Closing Your Credit Card? Do It the Right Way

Many people are finding it better to close their credit cards these days. Considering that credit cards aren't as attractive as they once were, I don't blame anyone for wanting to get rid of a useless credit card. But, make sure you do it the right way.

Wrong: Call customer service and say "Take this credit card and [bleep]!" Hang up. Cut up the card. Ignore future mail and phone calls from the credit card company.

Right: Pay off your balance completely. Make sure closing the card won't hurt your credit. Call to request your credit card to be closed. Follow up in writing.

See The Right Way to Close a Credit Card for details on the steps to close your credit card.

More on Closing Credit Cards:

• Sample Credit Card Cancellation Letter
• How Closing a Credit Card Affects Your Credit
• Closing a Credit Card When You've Lost the Account Number