Typically, leaving your credit card accounts open is the best option, even if you're not using them. However, there are a few valid reasons for deciding to close an account.
In general, keep unused credit cards open so you benefit from longer average credit history and lower credit utilization. Consider putting one small regular purchase on the card and paying it off automatically to keep the card active. At Experian, one of our priorities is consumer credit and finance education.
You never want to close out an account, especially if it's the account establishing your credit now. I would probably say the best course of action is to wait until your next oldest card has a history, like two or three years, then close out the first account.
Data Security: Credit cards often have embedded technology (like chips) that could be exploited if not disposed of properly. Cutting the card ensures that the chip and magnetic stripe are destroyed, making it difficult for anyone to retrieve your information.
Without question, you should destroy cards and throw them away; do not recycle them. While recycling a card would mean it doesn't go to a landfill, it would instead go to a plant where it would be placed onto a conveyor belt and sorted by human hands.
It's important to destroy old credit cards until they're rendered unusable. To destroy plastic cards, cut with scissors or shred and dispose of the pieces in separate bags. To get rid of metal credit cards, return them to your credit card issuer for safe disposal.
Closing a credit card can hurt your credit, especially if it's a card you've had for years. An account closure can cause a temporary hit to your credit by increasing your credit utilization, lowering your average age of accounts and possibly limiting your credit mix.
Most consumer debts will “expire” after three to six years, meaning a creditor or debt collector can no longer sue you for them. You're still responsible for paying old debts, but waiting until the statute of limitations runs out might help you avoid future legal issues.
Closing a credit card with a zero balance may increase your credit utilization ratio and potentially drop your credit score. In certain scenarios, it may make sense to keep open a credit card with no balance. Other times, it may be better to close the credit card for your financial well-being.
The other risk of leaving a card inactive is the issuer might decide to close the account. If you haven't used a card for a long period, it generally will not hurt your credit score. However, if a lender notices your inactivity and decides to close the account, it can cause your score to slip.
Keeping a low credit utilization ratio is good, but having too many credit cards with zero balance may negatively impact your credit score. If your credit cards have zero balance for several years due to inactivity, your credit card issuer might stop sending account updates to credit bureaus.
Resolving old unpaid balances might not directly impact your credit score but can enhance your eligibility for loans, provide better loan terms, and result in credit limit increases.
Instead of closing the account, you may be better off cutting up the card to resist further spending rather than closing the account. That way, you can avoid a possible hit to your credit rating, which could jeopardize future financial needs.
Keeping the card open can help maintain a healthy credit score by contributing to your credit history and utilization ratio. However, there are valid reasons to consider canceling, such as high annual fees or difficulties managing multiple accounts.
There are some differences around how the various data elements on a credit report factor into the score calculations. Although credit scoring models vary, generally, credit scores from 660 to 724 are considered good; 725 to 759 are considered very good; and 760 and up are considered excellent.
The limitation period for collection of debts is 6 years from the date the debt became payable and after that time they may become statute barred. This means that the debt is no longer recoverable, including by legal action in the courts. However, it is always worth checking that your debt is actually statute barred.
If you are struggling with debt and debt collectors, Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC can help. As soon as you use the 11-word phrase “please cease and desist all calls and contact with me immediately” to stop the harassment, call us for a free consultation about what you can do to resolve your debt problems for good.
"Shark Tank" investor Kevin O'Leary has said the ideal age to be debt-free is 45, especially if you want to retire by age 60. Being debt-free — including paying off your mortgage — by your mid-40s puts you on the early path toward success, O'Leary argued.
“We recommend that consumers cut through the EMV chip, then further cut the card a few times along the short side, and dispose of the sections in more than one trash bag,” says Sarah Grano, a spokeswoman for the American Bankers Association. Or feed plastic cards into a paper shredder designed to handle them.
Owning more than two or three credit cards can become unmanageable for many people. However, your credit needs and financial situation are unique, so there's no hard and fast rule about how many credit cards are too many. The important thing is to make sure that you use your credit cards responsibly.
In the long run, maintaining financial health could be much better for your credit score than the benefits of keeping the card account open. If you feel that keeping the account open could send you back into a stressful debt situation, then chop it up and close it down.
"The overall increase in your utilization rate is the most important thing to consider when you're trying to decide whether you should close an account." Another reason experts recommend not closing your oldest credit card is because the average age of your accounts will decrease.
There's no such thing as “too long” to keep a credit card. If you're happy with your card and getting a lot of value out of the rewards, there's no harm in sticking with it. Likewise, if you've stopped using a card and it doesn't charge an annual fee, in most cases it's preferable to keep the account open.