Cut or bend the card until it breaks into pieces
A metal credit card is harder to destroy than plastic, but a pair of heavy-duty scissors or tin snips will cut through it. Start at one corner and work along the edge, explore steady pressure. The card will resist at first, then snap. Once you have separated the card into at least three pieces, the magnetic stripe and chip are no longer readable as a single unit.
If you do not have tin snips, a hacksaw or rotary tool with a cutting disc works faster. Wear safety glasses — metal shards can fly when cut. Bend the pieces back and forth several times after cutting to further separate the layers and make reassembly impossible.
Do not throw the pieces in the trash whole. Separate the metal from any plastic backing, and distribute the pieces across multiple trash days or bins if you are concerned about dumpster diving. The goal is to make sure no single piece contains both the card number and the chip or stripe together.
Key Takeaways
- Heavy-duty scissors, tin snips, or a hacksaw will cut through a metal card; plastic scissors will not.
- Cut the card into at least three pieces so the magnetic stripe and chip are separated from the card number.
- Wear safety glasses when cutting metal to protect your eyes from flying shards.
- Throw the pieces in separate trash bags or on different days to prevent reassembly.
- Contact your card issuer before destroying the card to confirm it has been closed or replaced.
Why you should destroy a metal card instead of just throwing it away
A metal credit card is a theft target because the entire card number, expiration date, and sometimes the CVV are printed or embossed on the surface. Unlike plastic cards, the metal does not degrade in a landfill, and the information remains readable for years. Someone with access to a dumpster or recycling bin can retrieve the card and use the number for fraudulent purchases or to create a counterfeit card.
Cutting the card into pieces makes the information useless because no single piece contains enough data to complete a transaction. The card number alone is not enough — a thief also needs the expiration date and CVV, which are usually on different parts of the card after cutting.
What to do before you destroy the card
Call your card issuer before you cut up the card. Confirm that your account has been closed, that you have a replacement card on the way, or that you no longer need this card. If the card is still active and you destroy it without warning, you may have trouble accessing your account or making purchases until a replacement arrives.
If you are destroying the card because it is damaged or expired, the issuer may ask you to confirm the last four digits or the card number before closing the account. Have that information ready before you call. If you are destroying it because you lost the replacement or the card was compromised, tell the issuer that as well — they may flag your account for fraud monitoring.
Write down the last four digits of the card number before you destroy it, in case you need to reference the card later for a billing dispute or to confirm which card was used for a transaction. Keep this note in a safe place, separate from where you store other financial documents.
Alternatives to cutting: burning, shredding, and magnets
Burning a metal card is not recommended. The card will not burn, but the plastic backing or any adhesive may release fumes. If you try to burn it, you will waste time and create a fire hazard.
A heavy-duty shredder designed for credit cards will cut through metal, but most home shredders will jam or break. If you have access to an industrial shredder at a workplace or recycling center, that is a faster option than hand-cutting. Ask the facility first — some do not accept metal cards because they can damage the machine.
Magnets will not erase the card number or the chip. The magnetic stripe on a metal card is the same as on a plastic card, and a magnet strong enough to erase it would also damage other electronics nearby. Cutting is the only reliable method.
How to handle the pieces after cutting
Separate the metal from any plastic or adhesive backing. Metal can be recycled, but most curbside programs do not accept small metal pieces because they can jam the sorting equipment. Check with your local recycling center to see if they have a separate bin for small metal items.
If recycling is not an option, throw the metal pieces in the regular trash, but do so in separate batches over time. Do not put all the pieces in a single bag on a single day. Spread them across multiple trash days so that even if someone retrieves one piece, they do not have access to all of them at once.
Keep the plastic backing separate. If it has any printed information on it, cut it into small pieces as well. Throw it away in a different trash bag or on a different day.
What to do if you cannot destroy the card yourself
If you have a physical disability or do not have access to cutting tools, ask a trusted family member or friend to destroy the card for you. Explain why you need it done — they do not need to know your card number or account details, only that it is an old card you no longer use.
Some banks and credit unions offer card destruction services. Call your issuer and ask if they will destroy the card if you mail it to them. They may provide a prepaid envelope or ask you to include it with a written request. This is slower than destroying it yourself, but it is an option if you are uncomfortable handling the card.
Do not ask a business like a shredding service to destroy a single card — the cost will be higher than doing it yourself, and you will have to trust them with your card information. Only use a professional service if you have multiple cards to destroy and the service is specifically designed for financial documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just cut the card in half?
Cutting it in half leaves two pieces, each of which may contain enough information for fraud. Cut it into at least three pieces, and ideally more. Make sure the card number, expiration date, and CVV are on different pieces.
Will cutting the card damage my account or credit?
No. The card is just a physical object linked to your account. Destroying it does not close the account or affect your credit report. Contact your issuer to close the account if that is what you want to do.
What if the card is still under warranty or has a balance on it?
If the card is a prepaid card with a remaining balance, contact the issuer before destroying it. They can transfer the balance to a replacement card or refund it to you. If it is a credit card with an outstanding balance, destroying the card does not eliminate the debt — you still owe the money.
Is it illegal to destroy a credit card?
No. You own the card, and you have the right to destroy it. The issuer may ask you to confirm the destruction for their records, but there is no legal penalty for cutting up your own card.
Should I take a photo of the card before I destroy it?
No. Do not photograph the card, and do not keep a photo of it on your phone or computer. If you need to reference the card number later, write down the last four digits by hand and store that note separately from your devices.