The basic steps to deactivate your credit card

Deactivating a credit card means telling your bank or card issuer to stop letting you use it. The card itself stays in your wallet, but transactions get declined. You can deactivate a card temporarily (the issuer freezes it) or permanently (the issuer closes the account). Most people deactivate a card by calling the customer service number on the back of the card, telling the representative you want to deactivate or close it, and answering a few security questions. The whole call usually takes five to ten minutes.

Permanent closure is different from a temporary freeze. A temporary freeze pauses the card for days or weeks — you can unfreeze it later by calling back or using your bank's app. Permanent closure closes the account entirely, and reopening it means starting over with a new process. Know which one you want before you call, because the representative will ask.

Some banks let you deactivate a card through their mobile app or website without calling. Log in, find the card in your account, and look for a "freeze card," "lock card," or "close account" option. If you see it, that's usually the fastest route. If not, the phone call is your next step.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the customer service number on the back of your card and tell the representative you want to deactivate or close it — this takes about five to ten minutes.
  • A temporary freeze stops the card from working but lets you unfreeze it later; permanent closure closes the account and requires a new process to reopen it.
  • Check your bank's app or website first, because many banks now let you freeze or close a card without calling.
  • Before you deactivate, pay off any balance on the card and make sure no recurring charges (subscriptions, automatic payments) are still linked to it.
  • Closing a card can lower your credit score slightly because it reduces your total available credit, so consider whether you need to close it or just stop using it.

What to do before you call to deactivate

Before you deactivate, pay off any remaining balance on the card. If you close an account with an unpaid balance, you still owe the money, but the issuer may charge you a higher interest rate or stop letting you make payments through their app. Paying it off first keeps things straightforward.

Check whether any recurring charges are still linked to the card. Subscriptions, gym memberships, insurance payments, and automatic bill payments often stay attached to a card even after you stop using it. Call or log into each service and update the payment method to a different card or bank account. If you deactivate without doing this, those charges will fail, and the service may suspend your account or charge you a late fee.

Write down the card number, expiration date, and CVV before you deactivate, in case you need them later to update a subscription or dispute a charge. Keep this information somewhere safe — a password manager, a locked note on your phone, or a physical notebook in a drawer.

How deactivation affects your credit score

Closing a credit card can lower your credit score, usually by a small amount (5 to 10 points), because it reduces your total available credit. Credit scoring models reward you for having access to credit you don't use — it shows lenders you can manage money responsibly. When you close an account, that available credit disappears from the calculation.

The impact is usually temporary. Your score typically recovers within a few months as long as you keep paying other bills on time. If you're planning to explore for a mortgage, car loan, or another major loan in the next few months, closing a card right before you explore can hurt your chances. If you're not planning to borrow soon, the impact matters less.

If you want to deactivate the card but don't want to close the account, ask the representative about a temporary freeze instead. A freeze stops the card from working but keeps the account open and the available credit in your score calculation. You can unfreeze it later if you change your mind.

Temporary freeze versus permanent closure

A temporary freeze is useful if you've lost the card, think it was compromised, or want to stop using it for a while but might need it later. The freeze usually takes effect when ready, and you can unfreeze the card by calling back or using your bank's app. Most banks let you freeze and unfreeze a card as many times as you want, with no fee.

Permanent closure is right if you've decided you don't need the card anymore and want to simplify your finances. Once you close an account, the issuer may take 30 to 60 days to fully process the closure. During that time, the account still shows on your credit report, but as closed. After 60 days, it stops appearing on your report (though it stays in your credit history for seven years).

If you close a card and later realize you need it, you can call the issuer and ask them to reopen the account — but they may say no, or they may require a new process. It's easier to freeze first and close later if you're unsure.

What happens after you deactivate

Once you deactivate, any attempt to use the card gets declined. If you've set up automatic payments or subscriptions on the card, those charges will fail. The service provider will usually send you a notification that the payment didn't go through, and you'll need to update your payment method with them.

If the card is still in your wallet, you can keep it or destroy it. Some people cut up the card to make sure they don't accidentally try to use it. Others keep it in a drawer in case they need the account number for a dispute or to update a subscription later.

The closed or frozen account will stay on your credit report. A closed account shows as "closed by consumer" and stays visible for seven years. This doesn't hurt your score — it actually shows lenders you manage accounts responsibly. An account that was closed by the issuer (because you missed payments) looks worse.

If you want to keep the card but stop using it

You don't have to deactivate a card to stop using it. You can straightforward leave it in a drawer and never touch it. The account stays open, your available credit stays in your credit score, and you can use the card anytime without calling the bank.

The downside is that the issuer may close the account for inactivity if you don't use it for a long time (usually 12 months or more, depending on the bank). When that happens, the account closes without your permission, which can lower your score slightly. To prevent this, use the card once or twice a year — buy something small and pay it off right away.

Keeping an old card open is often smarter than closing it, especially if it has no annual fee. You get to keep the available credit in your score, and you have a backup payment method if your main card gets lost or stolen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deactivating a credit card hurt my credit score?

Closing a card can lower your score by 5 to 10 points because it reduces your available credit. The impact is usually temporary and recovers within a few months. A temporary freeze doesn't hurt your score because the account stays open.

Can I reactivate a card after I deactivate it?

If you froze the card temporarily, you can unfreeze it anytime by calling the bank or using the app. If you closed the account permanently, you can ask the issuer to reopen it, but they may refuse or require a new process.

What happens to my rewards points when I close a card?

Rewards points usually stay in your account for a set time (often 12 months) after you close the card, and you can redeem them. Check your card's terms or call the issuer to confirm how long they hold points after closure.

Do I need to destroy the card after I deactivate it?

You don't have to, but it's a good idea to cut it up so you don't accidentally try to use it. Some people keep the card in case they need the account number for a dispute or subscription update.

How long does it take to close a credit card account?

The deactivation happens when ready when you call or use the app. Full closure (when it stops appearing on your credit report) usually takes 30 to 60 days, depending on the bank.