How to Cancel a Visa Card
Visa credit cards are available from different financial institutions, employers and businesses to fulfill an range of credit needs. People can find themselves in possession of multiple Visa cards and may wish to close a seldom-used card. Canceling a card can also be a security measure or a means of removing an opportunity to spend. Closing a credit card may affect your credit score temporarily, because ratings depend on how much credit you have available and the length of time you have held the accounts.
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Instructions
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Preparation
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1
Find for the customer service number and mailing address. They are listed on the back of the credit card, on the monthly statements or on the credit card's website.
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2
Pay down the balance on the account to zero. Alternatively, you can find a credit card company that will transfer the balance to another card. You don't need to announce your intentions to close the account at this time.
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3
Verify that the account balance is zero by phoning the customer service department at the credit card company. Ask the customer service representative to verify that the account balance is zero. There might be some residual interest or charges that have accrued between the time you paid the amount off and the last settlement date. During the call, keep paper and pen handy to write down information about your call. This information should include the first and last names of people you talk to, their job title and department, any other employee identification information mentioned in the call, the date, time of day, any people you are transferred to and their phone numbers or extension numbers.
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4
Pay the remaining balance if the balance was not zero when you called. Then call again to confirm that the balance is zero.
Inform Company of Closure
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5
Inform a customer service representative that you wish to close the account immediately. Only do this after you've confirmed a zero balance. In addition to keeping written notes, consider making a recording of the call. If you decide to record, advise the customer service representative of this before you start recording.
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Make a specific, very clear request to the representative you are talking to that they include a note indicating that the closure is at your own request.
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Ask for the name, address and phone number of a person to whom you can send a confirming letter and request for written verification of the closure. You may have to talk to several people and be insistent about your intention to close the account.
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8
Write a confirming letter to the person whose name and address you got in the phone call. The confirming letter should list who you spoke with on the phone and when you spoke to them, the details of the conversation, and any other pertinent information from your notes. In the letter, request that they send you written verification that your account has been closed and that your credit records state it was you who closed the account, not the credit card company. Your letter should include your name, address, phone number and the account number for the account you are closing. Keep a copy of the letter.
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Mail the letter, sending it by certified mail or return receipt requested to verify that it was delivered properly.
Follow-Up
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10
Wait for the verification letter to arrive. If a month passes with no word, check the account to see if it reflects the closure. If not, repeat the phone contact procedure, referring to your notes to outline what has happened so far. Take notes again as above. If the account is closed but no letter arrives, send copies of all documents, including the receipt from the post office proving delivery of your first letter, to the person who can verify the closure.
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11
Check your credit report to see that it reflects that the account was closed at your request. If it does not, contact the credit bureau that has the erroneous report and ask them to change the information. Supply them with a copy of the verification letter.
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12
Dispose of the credit cards for the closed account by shredding them or cutting them up.
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