How Can I Open a Closed Credit Card Account?
Sometimes consumers will close a credit card account to avoid increasing their debt or because they never use the card. Other times, the creditor itself will close the account due to inactivity, delinquency or failure to pay. In any case, reopening a closed credit card account can benefit a person's credit rating if the account holder wishes to erase the negative notation of "closed by creditor" from his or her credit report. It can also help cash-strapped individuals who need access to credit. Unfortunately, reopening a closed credit card account ultimately lies at the discretion of your creditor.
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Instructions
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Get a copy of your old credit card statement to verify what your account number was. Make a note of this account number. Find the phone number and address for your creditor on your statement.
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Make notes to help organize your arguments for reopening the account. If you have paid off the card despite such things as delinquency and can show a more responsible credit history in the past six months, mention it. If the creditor closed the account due to inactivity, cite your past history as a customer in good standing.
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Call the creditor and ask to speak to an account specialist. Explain your situation and request that your account be reopened. Be very specific that you only want your former account number reactivated and not a new account number assigned to you. A new account will not erase the negative notation of "closed by creditor" from your credit report if that is your goal. Be polite in your arguments why reopening the account is a good idea. Be willing to accept that not every creditor will reopen a closed account on your terms.
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Try again if your first attempt fails. Work on improving your credit and wait a few months. Many creditors will consider reopening an old account number if they believe you will not be a credit risk in future.
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References
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