The basic steps to close a Discovery account

To close a Discovery Bank account, you contact the bank directly, confirm you have no pending transactions, move any remaining money out, and request the closure in writing. Discovery will send you written confirmation that the account is closed. The whole process usually takes a few business days once you submit your request.

Discovery Bank is a online-only bank, so you cannot walk into a branch. You will need to reach them by phone, email, or through your online account. Before you close, make sure any automatic payments or direct deposits linked to this account have been moved to another bank account — if money tries to deposit or withdraw after closure, it can cause problems with your employer or creditors.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact Discovery Bank by phone at the number on your debit card or through your online account to request closure.
  • Transfer any remaining balance to another account you control before closing, since Discovery will not hold money after the account closes.
  • Update your employer, benefits programs, and any automatic bill payments to use a different bank account before you close.
  • Request written confirmation of closure and keep it for your records in case questions arise later.

Moving your money before you close

Any balance remaining in your Discovery account must go somewhere else. You can transfer money to another bank account you own by setting up an external transfer through Discovery's online banking platform, or by having Discovery send you a check. External transfers usually take one to three business days. If you request a check, allow five to seven business days for it to arrive.

If your balance is very small — under $25 — you may decide it is not worth the effort to transfer. In that case, ask Discovery what happens to unclaimed balances. Most banks donate very small amounts to the state unclaimed property program after a set period, though you can still claim it later if you need to.

Stopping automatic payments and deposits

Before you close, you need to redirect any money flowing in or out of this account. This includes your paycheck, government benefits, insurance refunds, or any automatic bill payments you set up. Log into your Discovery account and review the last few months of transactions to see what is recurring.

For deposits like paychecks or benefits, contact your employer or the benefits program and give them your new bank account number. For automatic payments you set up (utilities, subscriptions, loan payments), log into each company's website and update your payment method. Do not rely on Discovery to forward these — if a payment bounces because the account is closed, you could face late fees or service interruptions.

How to request the closure

Call Discovery Bank's customer service number, which appears on your debit card and in your online account. Tell them you want to close your account. They will ask you to confirm your identity, verify that you have moved your money, and confirm there are no pending transactions. Some banks ask you to wait a few days after your last transaction before closing to make sure nothing is still processing.

After you speak with them, ask them to send you written confirmation of the closure by email or mail. This confirmation should include the date the account closed and your account number. Keep this document for at least one year. If a company later tries to collect a debt or charge you for something related to this account, you will have proof that it no longer existed.

What happens to your debit card

Once Discovery closes your account, your debit card will stop working when ready. You do not need to do anything special with the card — it will straightforward decline if someone tries to use it. If you want to be extra cautious, you can cut it up or throw it away, but this is not required.

If you have pending refunds or chargebacks on transactions made with this card, those will still process, but Discovery will need a way to send you the money. This is another reason to keep your account open for at least a week after your last transaction and to ask Discovery about any pending items before you close.

Timing and what to expect

The actual closure takes one to five business days from the date you request it. During this time, your account will still exist but you will not be able to use it. After the closure is final, you will not be able to log in or access any information about the account through Discovery's website.

If you closed the account because of a problem with Discovery's service, you may want to file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) before you close. The CFPB keeps a record of complaints and uses them to identify patterns of problems. You can file at consumerfinance.gov without needing a lawyer or paying a fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reopen a Discovery account after I close it?

Yes, you can open a new Discovery account at any time. However, if you closed because of a negative balance or fraud, Discovery may flag your information and deny the new account. Contact them to ask whether you can reopen before you try to explore again.

What if I have a pending direct deposit that hasn't arrived yet?

Wait for the deposit to arrive and clear before you close the account. If you close first and the deposit arrives after, Discovery will reject it and send it back to your employer. Your employer may then hold the money or require you to resubmit payment information, which can delay your paycheck by another pay cycle.

Do I need to close the account in person?

No. Discovery is an online bank with no physical branches, so you must close by phone, email, or through your online account. You cannot visit a location to close it.

Will closing the account hurt my credit score?

Closing a bank account does not affect your credit score. Credit scores are based on borrowing and repayment history, not on which banks you use. You can close a Discovery account without any impact on your credit.

What if Discovery says I owe them money?

If your account went negative and you did not pay it back, Discovery may refuse to close until you pay the balance. Ask them the exact amount owed and whether you can pay it by transfer from another bank account. Once you pay, they should allow you to close.