The fastest way to close your Credit One account
Call Credit One Bank's customer service line at 1-877-825-3242. Have your card number ready. Tell them you want to close the account. They will confirm your identity, process the closure, and tell you what happens next. The call takes about five minutes. This is faster and more reliable than doing it online or by mail.
Before you call, make sure your balance is zero. If you owe money, you must pay it first — the bank will not close an account with an outstanding balance. Once the account is closed, you will stop earning rewards (if your card has them), but you will also stop paying annual fees.
After you hang up, the closure is when ready. You can still use the card to make purchases for a short period while the system updates, but treat it as closed. Do not rely on it.
Key Takeaways
- Call 1-877-825-3242 to close your account — this is faster and more certain than online or mail methods.
- Your balance must be zero before the bank will close the account; pay any remaining balance first.
- The closure takes effect when ready after the call, though the card may work briefly while systems update.
- Check your credit report two to three months later to confirm the account shows as closed, not just inactive.
- Closing a credit card can lower your credit score temporarily because it reduces your total available credit.
What to do before you call
Pay your full balance in full. Log into your Credit One account online or call customer service to find out exactly what you owe, including any pending charges. Pay by the method the bank accepts — usually a bank transfer, check, or debit card. Wait for the payment to post before you call to close the account. If you close with a balance still owed, the bank will keep the account open and continue charging interest.
Gather any information you might need during the call. Have your card number, the phone number associated with the account, and your Social Security number or date of birth ready. The bank will ask for at least one of these to verify you are the account holder. If you have authorized users on the account, those cards will also be closed.
Consider whether you want to keep the account open. Closing a credit card reduces the total amount of credit available to you, which can lower your credit score in the short term. If this is your oldest card or one of your only cards, closing it may hurt your score more than keeping it open unused. If you want to keep the account but stop using it, you can straightforward stop charging and leave it open instead of closing it.
What happens during the call
The customer service representative will ask you to confirm your identity. They may ask for your card number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, your date of birth, or the phone number on file. Answer honestly and completely. If you cannot verify your identity, they will not close the account and will ask you to call back when you can provide the information.
Tell them clearly that you want to close the account. Do not say you want to "cancel" or "stop using" the card — say you want to close the account. This removes any confusion about whether you want to close it permanently or just stop charging. The representative may ask why you are closing it or offer you a lower interest rate or fee waiver to keep it open. You do not have to accept any offer. Repeat that you want to close the account.
Ask the representative for a confirmation number before you hang up. Write it down. Ask them to confirm the account is closed and when it will show as closed on your credit report. Most accounts show as closed within one to two billing cycles, though it can take longer. Ask whether any pending charges will still post after closure.
What happens after closure
The account closes when ready, but it will remain on your credit report for seven years (if it was in good standing) or longer (if it had late payments or went to collections). This is normal and does not hurt your credit — closed accounts in good standing actually help your score by showing you paid on time. You will not be able to use the card to make new purchases, but you can still make payments if a charge posts after closure.
Check your credit report two to three months after closure to confirm the account shows as "closed by consumer" or "closed by cardholder." You can get a free copy of your credit report once per year from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) at annualcreditreport.com. If the account does not show as closed after three months, call Credit One again with your confirmation number and ask them to investigate.
Destroy the physical card once you are sure the account is closed. Cut it up or shred it. Do not throw it away whole — someone could find it and try to use it. You do not need to wait for the bank to send you a confirmation letter, though one may arrive in the mail.
If you cannot reach customer service or want to close by mail
Credit One's phone line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time, and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time. If you cannot call during these hours, you can write to the bank's mailing address, which is printed on your statement or available on the back of your card. Include your full name, card number, and a clear statement that you want to close the account. Sign the letter and keep a copy for your records.
Mail takes longer than a phone call. A letter can take one to two weeks to arrive, and the bank may take another one to two weeks to process it. If you need the account closed quickly, the phone call is your better option. If you do mail a letter, send it certified mail with return receipt so you have proof the bank received it.
You can also close the account through the Credit One website if you have online access. Log in, go to account settings, and look for a "close account" or "account closure" option. Not all accounts have this option available online. If you do not see it, the phone call is your next best choice.
What to do if you have a balance you cannot pay right now
You cannot close the account until the balance is zero, but you have options. If you can pay part of the balance now and the rest later, call the bank and ask about a payment plan. Some banks will work with you to set up a schedule. If you cannot pay at all, the account will remain open and the bank will continue to charge interest until you pay or the account goes to collections.
If you are struggling with debt, consider whether closing this card is the right move right now. Closing an account with a balance does not erase the debt — you still owe it, and the bank will still try to collect. If you have other cards with lower interest rates, you might transfer the balance to one of those instead, then close the Credit One card once it is paid off. This takes longer but may save you money on interest.
If you are in financial hardship, contact Credit One directly to ask about hardship programs. Some banks offer temporary interest rate reductions or payment deferrals for customers facing temporary difficulties. These programs are not may provide, but it is worth asking before you decide you cannot pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my Credit One card hurt my credit score?
It may lower your score temporarily because closing the account reduces your total available credit. The impact is usually small and temporary — your score typically recovers within a few months. If this is your oldest card, the impact may be larger. Over time, a closed account in good standing actually helps your score by showing a history of on-time payments.
Can I reopen the account after I close it?
You can call Credit One and ask to reopen the account, but the bank is not required to do so. If they agree, you may have to reapply and go through the approval process again. It is easier to keep an account open and unused than to close it and try to reopen it later.
What if Credit One says they cannot close the account?
The bank can only refuse to close an account if you have an outstanding balance. If your balance is zero and they still refuse, ask to speak to a supervisor. Get the supervisor's name and the date of the call. If the problem continues, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov.
Do I need to close the account in writing, or is a phone call enough?
A phone call is enough and is actually better because you get when ready confirmation. If you want written proof, ask the representative for a confirmation number and note the date and time of your call. You can follow up with a letter if you want a paper record, but the phone call alone closes the account.
What happens to my rewards points when I close the account?
This depends on your specific Credit One card and the rewards program terms. Some cards let you redeem points before closure; others may forfeit unused points. Call customer service and ask about your rewards balance before you close the account. If you have points, redeem them first or ask the bank what happens to them after closure.