The right way to destroy a credit card before throwing it away
Destroying a credit card means making it physically unusable so that no one — not a dumpster diver, not a mail thief, not someone going through your trash — can swipe it, read the number, or use the information on it. The card itself is just plastic and a magnetic stripe or chip; the real risk is the account number, expiration date, and CVV printed or encoded on it.
The safest method is to cut the card into pieces small enough that the number, expiration date, and CVV cannot be read together on any single piece. This takes about two minutes and a pair of scissors or a shredder. You do not need to contact your bank first — destroying the physical card does not close the account, and the account will keep working if you have other cards or if you use online banking.
Key Takeaways
- Cut your card into at least four pieces, making sure the account number, expiration date, and CVV are separated across different pieces.
- Destroying the card does not close the account — you must contact your bank separately if you want the account closed.
- A shredder rated for credit cards is faster than scissors, but scissors work fine if you cut carefully.
- Throw the pieces into separate trash bags or bins if possible, so they cannot be reassembled from a single bag.
Cutting by hand with scissors
Use a pair of regular household scissors. Cut the card into at least four pieces. The goal is to make sure that no single piece shows the full account number, the expiration date, and the CVV all together.
Start by cutting the card in half lengthwise, so you have two long strips. Then cut each strip in half again, so you have four pieces. If the account number runs across the card horizontally (which it usually does), this method will separate it. Cut one or two more times if you want to be extra cautious — six or eight pieces is fine.
Throw the pieces into your regular trash. If you are concerned about someone sorting through your garbage, put different pieces into different trash bags or bins, or throw them out on different days.
Using a shredder
A shredder rated for credit cards will destroy the card faster than scissors. Most cross-cut shredders (the kind that cuts paper into small rectangles) will handle a credit card without jamming. Check your shredder's manual or the label on the machine — if it says it shreds credit cards, you can feed the card in the same way you would feed paper.
Do not use a shredder that is not rated for cards. A shredder designed only for paper may jam, overheat, or break. If you do not have a card-rated shredder, scissors are the safer choice.
Shredded pieces can go into your regular trash. The shreds are small enough that reassembling them is not practical.
What not to do
Do not just bend the card or snap it in half. A bent card is still readable — the account number, expiration date, and CVV are still visible, and someone could potentially use the information. Bending also does not destroy the chip or magnetic stripe, which contain encoded data.
Do not burn the card. Burning plastic releases toxic fumes and is a fire hazard. It is also unnecessary — cutting is safer and faster.
Do not soak the card in water or bleach. Water and bleach do not make the information unreadable, and they create a mess. The card will still have all the printed information on it.
Closing the account is separate from destroying the card
Destroying the physical card does not close your credit card account. The account stays open and active. You can still use the account online, through your bank's app, or with another physical card if your bank sends you a replacement.
If you want to close the account, you must contact your bank by phone, through their website, or in person at a branch. Tell them you want to close the card account. They will ask you to confirm your identity and may ask why you are closing it. The account will close, and you will not be able to use that card number anymore.
If you are destroying the card because it is damaged, expired, or you straightforward do not use it, you do not have to close the account. You can keep it open and destroy the card. If you later want to use the account again, your bank can send you a new card with a new number.
What to do with the account information
Before you destroy the card, write down or take a photo of the customer service number on the back. You will need this number if you want to close the account or if you have questions about it later. The customer service number usually stays the same even after you destroy the card.
If the card was stolen or compromised, contact your bank when ready before destroying it. Your bank may want to freeze the account, cancel the card number, or investigate fraudulent charges. Destroying the card will not undo fraud — only your bank can do that.
If you are destroying the card because you are switching to a different card or bank, keep a record of the account number and closing date somewhere safe (like a password manager or a locked file) for at least a few months. You may need it to dispute charges or to confirm the account is closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to destroy my card when it expires?
No. An expired card cannot be used to make purchases, so it is not a security risk. You can throw it away without destroying it. However, destroying it takes only a minute and makes sure no one can read the number, so many people do it anyway.
What if I cut the card but some pieces still show part of the number?
That is fine. The goal is to make sure no single piece shows the complete account number, expiration date, and CVV together. If one piece shows "4532" and another shows "1098", neither piece alone is enough to use the card. Cut a few more times if you want to be certain.
Can someone use my card if they find the pieces in the trash?
It is very unlikely. Reassembling cut pieces is difficult and time-consuming. The bigger risk is a card that is bent or snapped but still readable — that is why cutting into multiple pieces matters. If you are worried, throw the pieces into separate trash bags.
Will destroying the card hurt my credit score?
No. Destroying the physical card does not affect your credit score. Closing the account might have a small effect (because it changes the age of your accounts and the amount of credit available to you), but destroying the card itself has no impact.
What if my card has a chip instead of a magnetic stripe?
Cut it the same way. The chip is just a small square of electronics embedded in the plastic. Cutting the card into pieces destroys the chip and makes the printed information unreadable. You do not need to do anything special.