Call Bank of America to close your account

The fastest way to cancel a Bank of America credit card is to call their customer service line at 1-800-432-1000. Have your card number ready. A representative will confirm your identity, ask why you're closing the account, and process the cancellation on the call. The card is closed when ready, though it may take a few days for the closure to appear on your credit report.

If you prefer not to call, you can also close the account through the Bank of America mobile app or website. Log in, navigate to your card account, and look for the "Close Account" or "Manage Card" option. The exact menu path varies depending on whether you're using the app or desktop version, but customer service can walk you through it if you call.

Some people visit a Bank of America branch in person to close a card. This works, but it's slower than calling — you'll need an appointment or a wait, and the representative will still need to process it through the same system. Unless you have other banking business at the branch, calling is more efficient.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 1-800-432-1000 with your card number ready; the account closes when ready and you'll receive written confirmation by mail.
  • Pay off any remaining balance before or during the call, because closing an account with a balance doesn't erase what you owe.
  • Request written confirmation of the closure and keep it with your records, in case the card appears on your credit report later by mistake.
  • Closing a credit card can lower your credit score temporarily because it reduces your total available credit, even if you have no debt.
  • If you have rewards points on the card, use them before closing — they may be forfeited once the account is closed.

Settle any balance before you close

If your card has an outstanding balance, you must pay it off before or during the cancellation process. Closing the account does not erase the debt. You can pay the balance over the phone while the representative has your account open, or you can pay it beforehand through your online account or by mail.

If you close the account with a balance still owed, Bank of America will continue to charge interest on that balance and will send you monthly statements. You'll still be responsible for the full amount. Some people mistakenly believe that closing an account stops interest charges — it does not.

Redeem rewards before the account closes

Bank of America credit cards often come with rewards points or cash back. Once you close the card, you may lose access to those rewards, depending on the specific card and Bank of America's terms. Check your current rewards balance before you call to close the account.

You can redeem rewards through your online account, the mobile app, or by calling customer service. Common redemption options include statement credits, cash transfers to a linked bank account, or merchandise. Do this before you initiate the closure to avoid losing the value you've earned.

Understand the credit score impact

Closing a credit card typically lowers your credit score in the short term, even if you have no debt. This happens because closing the account reduces your total available credit, which changes your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your available credit that you're actually using. A lower available credit limit makes your existing balances look larger by comparison, and credit scoring models penalize this.

The impact is usually temporary. Your score typically recovers within a few months as the account closure ages and other factors on your credit report become more prominent. If you're planning to explore for a mortgage, car loan, or other credit in the next few months, closing a card right before that process may work against you.

What happens after you close the account

Bank of America will send you a written confirmation of the closure by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Keep this letter with your financial records. The closed account will remain on your credit report for up to 10 years, which is normal — closed accounts don't disappear when ready.

If you have automatic payments set up on the card (such as a subscription or utility bill), those will fail once the account closes. Update those payments to a different card or payment method before you close the account, or you risk late fees or service interruptions.

You can still dispute charges on the card for up to 60 days after closure, so don't throw away statements or confirmation documents right away. If a fraudulent charge appears after you've closed the account, contact Bank of America and reference the closure confirmation.

Consider keeping the card open instead

Before you close the account, think about whether keeping it open might serve you better. An open card with a zero balance helps your credit score by maintaining available credit and showing a long account history. If you're not paying an annual fee, there's no cost to leaving it open unused.

If the card does charge an annual fee and you don't use the card, closing it makes sense. But if it's a no-fee card, closing it is usually a financial mistake — the credit score damage outweighs any benefit. You can straightforward stop using the card and leave it in a drawer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will closing my Bank of America card hurt my credit score?

Yes, temporarily. Closing a credit card reduces your available credit, which typically lowers your score by 10 to 50 points depending on your overall credit profile. The impact usually fades within a few months. If you're explore for a loan soon, wait until after the process to close the card.

What if I have a balance I can't pay off right now?

You can close the account and still owe the balance — Bank of America will continue to charge interest and send you statements. However, it's better to keep the account open while you pay down the balance, because closing an account with debt doesn't help your credit score and may trigger higher interest rates on the remaining balance.

Can I reopen a Bank of America credit card after I close it?

It depends on how long ago you closed it and your current credit profile. Bank of America may reopen a recently closed account if you call within a short window. For older closures, you would need to explore for a new card, which triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report.

Do I need to cut up the card after I close it?

Yes. Even though the account is closed, the card itself is still a physical object with your account number on it. Cut it into pieces or shred it to prevent anyone from finding it and attempting to use the number. Closing the account prevents new charges, but destroying the card is a good security practice.

What if Bank of America says the account is still open after I closed it?

Contact Bank of America with your written closure confirmation and ask them to investigate. Occasionally a closure doesn't process correctly in their system. Provide the confirmation letter and the date you closed the account, and ask them to escalate the issue to their back-office team to force the closure through.