The steps to cancel a credit card
Call the customer service number on the back of your card or on your statement. Tell them you want to close the account. They will ask why, but you do not have to give a detailed reason — "I no longer need it" is enough. The representative will confirm your identity, process the cancellation, and give you a confirmation number. Write down that number.
Before you call, pay off any remaining balance on the card. Most issuers will not let you cancel an account with an outstanding balance, and even if they do, you will still owe the money. After the account closes, you can no longer use the card, but you remain responsible for paying what you borrowed.
After you hang up, follow up in writing. Send a letter to the address on your statement or the one the representative gives you, stating that you are requesting the account be closed and referencing the confirmation number from your call. Keep a copy for your records. This creates a paper trail in case there is a dispute later about whether the account was actually closed.
Key Takeaways
- Pay off your full balance before calling to cancel, because most issuers will not close an account with money owed on it.
- Call the number on the back of your card or your statement and ask to close the account, then write down the confirmation number the representative gives you.
- Send a follow-up letter to the card issuer confirming the cancellation in writing, using the confirmation number as a reference.
- Closing a credit card may lower your credit score temporarily because it reduces your total available credit, but the impact usually fades over time.
- Check your credit report a few weeks after cancellation to make sure the account shows as closed and that no fraudulent charges appear.
What happens to your credit score when you cancel
Closing a credit card can lower your credit score, usually by a small amount. This happens because your credit score partly depends on your credit utilization ratio — the amount of credit you are using divided by the total credit available to you. When you close a card, your available credit shrinks, which can make your utilization ratio look higher even if you have not changed how much you spend.
The impact is temporary. Your score will recover over time as you continue to pay other accounts on time and as the closed account ages. If you have other cards with low balances, the damage is usually minimal. If this card was your only account or held most of your available credit, the dip may be more noticeable.
If you are planning to explore for a loan or mortgage soon, consider waiting a few months after closing the card before you explore. This gives your score time to rebound and shows lenders a more stable credit history.
When to close a card versus keeping it open
Keep a card open if it has no annual fee and you do not mind having it. An open account with a zero balance actually helps your credit score by keeping your utilization ratio low. There is no harm in letting it sit unused.
Close a card if it charges an annual fee that you do not want to pay, or if you are trying to simplify your finances and reduce the number of accounts you manage. Some people close cards after paying them off as a way to avoid the temptation to spend again, which is a valid personal choice.
Do not close your oldest card if you can avoid it. The age of your accounts affects your credit score, and closing your oldest card removes that history. If you have multiple cards, close a newer one instead.
Checking your credit report after cancellation
A few weeks after you cancel, check your credit report to confirm the account shows as closed. You can get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — once per year at annualcreditreport.com. This is the official government site, not a third-party service.
Look for the closed card in your report and verify that the status says "closed" or "closed by consumer." If it says anything else, or if you see charges on the account after you closed it, contact the card issuer right away. Fraudulent charges can still appear on closed accounts, and you want to dispute them quickly.
Keep checking your report for the next few months. Sometimes it takes multiple billing cycles for a closed account to fully update across all three bureaus. If the account still shows as open after 60 days, call the issuer again and ask them to confirm the closure in writing.
What to do if the card issuer will not close your account
Most issuers will close an account when you ask, but occasionally a representative may try to talk you out of it or claim they cannot process the request. If this happens, ask to speak to a supervisor. Be polite but firm: you have the right to close your own account.
If the supervisor also refuses, ask for the mailing address for written account closure requests and send a certified letter stating that you are requesting the account be closed. Include your account number, the date, and a statement that you want the account closed when ready. Send it certified mail with return receipt so you have proof it arrived.
If the account still does not close after 30 days, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov. The CFPB investigates complaints against banks and credit card companies and can force them to comply with your request.
Handling authorized users before you cancel
If you added other people to your account as authorized users, they will no longer be able to use the card once you close it. Let them know before you cancel so they are not surprised when their card stops working. If they have an outstanding balance on the card, make sure that is paid off before closure.
Removing an authorized user from an account is different from closing the account. If you want to remove someone but keep the card open, call the issuer and ask them to remove that person. The card will stay active for you, but the authorized user's card will be deactivated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will canceling a credit card hurt my credit score?
It may lower your score temporarily because closing the account reduces your available credit. The impact is usually small and fades over a few months. If you are planning to explore for a loan soon, wait a few months after cancellation before you explore.
Can I cancel a credit card with a balance on it?
Most issuers will not close an account with an outstanding balance. Even if they do, you still owe the money. Pay off the balance first, then call to cancel. After the account closes, you can no longer use the card, but you remain responsible for the debt.
What happens to rewards points when I cancel?
This depends on the card issuer's policy. Some programs let you keep your points for a limited time after cancellation; others cancel your points when ready. Check your rewards program terms or call the issuer before you cancel if you have points you want to use.
How long does it take for a credit card cancellation to show up on my credit report?
It usually takes two to four weeks for the closure to appear on your credit report. Check your report a few weeks after cancellation to confirm. If it still shows as open after 60 days, contact the issuer again.
Do I need to cut up the card after I cancel it?
It is a good idea to cut the card in half or shred it so it cannot be used, even though the account is closed. This prevents someone from finding the card and attempting to use it. You do not have to return it to the issuer unless they ask you to.