The three ways to close a Bank of America credit card account

You can close a Bank of America credit card by phone, online through your account, or in person at a branch. Phone is fastest — you call the number on the back of your card, confirm your identity, and the representative processes the closure while you wait. Online closure through your Bank of America account works if you have a straightforward situation with no balance and no pending transactions. In-person closure at a branch takes longer but gives you a paper record of the request.

Before you close the account, pay off any remaining balance. Bank of America will not close an account with an outstanding balance — they will either ask you to pay it first or keep the account open until it is paid. If you have pending charges or recent transactions still processing, wait for them to clear before calling.

The closure itself takes effect when ready once confirmed, but the account remains visible in your credit history for up to ten years. This is normal and does not harm your credit score after the first few months.

Key Takeaways

  • Pay off your full balance before closing — Bank of America will not close an account with money owed.
  • Phone closure through the number on your card is the fastest method and gives you when ready confirmation.
  • Online closure works only if your account has zero balance and no pending transactions.
  • The account will remain on your credit report for years after closure, which is standard and expected.
  • Request written confirmation of closure by mail if you need a paper record for your files.

Closing by phone: the step-by-step process

Call the customer service number on the back of your credit card. Have your card and a form of ID ready. The representative will ask you to confirm your full name, the last four digits of your card, and your Social Security number or account number to verify your identity.

Once verified, tell them you want to close the account. They will ask why — this is optional to answer, but they may offer retention options like a lower interest rate or waived annual fee. If you want to close anyway, say so clearly. They will confirm the account has a zero balance and no pending transactions, then process the closure. The entire call usually takes five to ten minutes.

Ask the representative for a confirmation number before you hang up. Write it down with the date and time of the call. If you want written confirmation mailed to you, ask them to send it — some representatives will do this automatically, others only if you request it.

Closing through your online account

Log into your Bank of America account on their website or mobile app. Navigate to your credit card account and look for account settings or account management options — the exact location varies depending on whether you are using the website or app, but it is usually under a gear icon or "Settings."

Select the option to close the account. Bank of America will show you a confirmation screen that lists your account number and current balance. If your balance is not zero, you cannot proceed — you must pay it off first. If the account is ready to close, confirm the request.

Online closure is when ready, but you will not receive a confirmation number the way you do over the phone. Take a screenshot of the confirmation screen for your records. If you need written confirmation, call the number on the back of your card after closing and request that they mail you a letter confirming the closure date.

Closing in person at a Bank of America branch

Bring your credit card and a government-issued ID to any Bank of America branch. Tell the teller or account representative that you want to close the credit card account. They will pull up your account, confirm your identity, and check that your balance is zero.

The representative will process the closure and print a receipt showing the account number, closure date, and confirmation. Keep this receipt — it is your proof of closure. If you want additional documentation, ask them to note on the receipt that the account was closed at your request, or ask them to provide a separate letter.

In-person closure takes longer than phone or online because you have to travel to a branch and wait for an available representative, but it gives you an when ready paper record and the chance to ask questions face-to-face.

What happens to your credit score after closure

Closing a credit card account can cause a small, temporary drop in your credit score — usually between five and ten points. This happens because closing the account reduces your total available credit, which changes your credit utilization ratio (the percentage of your total credit limit that you are using across all accounts). The impact is temporary and typically recovers within a few months.

The closed account remains on your credit report for up to ten years, depending on whether it was in good standing. An account closed in good standing (no missed payments, no collections) stays longer than one closed with a negative history. Having a closed account on your report is normal and does not hurt your score — lenders expect to see closed accounts.

If you are concerned about the impact on your score, consider keeping the account open but unused instead of closing it. This preserves your available credit and avoids the temporary score dip. You can ask Bank of America to waive the annual fee if that is why you want to close it.

What to do if you have a balance or pending transactions

If your account has a balance, you must pay it in full before Bank of America will close the account. You can pay online through your account, by phone, by mail, or in person at a branch. Once the payment clears — usually one to three business days — you can proceed with closure.

If you have pending transactions (charges that have not yet posted to your account), wait for them to clear before closing. Pending transactions typically post within one to three business days. Check your account a few days after your last transaction to confirm everything has posted, then close.

If you are closing because of fraud or unauthorized charges, contact Bank of America's fraud department first. They may place a hold on the account while they investigate. Once the investigation is complete and the fraudulent charges are removed, you can close the account normally.

After you close: what to expect

Your card will stop working when ready after closure. If you have automatic payments set up on this card (subscriptions, utilities, insurance), update those accounts with a different payment method before closing. Bank of America will not process new charges after the account is closed, and your service providers may charge late fees if payments fail.

You will continue to receive statements for a few months after closure if there are any remaining transactions or credits processing. Once everything has cleared, the statements will stop. Keep these final statements for your records.

If you need to dispute a charge after closure, you can still do so — the account closure does not prevent you from filing a dispute. Contact Bank of America with the transaction details and they will investigate even though the account is closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reopen a Bank of America credit card after I close it?

Bank of America can reopen a recently closed account if you call within a short window — usually 30 to 60 days, though this varies. After that window, you would need to open a new account. If the account was closed in good standing, reopening is usually straightforward. If it was closed due to fraud or other issues, reopening may be harder.

Will closing my credit card hurt my credit score?

Closing a credit card typically causes a small, temporary drop in your score — usually five to ten points — because it reduces your available credit. The impact is temporary and usually recovers within a few months. The closed account remains on your credit report for years, which is normal and does not continue to harm your score.

What if I have an annual fee and want to close before paying it?

If your annual fee is coming due and you want to close before paying it, call Bank of America and ask if they will waive the fee. Many representatives will waive it to keep you as a customer, or they may offer a lower-fee card instead. If they refuse, you can close the account, but you will still owe the fee — they may charge it to a remaining balance or send you a bill.

Do I need to destroy my physical card after closing?

You should destroy your card by cutting it in half or shredding it, but it is not required for the account closure to take effect. The account closes regardless of what you do with the physical card. Destroying it prevents accidental use and protects against fraud if the card is lost or stolen.

Can I close a Bank of America credit card if I have a balance transfer on it?

No — you must pay off the balance transfer in full before closing. Bank of America will not close an account with any outstanding balance, including balance transfers. Pay the balance first, wait for it to clear, then close the account.