There are many reasons why you might want to get rid of your physical credit card. This includes when your account is closed or your card has expired. Or maybe it is damaged due to daily use and needs to be replaced with a new card.
But when you close your account or receive a new card in the mail, what should you do with your old credit card? It is important not to let this go unnoticed. In this article, we will share several safe ways to destroy your old or expired credit cards.
What You Should Do Before Getting Rid Of Your Credit Card
If you decide to close your account You must follow these steps before withdrawing your physical credit card:
- Pay off the entire balance: Before throwing away an old or expired credit card. Make sure you have paid all outstanding balances. If you don’t, you could incur late fees or have an impact on your credit score.
- Use rewards: If your credit card has a rewards program Be sure to use any points or cash back you earn before closing your account. When the account is closed You may lose any unsold rewards.
- Consider the impact on your credit score: Closing a credit card account can affect your credit score. This is especially true if the card has a high credit limit or if you’ve had it for a long time. It is important to keep this in mind before you decide to close your account.
- Contact your credit card company: Once you’ve decided to close your account, contact your credit card company. Contact your credit card company to let them know. They can guide you through the process and make sure the account is properly closed.
Safely dispose of your card: After closing your account, destroy the card to prevent abuse.
Get rid of plastic credit cards
To help prevent identity theft or unauthorized use. You will need to destroy cards that are old enough to render them unusable. Here’s how you can do it:
Cut your credit card with scissors
You can cut your credit card into several pieces. You can use scissors. You may also need to use scissors or heavy-duty scissors. Be sure to cut off the magnetic stripe, chip, and any information embossed on the card (such as your name and credit card number). Dispose of the pieces in a garbage bag or container. To add another layer of security
Use a cutting machine
One effective method is to shred cards using a cross-cut shredder available at most office supply stores. This method ensures that cards are reduced to tiny, scrap-like pieces, making it difficult for anyone to recreate and misuse the information.
Disable magnetic stripe and chip
The magnetic stripe and chip are an essential part of the card’s functionality and are encrypted with personal information. You can remove the magnetic tape by gently removing the magnetic tape. Move the magnet through the magnetic tape. Deactivate the chip with a hammer. As a precaution you will need to cut several pieces of card. times with strong scissors or scissors.
Return the metal credit card to the issuer
Due to durability Metal credit cards are therefore much more difficult to destroy than plastic cards. Many credit card companies offer free options to return or dispose of metal cards. It’s a good idea to call the customer service number on the back of your card and determine the best way to return your coin card.
Things you shouldn’t do with credit cards
There are several actions that are not recommended when dealing with old credit cards:
- Do not try to bend or fold it.
- Do not expose them to extreme temperatures.
- Just don’t throw it in the trash or trash without properly destroying and eliminating it.
Summarize
When you throw away old plastic credit cards It is important to destroy them appropriately and safely so that they can no longer be used. If you have a metal card Please contact your credit card issuer to request safe return or disposal.