Call Bank of America to close your account
The fastest way to close a Bank of America credit card is to call their customer service line at 1-800-432-1000. Have your card number ready. A representative will confirm your identity, ask why you're closing the account, and process the closure on the call. The account closes when ready, though it may take a few days for the closure to show on your credit report.
You can also close the account through your online banking portal or the Bank of America mobile app by navigating to your card details and selecting the close account option. This method works if you prefer not to call, but you won't get when ready confirmation that the closure went through — you'll need to check back in a few days or call to verify.
Before you call or go online, make sure your card balance is zero. If you have an outstanding balance, you'll need to pay it off first. Bank of America will not close an account with an unpaid balance.
Key Takeaways
- Call 1-800-432-1000 with your card number ready to close your account in one conversation.
- Pay off any remaining balance before closing — Bank of America will not close an account with money owed.
- The account closes when ready by phone, but may take several days to reflect on your credit report.
- You can also close the account through your online portal or mobile app if you prefer not to call.
- After closure, keep the card in case you need to reference the account number for billing disputes or records.
What to do before you call
Check your account for any pending charges or recurring payments tied to the card. If you have autopay set up for utilities, subscriptions, or other bills, those will fail once the card closes. Log into your Bank of America account online or through the app and review your recent transactions to catch anything you might have forgotten about.
If you have a zero balance but rewards points remaining, use them before closing. Once the account is closed, you lose access to any unused rewards. Redeem them for cash back, statement credits, or travel rewards through your account portal.
Write down your card number, account number, and the date you're closing the account. You may need this information later if a charge appears after closure or if you need to dispute something. Keep records of the closure confirmation as well.
What happens to your credit after you close the card
Closing a credit card can lower your credit score in the short term because it reduces your total available credit. If you had a $5,000 limit and no other cards, closing it shrinks your available credit to zero, which can raise your credit utilization ratio on any remaining cards. The impact is usually temporary and fades over several months as long as you pay other accounts on time.
The closed account will remain on your credit report for up to 10 years, which is actually helpful — it shows a history of responsible credit use. Lenders can see that you had the card, used it responsibly, and closed it intentionally rather than defaulting.
If this is your oldest credit card, closing it will also lower the average age of your credit accounts, which can affect your score. If you're concerned about this, consider keeping the card open but unused instead of closing it.
Handling charges that appear after closure
Occasionally a charge will post to your account after you've closed it — usually a subscription or recurring payment that was already in the system. Bank of America will send you a bill for the remaining balance. Pay it promptly to avoid late fees and credit damage.
If you dispute a charge that appears after closure, contact Bank of America's dispute department at 1-800-432-1000. They can investigate the charge and may reverse it if it's unauthorized or if the merchant charged you after you requested closure. Keep documentation of when you closed the account in case you need to prove the timing.
Alternatives to closing your card
If you're closing the card because you don't use it, consider keeping it open instead. An unused card with a zero balance doesn't hurt your credit and actually helps by keeping your available credit high. You can put it in a drawer and forget about it — there's no annual fee on most Bank of America cards, so there's no cost to keeping it open.
If you're closing because of an annual fee, call Bank of America first and ask if they'll waive it or switch you to a no-fee version of the card. They often will, especially if you've been a customer for a while. This preserves your credit history and available credit without any action on your part.
If you're closing because you want to consolidate debt, consider a balance transfer to another card instead. This keeps the account open, moves your balance to a lower interest rate, and gives you time to pay down what you owe.
What to do with the physical card
After you close the account, destroy the physical card by cutting it up or shredding it. Do not throw it away intact — someone could find it and attempt to use the number. Once the account is closed, the card won't work anyway, but destroying it prevents any confusion.
If you have multiple cards from the same account (a joint cardholder or an authorized user card), make sure all of them are destroyed. Each card number is tied to the account, and destroying them prevents accidental use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my Bank of America credit card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but usually only temporarily. Your score may drop by 5 to 10 points in the short term because closing the card reduces your available credit and can raise your utilization ratio on other cards. The impact fades over several months as long as you pay other accounts on time. The closed account stays on your report for up to 10 years, which actually helps your credit history.
Can I reopen a Bank of America credit card after I close it?
You can request to reopen a closed account within a short window (usually 30 to 60 days), but Bank of America is not required to approve it. After that window, you would need to open a new account. If you think you might want the card again, consider keeping it open with a zero balance instead of closing it.
What if I have a balance on the card when I try to close it?
Bank of America will not close the account until the balance is paid off. Pay the full amount owed first, then call to close. If you can't pay it all at once, you can keep the account open, make payments, and close it once the balance reaches zero.
How long does it take for the closure to show up on my credit report?
The account closes when ready when you call, but it may take 3 to 7 business days for the closure to appear on your credit report. You can check your report through the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to confirm the closure has been recorded.
Do I need to close the card in person at a Bank of America branch?
No. You can close the account by phone, through your online portal, or through the mobile app. There's no need to visit a branch unless you prefer to do it in person, in which case a banker can process it for you while you're there.