Call Bank of America to close your card, pay off the balance first, and confirm the closure in writing

To close a Bank of America credit card, you call their customer service line at the number on the back of your card, tell them you want to close the account, and they will process it on the spot. Before you call, pay off any remaining balance—the card cannot be closed with an outstanding debt. After the call, send a written request to Bank of America asking them to confirm the closure. This creates a paper record and protects you if a dispute arises later.

The entire process takes minutes on the phone, but the account may take 7 to 10 business days to fully close in their system. During that window, the card will still appear on your credit report as open but inactive. After closure, the account will show as closed on your credit report and remain there for up to 10 years.

Key Takeaways

  • Pay your full balance before calling, because Bank of America will not close an account with money owed.
  • Call the customer service number on the back of your card to request closure; the representative will process it immediately.
  • Follow up with a written letter to Bank of America confirming the closure request, which creates documentation of your request.
  • Closing a credit card can lower your available credit and raise your credit utilization ratio, which may temporarily affect your credit score.
  • The account will show as closed on your credit report for up to 10 years after closure.

Pay off your balance before calling

Bank of America will not close a credit card account that has an outstanding balance. If you owe money, you must pay it in full first. You can pay online through your Bank of America account, by phone during the same call you request closure, or by mailing a check to the address on your statement.

If you have a promotional rate or 0% APR offer still active, closing the card will end that offer immediately. Any remaining balance will revert to the regular purchase rate. If you are carrying a balance you plan to pay off over time, consider waiting until it is paid off before closing, or transfer it to another card before you close this one.

Call customer service and request closure

The phone number for Bank of America credit card customer service is on the back of your card. When you call, tell the representative you want to close your account. They will verify your identity, confirm your balance is zero, and process the closure. The entire call usually takes 5 to 10 minutes.

The representative may ask why you are closing the account or offer you a lower interest rate to keep it open. You are not required to explain your reason, and you can decline any offers. Once you confirm you want to close it, they will mark the account for closure and give you a confirmation number. Write down this number and the date and time of the call.

Send a written confirmation letter

After you hang up, send Bank of America a letter requesting written confirmation of the closure. Address it to Bank of America Credit Card Services at the address on your statement. In the letter, include your account number, the date you called to request closure, and the confirmation number the representative gave you. Ask them to send you written confirmation that the account is closed.

You can send this letter by regular mail or certified mail with return receipt. Certified mail costs a few dollars more but gives you proof that Bank of America received it. Keep a copy for your records. Bank of America should respond within 7 to 10 business days with written confirmation.

Understand the impact on your credit score

Closing a credit card can affect your credit score in two ways. First, it reduces your total available credit, which can raise your credit utilization ratio—the percentage of your available credit you are using. If you have other cards with balances, closing this card makes those balances represent a larger percentage of your total credit, which can lower your score temporarily.

Second, closing an account shortens the average age of your accounts if this card was older than your other cards. Older accounts help your score, so closing an old card can hurt it more than closing a new one. The impact is usually temporary and your score will recover as you continue to pay other accounts on time. If you want to keep the card open without using it, you can ask the representative to keep the account active but unused instead of closing it.

What happens after closure

Once Bank of America processes the closure, the account will show as closed on your credit report. It will remain there for up to 10 years. During that time, it will show as a closed account in good standing (assuming you paid it off before closing) and will not hurt your credit score. After 10 years, the account will fall off your credit report entirely.

You will no longer be able to use the card after closure. If you have set up automatic payments or recurring charges to this card, you must update those before you close the account or they will fail. Check your subscriptions, utilities, and other regular payments to make sure none are tied to this card.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Bank of America may reopen a recently closed account if you request it within a short window, usually 30 to 60 days. After that, you would need to apply for a new card. Contact customer service to ask if your account can be reopened before you close it if you think you might change your mind.

What if I have a pending balance transfer or promotional offer?

Closing the card will end any active promotional offers and may affect a pending balance transfer. If you have transferred a balance to this card at 0% APR, closing it will stop the promotion and the balance will revert to the regular rate. Wait until any balance transfer is complete and paid off before closing.

Do I need to destroy the physical card?

Yes, you should cut up or shred the card after closure to prevent someone from finding it and attempting to use it. Even though the account is closed, the card number still exists and could be misused. Destroying the card eliminates that risk.

Will closing the card affect my other Bank of America accounts?

No. Closing a credit card does not affect your checking account, savings account, or any other Bank of America products. Each account is separate, and closing one has no impact on the others.

How long does it take for the closure to show on my credit report?

Bank of America typically reports the closure to the credit bureaus within 30 to 60 days. You can check your credit report through AnnualCreditReport.com to see when it appears. The account will show as closed but will remain on your report for up to 10 years.