Cutting Credit Cards: How to Cut and Where to Dispose

There has been a raging debate over whether or not to cut up credit cards and/or close credit cards.  I’m also well aware that there are pros and cons on either side and that no one solution will fit everyone’s financial goals perfectly.

That being said…  I’ve decided to take an aggressive approach in officially declaring war on my debt and cutting up my credit cards. It’s an approach that is working wonders for my wife and me, and one you might want to consider if you aren’t satisfied with your current strategy.  Here’s the thing…  I have absolutely no interest in trying to “game” credit cards.  The thought of having 4 different cards (one for gas, one for groceries, one for target, and one for amazon, etc…) actually makes me want to smash my head into the keyboard.  Constantly changing my setup in search for the optimal method to get 2.12% back on all my purchases seems like one big distraction.

Instead, I’ve decided to try to refocus that energy on substantially increasing my income, in addition to ways I can further decrease my monthly expenses.

How To Cut A Credit Card – Should You Shred It?

Cutting up your credit cards can be a liberating experience that puts you on the path to financial freedom, so let’s go through the process.

Step 1: Gather Your Credit Cards

The first step in cutting up your credit cards is to gather them all together. Take a look at each card and write down the outstanding balances, interest rates, and minimum payments. This information will be helpful as you create a plan for paying off your debts.

Step 2: Determine Which Cards to Cut Up

After you have gathered all of your credit cards, it’s time to determine which ones to cut up. You may want to keep one or two cards for emergencies, but the rest should be cut up. Choose the cards with the highest interest rates or balances, or the ones that you are most tempted to use.

Step 3: Cut Up Your Credit Cards

Now it’s time to actually cut up your credit cards. You can use scissors or a shredder to do this. Shredding your credit cards may be the optimal way to protect your wrist. Cut the card into small pieces so that it cannot be reconstructed. Make sure to cut through the magnetic strip and the chip if your card has one. You may also want to consider disposing of the pieces in different locations to prevent fraud.

Step 4: Notify Your Credit Card Issuers

After you have cut up your credit cards, you should notify your credit card issuers that you no longer want to use the cards. This will prevent them from sending you new cards in the future. You may also want to request that they close your accounts to prevent any unauthorized charges.

Let’s review some of the basic benefits and drawbacks of cutting up your credit cards and closing the accounts:

Potential Benefits Of Cutting Up Credit Cards:

Lowers Risk of Identity Theft

By now most consumers have come to realize that Identity Theft is a very real and very annoying crime.  In fact, many sources identify it as the fastest-growing white-collar crime in the world.  Although I will save all the measures one could take to help prevent identity theft for another post, I will say that closing an individual credit card will at least help negate any crimes with that specific account.  Sure it won’t keep someone from opening new accounts, but it will provide better peace of mind than having several old, open accounts sitting unused and exposed.

Simplifies Your Financial Accounts

Personally, this is a big one for me.  I thrive when I can fully grasp my complete financial situation with a quick review of my accounts.  For that reason, I try to minimize my accounts overall into just 1 checking, 1 saving, 1 debit card, 1 retirement account, etc…  The more simple something is the higher the probability that I maintain control. I know there are people that would gladly add complexity if it meant only a slightly better return on their money or a slightly better reward on their spending.  Theoretically and certainly mathematically, this strategy often prevails, but in practice, I’ve come to find a simpler, slower, and more controlled approach usually wins the race.

Prevents Unexpected Or Erroneous Fees & Changes of Service

Until recently I wouldn’t have given much merit to this benefit.  However, in the last two months, I’ve heard three separate stories about charges that have been mysteriously put on old credit accounts.  In one case specifically, someone recounted their frustration to me that a credit card recently added a $52 dollar charge from 5 years ago! This was a legitimate charge that for whatever reason had not shown up on the monthly statement.  The gentleman I reference is of course vehemently fighting the charge and will most likely not wind up paying anything.  He does, however, get the pleasure of jumping through hoops and hopping from supervisor to supervisor for the next month or so as it gets cleaned up.  As the economy continues to slow, don’t be surprised to see this kind of stories on the rise.

Uses Less Paper/Energy To Issue Paper/E-statements

Although most credit card companies won’t send monthly statements on older accounts with no balances, some do still send year-end statements, changes in services announcements, random letter with one-page of legal crap on it, etc…  I’m always a fan of less junk mail, which is why I always strive to use electronic notifications and statements.  Even electronically though, the less useless and unnecessary information that I have to process the better.

Makes It Easier To Review Credit Reports For Errors

I recently saw a video that claimed that over 75% of all credit reports of some sort of error on them.  Of course, the burden falls squarely on you to notice, reconcile, and ultimately report any errors.  Luckily, the burden then gets shifted and although it might be a rather scary process at first, cleaning up your report is simple if you are able to carefully follow instructions.  I always suggest checking credit reports at least every 4 months (using AnnualCreditReport.com to pull one free every year from each of the three bureaus).  This process is made exponentially easier if any unused and unnecessary accounts are closed.  While it’s still good to scan closed accounts, the majority of errors will occur on your open accounts.

Eliminates The Opportunity To Frivolously Re-Enter Debt

Obviously, this will be a huge benefit for some and a rather small benefit for others.  I always find that people, including me, think they are better, faster, stronger, and smarter than they really are.  In other words, the majority of us always think we are the exception or that certain theories don’t apply to us.  I caution you to really review your spending with credit vs. debit/cash.  Oftentimes, especially online, it’s significantly easier (psychologically and physically) to purchase things with credit than with debit/cash.  Leaving credit cards open also makes it psychologically harder to save an emergency fund, after all you could pay down debt with that fund and always use the credit in an emergency.  Again, honestly ask yourself if your so-called “emergencies” tend to happen more frequently when you use a credit card as backup rather than a hard-saved emergency fund.

Potential Drawbacks Of Destroy Credit Cards:

If Active Balances Exist, Raises Your Credit Utilization Rate

Your “credit utilization” accounts for 30% of your overall credit score.  For example, if you had $3,000 in debt and $20,000 in credit limits on your revolving accounts you would be using 15% of your overall credit.  Closing a $10,000 credit card with no balance on it would then double your “credit utilization” rate to 30%.  This change would have a negative effect on your credit score.  It should be noted that if you owe no debt cutting all of your credit cards would obviously not change your utilization rate.  However, having no open revolving accounts would negatively affect your “mix of credit” which accounts for 10% of your credit score.

Closing Older Accounts Will Lower Average Credit Length/History

Your account history accounts for 15% of your overall credit score.  Closing any accounts that are older than your average credit length will negatively impact your credit score.  If someone were to review your overall credit report they could still see an established history, however, that won’t help your actual numerical score.

A Lot Of Home/Car Insurance Companies Use Credit Scores When Determining Rates

This trend has really picked up in the last couple of years and is even being fought in the courts in more than a handful of states.  The latest figures I’ve read say that 75-80% of all insurer now uses credit scores when figuring rates.  On the flip side that still leaves 20%-25% of companies that don’t use credit scores at all.  For example, my personal insurance agent informed me that they currently do not use credit reports for the majority of clients.  However, he was quick to point out that unless legislation comes out banning this practice, he sees the industry continuing to head in that direction.

A Few Employers Look At Credit Scores Before Hiring

This trend is a lot less frequent but is still a potential drawback.  This only commonly takes place with higher-paying careers within the financial sector.  Even then, most experts are quick to point out that companies are much more likely to look at the credit report as a whole, rather than just the score in these situations.

Inability To Earn Reward Points, Cash-Back, Or Airline Miles

Usually, even the best systems, using multiple cards for different categories, will return just over 2% on combined purchases.  More frequently, the average consumer earns between 1% and 1.5% in rewards.  Although this is certainly a tangible amount in the long run, multiple surveys/experiments have been conducted on the increase in spending due to credit.  From average ticket price comparisons at McDonald’s to increased spending at the grocery store, those people who use credit on average spend 12-18% more depending on which survey you read.  That’s why it’s such an effective business practice to encourage using credit even though the credit card companies charge the vendor’s fees.  Theoretically, only charging recurring utility bills and other fixed expenses without increasing spending could result in a 2% return on those expenses.

Process

Obviously, in order to make the commitment to “declare war” and cut of your credit cards, you will have to find more value in the potential benefits than in the potential drawbacks.

I personally don’t have any reason to want to use credit.  So the impact on my credit score is negligible, especially if I take time to shop around for insurance.  If I was three weeks away from closing on a home, I might choose to wait. (I might also convince my self to reevaluate buying a home while juggling consumer debt.)  I also actively choose not to play the credit card “game” in an attempt to earn 2% back on my purchases. For example, I don’t feel playing a game that encourages spending is in line with my goals to continually decrease monthly expenses.  I’ve completely eliminated any temptation there might be to carry a balance even for one-month.

Your financial goals and life experiences may be different. As I mentioned earlier, if you aren’t satisfied with your current strategies, I suggest you strongly consider stepping it up a notch.  Weigh the positives against the negatives and devise a plan that will give you the highest probability of exceeding your current goals.

If you are going to cut your credit cards, you will want to make sure to do it correctly.

  1. Call Customer Service – Usually, this number is most easily found on the back of your card or with a quick Google search.  Tell them you’d like to completely close the account.  Most of the time they will ask you why and/or transfer you to a customer retention department.  Don’t be surprised to be offered lower interest rates, special bonus points, and other perks to keep your account open.  Don’t let anyone talk you into keeping a card you don’t want at this point in the process.  Thank them for the generous offer, but insist on closing the account.  Be sure to request written confirmation once the account has been closed.
  2. Mail A Letter – The letter should be short and sweet.  It should contain your contact information at the top.  In the body, reference the phone call you made to cut the credit card along with the date you made the call.  Confirm you would like to cut the credit cards and receive written confirmation upon completion.  For extra verification, you could send this certified mail to ensure it was received and signed for.
  3. Check Credit Report After 30 Days – Often times credit card companies report once a month to the credit bureaus.  Because specific dates can vary from company to company, waiting 30 days should mean they’ve had plenty of time to close the account and report it to the agencies.  Often times you can see online that the account has been closed within 48 hours.  You should still verify your credit reports are accurate!
  4. You May Have To Repeat Steps 1-3 – Unfortunately, all too often companies will close the accounts in their systems, but will not upload the information to the credit bureaus in a timely manner.  Continue to call, mail, wait, and verify until your credit reports are accurate and up-to-date.  When in doubt, ask for a supervisor!

How To Dispose Of Your Credit Cards Properly

Once you have cut up your credit cards, it’s time to dispose of them. You have a few options for doing this. You can put the pieces of the credit cards in different trash bags or recycling bins to make it more difficult for someone to piece them back together. For example, you can also take the pieces to a shredding service or a secure disposal site.

Cut Up Your Metal Credit Cards

The first step in disposing of your metal credit cards is to cut them up into small pieces. You can use scissors or a shredder to do this. Make sure to cut through the metal and the chip if your card has one. You may need to use a heavy-duty pair of scissors or a metal cutter to cut through the card.

Determine Your Disposal Options

After you have cut up your metal credit cards, you need to determine your disposal options. You should check with your local recycling center to see if they accept metal credit cards. If they do, you can dispose of the pieces in your recycling bin. If your local recycling center does not accept metal credit cards, you will need to find another disposal option.

Find a Metal Recycling Center

If your local recycling center does not accept metal credit cards, you will need to find a metal recycling center. You can search online for metal recycling centers in your area. Make sure to call ahead to confirm that they accept metal credit cards and to find out if there are any special handling requirements.

If you cannot find a metal recycling center in your area, you can mail your metal credit cards to a recycling center. Some companies offer mail-in recycling programs for metal credit cards. Make sure to follow their instructions carefully and to include any required documentation or information.

Have you “declared war” on your credit cards?  Has the choice to cut up your credit cards or close your credit cards been positive?  Let everyone know by commenting below!

19 thoughts on “Cutting Credit Cards: How to Cut and Where to Dispose”

  1. Completely agree with the idea of placing your focus on the right things… I have an articile to this effect.

    Rather than focus on the interest rate why not put your efforts against the principle… don’t let the tail wag the dog.

    Good stuff!
    Dave

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  3. Hey Baker!

    Looks like we have very similar views. I am with you on rethinking the status quo on how we should handle our debt, credit, etc. Sometimes just ridding ourselves completely of things is by far the best option. I especially agree with the point addressing how closing accounts will eliminate their ability to charge you random fees. That has happened to me…one day a $38 charge just “shows up”. ARGH!!

    Like I addressed in my last blog post…it is immensely important for us to fully realize the true impact consumer debt has on our ability to build wealth.

    As the average Joe starts to do this more & more, this concept of “declaring war on debt” will become more & more popular!

    Matt Jabs aka DebtFREEk!

    Matt Jabs’s last blog post..Interest Amount Paid – Establish a Proper Relationship with Your Debt

  4. I’m all for never carrying from one month to the next, I agree there. Using cards is less about the 2% back or miles and more about the convenience, not having to pull wads of cash every time I need gas or go to the grocery store.
    Don’t forget, there are times you really should have a card, such as renting a car or reserving a hotel room.

  5. Just wanted to clarify one point in your story. Even if you close your card accounts, you do not lose age (at least not in the short term). Fact is, a closed account continues to age for scoring purposes. Thus, if you close a 10-year-old card — it doesn’t just stop aging right there. Instead, if will age all the way until the day it falls from your credit report (typically about ten years after you’ve closed it).

    So, closing a credit-card account does not impact your length of history or the average age of accounts in the short term. If there is an impact, it will happen way down the road.

    Marcus’s last blog post..Open Thread — Open Topic/Off Topic

  6. Paid off my credit cards in February. It’s a big bloody relief not to have remember due dates and read the crappy fine print or change in rate letters. My money is my money and the planning an use of it is for me to decide exclusively. Circumstances despite trying to plan ahead always occur.

    Family members have tried to convince me to have just one credit card. Maybe later it’s too soon and I plan on reveling in my freedom. For now I am not Visa and MC bitch and it feels damn good! Amen brother!

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  8. Baker,

    I have and still am completely for using a credit card for purchases. However, one big takeaway that I took from this article was that, if you close accounts that are newer than your average credit history, you could actually help your score.

    I played the credit card game for a while when we were paying for our outrageous wedding. The problem is that as I got older, each credit card had better perks as I had built a better history. So my most recent card offers the best offer.

    Regardless, I respect the ideas contained in this post. Simplicity/Transparency is the name of the game and what I am striving for. And yes, credit card companies are devolving each and every day. However, I do feel that maintaining one credit card is the best way to track spending.

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  11. This post is really very appreciable. your post is very advantageous for me and very good.However, one big takeaway that I took from this article was that, if you close accounts that are newer than your average credit history, you could actually help your score. each credit card had better perks as I had built a better history. So my most recent card offers the best offer.
    ==================================
    Daniel01

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  14. I canceled all my accounts! I feel great about this decision, because I only make $24,000 annually. I make enough money to pay my rent, food, and gas. I have been purchasing things that I cannot afford using my credit and this added up over the years. I have spent the last two years paying off debt, totaling $20,000, and I still owe $8,000. I should be done by the end of 2012.

    My point is, I am switching to cash only for my purchases. I have learned not to spend money that is not mine. Wow, now that I take a look at this I see that most Americans are in debt. Its really sad!

    Do youselves a favor and stop making the rich richer by using their money! Its a trick and a temptation. They make you believe you need a credit card! Its a lie! The best credit would be no credit.

    One thing that bugged me about the credit companies is that they are always changing the agreements. I received a letter from B of A telling me I would have to pay a new annual fee of $59. I had this card for 5 years and had no annual fee. Once, I was one day late on a payment because the online banking could not process during a holiday. The company charged me a $39 dollar fee and hiked my interest rate to %27 from %11. I was furious and canceled the card. The credit companies have very little grace, and this to me is un-attractive.
    Onto another reason I canceled my cards. I believe in Jesus Christ, and he teaches to owe no one. Therefore debt does not align with my faith. I have now a full dependence on the lord to provide whatever he sees fit for me to own.

    That’s all I have to say for now. Email me if you would like to comment or argue any specific points I made.

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