov.
Will closing my Credit One card hurt my credit score permanently?
No. The score drop is temporary, usually recovering within a few months. Your score is affected by payment history (35%), amounts owed (30%), length of credit history (15%), credit mix (10%), and new inquiries (10%). Closing one card affects the "amounts owed" and "length of history" categories, but these effects fade as time passes and you build positive activity elsewhere.
Do I need to cut up my card after closing it?
Yes, it's a good idea to cut or shred the card after the account is closed to prevent accidental use or fraud. You can throw it away once you have confirmation the account is closed.
What if I see charges on my closed Credit One account?
Call Credit One when ready and reference your cancellation confirmation number. Explain that the account was closed and ask them to investigate the charge. If they can't resolve it, file a dispute in writing and send it certified mail. You can also file a complaint with the CFPB if Credit One doesn't respond within 30 days.