Call Discover or use online banking to close your account
You can close a Discover checking account in two ways: by calling Discover Bank's customer service line or by logging into your online account and requesting closure through the account settings. Discover does not charge a fee to close an account. The process takes a few minutes by phone and usually completes within one to three business days, though you should verify the exact timeline when you initiate the closure.
Before you close, make sure your account balance is zero or that you have arranged a transfer or withdrawal of any remaining funds. If your account has a positive balance when you request closure, Discover will typically mail you a check for that amount, which can take one to two weeks. If your account is overdrawn, you will need to pay the negative balance before the account can close.
You should also cancel any automatic payments or direct deposits linked to the account. Discover will not automatically redirect these, and missed payments or deposits can create problems with creditors or employers after the account is closed.
Key Takeaways
- Contact Discover by phone or through your online account to request closure; there is no fee to close a checking account.
- Bring your account balance to zero before closing, or Discover will mail any remaining funds as a check.
- Cancel all automatic payments and direct deposits before the account closes to avoid missed transactions.
- The closure process typically completes within one to three business days after you submit your request.
- If your account is overdrawn, you must pay the negative balance before Discover will close it.
Steps to close your account by phone
Call Discover Bank's customer service number, which appears on the back of your debit card or in your online account settings. Have your account number and a form of identification ready. Tell the representative you want to close your checking account.
The representative will confirm your identity, review your account balance, and ask whether you want any remaining funds mailed to you or transferred elsewhere. If you have an outstanding balance (money owed to Discover), they will explain what you owe and how to pay it. Once you have answered these questions, the representative will process the closure request and provide you with a confirmation number.
Write down the confirmation number and the date you called. Keep this information in case you need to follow up or verify that the account closed.
Closing your account through online banking
Log into your Discover online account or mobile app. Navigate to account settings or account management, usually found in a menu labeled "Settings," "Profile," or "Account." Look for an option to close or deactivate your account.
Discover's online closure tool will ask you to confirm your account balance and verify that you have no outstanding transactions. If you have a positive balance, you will be asked how you want to receive those funds. Complete the prompts and submit your closure request. You should receive an email confirmation with a reference number.
Online closure may take slightly longer to process than a phone call because Discover's system needs to verify the request. Check your email for updates on the closure status over the next few business days.
What happens to automatic payments and direct deposits
Discover will not automatically stop automatic payments or redirect direct deposits when your account closes. If you have set up automatic bill payments through your Discover account, those payments will fail once the account is closed. This can result in late fees from the companies you owe money to and may damage your credit if payments are missed.
Similarly, if your employer or a government agency deposits money directly into your Discover account, those deposits will be rejected after closure. You need to update your direct deposit information with your employer or the relevant agency before you close the account. This usually takes one to two pay periods to take effect, so plan ahead.
Before closing, log into your account and review the "Transfers" or "Payments" section to see what is set up. Cancel each automatic payment individually, and update your direct deposit information with your employer or benefits provider.
Handling a positive or negative account balance
If your account has money in it when you close, Discover will mail a check to the address on file. This check typically arrives within one to two weeks. The check is drawn on Discover Bank and can be deposited at any bank or credit union. Make sure the address on your account is current before you request closure.
If your account is overdrawn—meaning you owe Discover money—you cannot close the account until you pay the negative balance. You can pay this balance by transferring funds from another account, by mailing a check, or by phone. Once the balance reaches zero, you can proceed with closure.
If you close an account with a negative balance without paying it, Discover may pursue collection action or report the debt to credit bureaus. It is better to settle any outstanding balance before closure.
Verifying that your account is actually closed
After you receive confirmation that your account is closed, log into your Discover online account a few days later to verify that the account no longer appears in your account list. If the account still shows up, contact Discover to confirm the closure was processed.
You should also check your credit report a few weeks after closure to make sure the account is marked as closed by the account holder (not by the bank due to inactivity or default). You can view your credit report for free once per year at annualcreditreport.com, which is the official site run by the three major credit bureaus.
Keep your confirmation number and any emails from Discover for at least one year. If a problem arises—for example, if a payment is mistakenly sent to the closed account—you will have proof of when and how you closed it.
What to do if you have trouble closing your account
If Discover will not close your account because of an outstanding balance or a pending transaction, ask the representative or online system to explain what is blocking the closure. Common reasons include an overdraft, a pending debit card charge that has not yet cleared, or a hold placed by Discover for fraud investigation.
If there is an overdraft, pay it immediately. If there is a pending charge, wait a few business days for it to clear, then try closing again. If there is a hold, contact Discover to find out when it will be lifted and when you can close the account.
If you believe Discover is wrongly refusing to close your account, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov. The CFPB investigates complaints against banks and can compel them to respond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my Discover checking account hurt my credit?
Closing a checking account does not directly affect your credit score because checking accounts do not appear on your credit report. However, if you close the account while it is overdrawn and do not pay the balance, Discover may report the debt to credit bureaus, which will harm your credit. Pay any negative balance before closing.
Can I reopen a Discover checking account after I close it?
Yes, you can open a new Discover checking account after closing one. However, if you closed the account due to an overdraft or other issue, Discover may review your banking history before approving a new account. There is no waiting period, but approval is not automatic.
What if I close my account but a payment is still pending?
Pending transactions can delay account closure. Wait for pending charges to clear before requesting closure. If a charge is stuck in pending status for more than a few business days, contact Discover to have it cleared or cancelled, then close the account.
Do I need to destroy my Discover debit card after closing the account?
Yes, you should destroy your debit card by cutting it in half or shredding it. The card will no longer work once the account is closed, but destroying it prevents someone from finding it and attempting to use it. There is no need to return it to Discover.
How long does it take for a check to arrive if I have a positive balance?
Discover typically mails a check within one to two weeks of account closure. The check is sent to the address on file in your account. Once mailed, delivery depends on your postal service and usually takes three to five business days. If you do not receive the check within three weeks, contact Discover with your confirmation number.