Closing your credit without without hurting your credit 

There are as many reasons to close a credit card account as there are card holders. Maybe you've found a card with better terms and want to dump this one. (Check out this if you're planning to transfer a balance to the new card from the old one before you close it.) Perhaps this was a backup card that you just don't need any longer. Or it's a more drastic circumstance. You've misplaced the card or it was stolen. (Of course, in this scenario you'll call your card issuer as soon as you notice the card is gone, but a written follow-up doesn't hurt.)

Whatever the reason, closing a credit card account is more than just paying off the balance. To guarantee that your credit information on the old account isn't shared or sullied, you need to formally request, in writing, that your account be closed.

The form letters below do the trick. The first one is a general account closure letter. The second one may be used to follow up on the closure of an account where the card was lost or stolen.

Personalize the letters by entering your specifics in the areas in red. You can print out this Web page and make your changes by hand or copy the body of the letter and paste it into a document where you can make your changes on your PC.


Date
Customer Service
Credit Card Company Name
Company's Address
City, State and Zip Code
Re: Closing account on card name account number
Dear Sir or Madam:
This letter is my official notice that I will be closing my account number by the end of the month with name of credit card company.
I paid the account's balance with check number list check number dated state date. I have received confirmation from my bank that this check cleared on posting date. If you have a copy of the canceled check or some other verification that your payment to the account was made, mention that here: I am enclosing a copy of my canceled check to confirm that you did receive my payment. I also am enclosing my destroyed credit card.
To my knowledge, all my fiscal responsibilities with this credit card account have been fulfilled. Therefore, please close my account and include a notation in the report to the credit bureaus that the account was "closed by request of cardholder."
Once this is done, please send me written confirmation of the closure of my account, in good standing and at my request.
If there are any discrepancies between my records and yours, please contact me by mail at the address below or by phone at telephone number.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Typed Name
Address
City, State and Zip Code
Enclosures:  
destroyed credit card

verification of final account payment


Date
Customer Service
Credit Card Company Name
Company's Address
City, State and Zip Code
Re: Closing account of lost or stolen card name account number
Dear Sir or Madam:
This letter is a follow-up to my telephone cancellation of my account number with name of credit card company.
On date, I spoke with name of card company representative to report that my credit card was lost or stolen. At that time, I told Mr. or Ms. card representative that I wanted this account canceled, a new card issued and the balance from my old account transferred to my new replacement card account.
The last charge I made or authorized on this account was at name of retailer on date in the amount of dollar amount. Any charges subsequent to this transaction were made illegally with my lost or stolen card and should not be honored or transferred to my new card account.
I appreciate your prompt attention to my request. I look forward to receiving my new company name credit card and to continuing to do business with your company.
If you have any questions about my requests or the circumstances surrounding my lost or stolen card, please contact me by mail at the address below or by phone at telephone number.
Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Typed Name
Address
City, State and Zip Code