Call the customer service number on the back of your card
The fastest way to cancel your TJ Maxx credit card is to call the number printed on the back of the card itself. This number connects you directly to Synchrony Bank, which issues the card on behalf of TJ Maxx. Have your card in front of you when you call.
When you reach a representative, tell them you want to close the account. They will ask you why you're canceling — you don't have to give a detailed reason, but they may offer you a retention offer (like a discount or points bonus) to keep the card open. You can accept or decline. If you decline, the representative will process the closure and give you a confirmation number.
Write down the confirmation number and the date and time of the call. Keep this information for your records in case there's a dispute later about whether the account was actually closed.
Key Takeaways
- Call the customer service number on the back of your TJ Maxx card to reach Synchrony Bank, the card issuer.
- The representative may offer you an incentive to keep the card open, but you can decline and proceed with closure.
- Write down your confirmation number and the date and time of the call for your records.
- After closure, check your credit report in a few weeks to confirm the account shows as closed.
- Closing the card will not remove it from your credit history, but it may temporarily lower your credit score if it was your oldest card or had a high credit limit.
What happens to your balance and rewards
If you have an outstanding balance on the card when you close it, you will still owe that money. Closing the account does not erase the debt. The representative will tell you how to pay the remaining balance — usually by mail, phone, or online through Synchrony's website.
Any rewards points or cash back you've already earned will typically remain in your account for a limited time after closure, though the exact window varies. Ask the representative how long you have to use your points before they expire, and whether you can redeem them after the account is closed.
Confirm the closure in writing
After you hang up, send a written request to Synchrony Bank asking them to close your TJ Maxx credit card account. Include your account number, your full name, and the date you called to request closure. Mail it to the address listed on your most recent statement or on Synchrony's website.
This creates a paper trail. If there's ever a question about whether your account was closed, you have proof that you requested it. Keep a copy of the letter you send.
Monitor your credit report after closure
Check your credit report two to four weeks after you close the account to confirm that it shows as closed. You can view your credit report for free once per year at annualcreditreport.com, which is the official government site for this purpose.
Look for the TJ Maxx card entry and verify that the status says "closed" or "closed by consumer." If it still shows as open after a month, contact Synchrony again with your confirmation number and ask them to investigate.
Understand the impact on your credit score
Closing a credit card can affect your credit score, though the impact is usually temporary. Your score may drop slightly because closing the account reduces your total available credit, which can raise your credit utilization ratio (the percentage of your total credit limit that you're using across all cards).
The impact is typically smaller if the TJ Maxx card was not your oldest card and did not have a very high credit limit. If this card was your oldest account, closing it may have a larger effect because it shortens the average age of your accounts. The score usually recovers within a few months as you continue to pay other bills on time.
What to do if you can't reach customer service
If you have trouble reaching Synchrony by phone, you can also request closure through their online portal. Log in to your TJ Maxx credit card account on Synchrony's website and look for an option to close the account or contact customer service through find messaging.
You can also visit a TJ Maxx store in person and ask a manager to help you contact the card issuer, though the store staff cannot close the account themselves — they can only provide you with the correct phone number or direct you to the online portal.
Keep the card after closure
You don't need to destroy the card when ready after closure, but you should do so eventually to prevent fraud. Once the account is closed, the card number is no longer active, so it cannot be used for purchases. However, it's still a good idea to cut up the card or shred it so the number is not visible if someone finds it.
Do not throw the card in the trash whole — cut it into pieces first, especially the part with the card number and expiration date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my TJ Maxx card hurt my credit score?
It may lower your score slightly because it reduces your available credit, but the impact is usually temporary. The effect is smaller if the card was not your oldest account. Your score typically recovers within a few months.
Can I reopen the account after I close it?
Once you close the account, you cannot reopen it. If you want a TJ Maxx credit card again in the future, you would need to submit a new process and go through the approval process again.
What if I have a balance when I close the account?
You still owe the balance. Closing the account does not erase the debt. The representative will tell you how to pay it — usually by mail, phone, or online. Interest will continue to accrue on the balance until it's paid off.
How long does it take for the account to show as closed on my credit report?
It typically takes two to four weeks for the closure to appear on your credit report. Check annualcreditreport.com to verify. If it still shows as open after a month, contact Synchrony with your confirmation number.
Do I need to cut up the card right away?
Not when ready, but you should cut it up eventually to prevent fraud. Since the account is closed, the card number is no longer active and cannot be used. Cut the card into pieces before throwing it away so the number is not visible.