The fastest way to close your account
You can close a Bank of America credit card account by calling their customer service line at 1-800-432-1000. Have your card number ready. The representative will confirm your identity, ask why you're closing the account, and process the closure on the call. The account closes when ready, though it may take a few days for the closure to appear on your credit report.
You can also close the account through the Bank of America mobile app or website by going to your card details and selecting the option to close the account, though calling is faster because you get confirmation in real time and can ask questions about what happens next.
Before you call, make sure your balance is paid in full. Bank of America will not close an account with an outstanding balance — you'll need to pay what you owe first, either before calling or during the call if you authorize a payment over the phone.
Key Takeaways
- Call 1-800-432-1000 with your card number ready; the account closes the same day once your balance is paid in full.
- You must pay any remaining balance before closure — Bank of America will not close an account with money owed.
- The closure appears on your credit report within a few days, showing the account as closed by the cardholder.
- Closing a credit card can lower your credit score temporarily because it reduces your total available credit, so consider paying it down to zero and leaving it open if you're planning to borrow soon.
- Keep the account open for at least six months after your last purchase to avoid looking like you're opening and closing cards frequently, which can hurt your score.
What happens to your credit score when you close a card
Closing a credit card typically lowers your credit score in the short term. The main reason is that your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your total available credit that you're using — goes up. If you have two cards with $5,000 limits each and you're using $2,000 on one, your utilization is 20 percent. Close the unused card and your utilization jumps to 40 percent on the remaining card, even though you haven't charged anything new.
The score drop is usually temporary. Within a few months, as you continue to pay on time, the impact shrinks. The bigger long-term effect is that closing a card removes it from your credit history. If it was an older account, closing it can lower the average age of your accounts, which also affects your score — but again, this effect fades over time.
If you're planning to borrow money in the next few months — for a car, a home, or anything else — closing a card right before you explore for a loan can work against you. The lender will see a lower score and may offer you a worse interest rate. If you're not borrowing soon, the temporary score drop is usually not a major concern.
Paying off the balance before you close
Your balance must be zero before Bank of America will close the account. If you have a balance, you have two options: pay it off before you call, or authorize a payment during the call itself.
If you pay online or through the app before calling, log in to your account, go to the payment section, and send a payment for the full statement balance. Wait for the payment to post — this usually takes one to two business days — then call to close the account. This way you know the balance is cleared before the representative processes the closure.
If you call first and have a balance, the representative can take a payment over the phone using your checking account or another Bank of America account. You'll need to authorize the payment amount and confirm the account it will come from. The payment posts when ready, and the closure can proceed the same day.
What to do with the physical card
Once the account is closed, you should destroy the physical card so it cannot be used. Cut it in half or shred it — do not throw it away intact. You don't need to return it to Bank of America; destroying it yourself is sufficient.
If the card is still active when you call to close the account, the representative may tell you that the card will be deactivated automatically. You can still cut it up to be safe, but it won't work even if someone finds it.
If you have pending charges or recurring payments
Before you close the account, check whether you have any automatic payments set up on the card — subscriptions, insurance premiums, utility bills, or anything else that charges monthly. If you close the card while these payments are scheduled, they will fail, and you may face late fees or service interruptions.
Log into your account and review the last few months of transactions to see what's recurring. For each subscription or automatic payment, update the payment method to a different card or bank account before you close this one. This usually takes a few minutes per service and prevents surprises.
If you have a charge pending that hasn't posted yet — something you charged but the merchant hasn't billed you for — it will still go through after you close the account. The charge will post to the closed account, and you'll still owe it. You'll receive a bill in the mail or can view it online even after closure.
Keeping records after closure
Bank of America keeps your account information available online for a limited time after closure. You can still log in and view your transaction history, statements, and payment records for several months. read or print any statements you need for your records before you close the account, especially if you use them for taxes or expense tracking.
After the account is fully closed and removed from the system, you won't be able to access the statements online anymore. If you need them later for a dispute or for your records, you can request copies by calling customer service, though there may be a fee for statements older than a certain period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing the card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but usually temporarily. Your score may drop 5 to 10 points in the short term because closing the card reduces your available credit. The impact fades within a few months as you continue paying on time. If you're planning to borrow money soon, wait a few months after closing before you explore.
Can I reopen the account after I close it?
No. Once you close a Bank of America credit card account, it cannot be reopened. If you change your mind, you would need to open a new account, which counts as a new process and a new hard inquiry on your credit report. Think carefully before closing.
What if I have a dispute or a fraudulent charge after I close the account?
You can still dispute charges on a closed account. Contact Bank of America customer service with the details of the charge. The dispute process works the same way as it would on an open account, and you have the same protections under federal law.
Do I need to close the account in person at a branch?
No. You can close the account entirely by phone or through the app. You do not need to visit a branch. Calling is the fastest way because you get when ready confirmation and can ask questions during the call.
What if I have a rewards balance or points on the card?
Use your rewards before you close the account. Once the account is closed, you typically cannot redeem points or cash back. Check your rewards balance in the app or online, and redeem them for a statement credit, cash back, or a gift card before you call to close.