Call Bank of America to close your account, confirm your balance is zero, and request written confirmation
To close a Bank of America credit card, call the customer service number on the back of your card or contact Bank of America directly at 1-800-432-1000. Have your account number ready. Tell them you want to close the account. They will confirm your current balance, discuss any pending charges, and process the closure on the phone.
Before you call, pay off any remaining balance. Bank of America will not close an account with an outstanding balance — you must settle what you owe first. If you have automatic payments set up, cancel those before closing so you do not accidentally overdraft after the account is closed.
After the representative confirms the closure, ask them to send you written confirmation by mail or email. This document shows the account is closed at your request and the final balance was zero. Keep this confirmation for your records, especially if you are closing the card to improve your credit profile or to stop using it.
Key Takeaways
- Pay your full balance to zero before calling — Bank of America will not close an account with money owed.
- Call 1-800-432-1000 or the number on your card and tell the representative you want to close the account.
- Cancel any automatic payments linked to the card before closure to avoid overdraft or failed transactions.
- Request written confirmation of the closure and keep it with your financial records.
- Closing a card reduces your available credit, which may temporarily lower your credit score.
What happens to your credit when you close a Bank of America card
Closing a credit card affects your credit score in two ways. First, your available credit shrinks — if you had a $5,000 limit and closed that card, your total available credit drops by $5,000. This raises your credit utilization ratio (the amount you owe divided by your total available credit), which can lower your score by 10 to 50 points depending on how much you use your remaining cards.
Second, the closed account stays on your credit report for up to 10 years. During that time, it shows as "closed by consumer" or "closed at consumer's request." This is not negative — it actually shows you managed the account responsibly. The damage comes only from the utilization shift, not from the closure itself.
If you are closing the card because you want to reduce temptation to spend, that is a valid reason. If you are closing it to improve your credit score, you may want to wait until you have paid down balances on your other cards first, so the utilization hit is smaller.
Steps to take before you call Bank of America
Review your last statement to confirm the balance. Log into your Bank of America online account or mobile app and check the current balance — it may be different from your last statement if charges posted after the statement closed. If the balance is not zero, make a payment before calling to close.
Check for any recurring charges tied to the card. Subscriptions, insurance payments, or automatic bill pay might still be charging to this card. Update those payments to a different card or bank account so they do not fail after closure. This step takes 5 to 10 minutes but prevents headaches later.
Write down the account number and have it ready when you call. You can find it on your card, your statement, or in your online account. Having it ready speeds up the call and reduces the chance of closing the wrong account if you have multiple Bank of America cards.
What to expect during and after the closure
The call typically lasts 5 to 10 minutes. The representative will confirm your identity, verify the balance is zero, and ask why you are closing the account. You do not have to give a detailed reason — "I no longer need this card" is sufficient. Some representatives may offer incentives to keep the account open (a cash bonus, waived fees, or a lower rate). You can decline these offers.
After closure, the card stops working when ready. Do not attempt to use it — transactions will be declined. Pending charges that have not yet posted may still go through for a few days, so monitor your account for the next week to catch any surprises.
Your credit report updates within 30 to 60 days. You will see the account marked as closed on your credit report, and your available credit will reflect the change. Check your credit report from all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) at annualcreditreport.com to confirm the closure is reported correctly.
If you want to reopen the account later
Bank of America allows you to reopen a closed credit card account within a limited window — typically 30 to 60 days, though this varies. If you close the account and change your mind within that timeframe, call customer service and ask if the account can be reopened. They will review your request, but there is no may provide they will approve it.
After the window closes, reopening becomes much harder. You would likely need to open a new account instead, which means a new credit inquiry and a new account age on your credit report. For this reason, take time to decide before you call to close.
Alternatives to closing if you want to stop using the card
If your main goal is to stop spending on the card but you want to preserve your credit limit and available credit, you do not have to close it. Instead, put the card in a drawer or ask Bank of America to freeze the account temporarily. A frozen account cannot be used for new charges, but it stays open and counts toward your available credit.
Another option is to downgrade to a different Bank of America card with no annual fee. This keeps the account open and preserves your credit history, but removes the fee burden if that was your reason for closing. Call customer service and ask what downgrade options are available for your card type.
Keeping old accounts open (even unused) actually helps your credit score over time because it maintains your available credit and shows a longer credit history. Close only if you are certain you will not want the account again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my Bank of America credit card online?
No, Bank of America requires you to close a credit card by phone. You cannot close it through the mobile app or website. Call 1-800-432-1000 or the number on your card to speak with a representative who can process the closure and answer questions about your account.
What if I have a balance I cannot pay right now?
Bank of America will not close the account until the balance is zero. You have two options: make a payment plan with the bank to pay off the balance over time while keeping the account open, or continue making payments after closure. If you close with a balance owed, the account remains open until you pay it off. Contact customer service to discuss a payment arrangement that works for your situation.
Will closing my card hurt my credit score?
Closing a card typically lowers your score by 10 to 50 points in the short term because it reduces your available credit. The impact is smaller if you have low balances on your other cards. Over time (months to years), the effect fades as long as you pay your remaining cards on time. The closure itself is not negative — only the change in available credit matters.
How long does it take for the closure to show on my credit report?
Bank of America reports the closure to the credit bureaus within 30 to 60 days. You can check your credit report at annualcreditreport.com to see when it appears. The account will show as "closed by consumer" on your report and will remain there for up to 10 years.
Can I reopen the account if I change my mind?
You may be able to reopen the account within 30 to 60 days of closure by calling customer service and requesting reinstatement. After that window closes, reopening becomes unlikely, and you would probably need to open a new account instead. Decide carefully before closing.