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Step 1
Call the credit card issuer and ask to have your account closed. Initially, you will most likely speak to a customer service representative, and then you will be transferred to someone who can handle the actual account closure. The card company may offer special incentives if you agree to keep your account open. If you are determined to close it, simply turn these down. The company may also ask for a reason. All you need to say is, "I no longer need this account."
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Step 2
Ask the credit card company to send you written confirmation that the account is closed once the representative says this has been done. Even though you may be told over the phone that your account is closed, there could be an error that keeps it open. Written confirmation will give you some assurance that the closure was successfully completed.
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Step 3
Destroy your credit card on the closed account. Cut it up into small pieces, and spread the pieces out among two or three different trash bags. This will prevent someone from finding them and getting information that could possibly be used for identity theft.
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Step 4
Continue to pay at least the minimum monthly payment on the remaining balance of your closed account. Your payment history will continue to be reported to the credit bureaus even though the account is closed.
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Step 5
Request a free copy of your credit report from at least one of the three major credit bureaus. Under the law, you are entitled to get a yearly copy of your report from Transunion, Equifax and Experian at no charge. Check the report to make sure the account is listed as closed and the remaining balance and payment history are being reported correctly.
