How to Destroy a Metal Credit Card
Getting rid of a plastic credit card can be as easy as snipping it up with scissors or running it through the shredder — but a metal credit card is harder to destroy. With metal credit cards increasing in popularity, it’s important to know how to dispose of your old metal cards to prevent others from accessing your personal information.
The best way to dispose of your old metal card is to simply mail it back to your credit card issuer, but we’ve got several tips to help you dispose of your metal cards effectively.
How to dispose of metal credit cards
Mail your card back to the issuer
The best way to dispose of a metal card that has expired or been compromised is to mail it back to your issuer. It’s the easiest and safest way to ensure that your metal card has been destroyed properly. Often when you receive a new credit card in the mail, your issuer will include an envelope with prepaid postage to mail your old credit card back safely.
Example
If you don’t have a prepaid envelope to mail back your old credit card, you can contact your issuer through the number on the back of your card to request an envelope.
Take your card to a bank branch
If the financial institution that issued the card has physical bank or credit union branches, you may be able to turn your card in at a nearby branch. But first, call the number on the back of your card to verify that you can do this.
Cut up your card using tin snips
If you’re looking to dispose of your metal card at home, regular scissors likely won’t get the job done, especially if your card is thick or made of very tough metal. Instead, you should try cutting up your card with tin snips, which are designed to cut metal. If you go this route, be sure to cut through the magnetic stripe and EMV chip for maximum security.
Tip
Keep your card safely stored away
If your only reason for closing and destroying your metal credit card is to prevent racking up a higher balance, you may be better off storing it away in a safe place like the back of a drawer or a safe in your closet. While you may have good reasons to close a credit card — including avoiding an annual fee — there are also good reasons to keep your card open, even if you aren’t currently using it.
Closing a credit card can hurt your credit score by increasing your credit utilization ratio. Meanwhile, keeping your card open can increase the average age of your accounts over time, which can boost your credit score.
What not to do with a metal credit card
Don’t run it through a shredder or use scissors
Don’t try to run your metal credit card through the shredder. You’re more likely to damage the shredder than destroy the credit card. The same holds true for trying to cut the card up with scissors. If you’re not sure how to destroy a metal credit card on your own, it’s best to go through your credit card issuer.
Don’t trust a third-party service
Never turn to a third-party service to destroy your card — this is worth noting for all credit cards, whether metal or plastic. If someone is offering to destroy your credit card, there’s a high likelihood it’s a scam. You should avoid handing sensitive financial information to an outside party, even if your credit card has expired.
Don’t throw it directly into the garbage or recycling
It’s never a good idea to throw an old credit card directly into the trash or recycling without properly destroying it. Keep in mind that when your credit card expires, the account numbers remain the same. Only the expiration date and security code will update when you get your new card. This is an easy way to have someone steal your information.
Tip
Examples of metal credit cards
Metal credit cards are more common than they once were. Some metal cards, of course, are luxury cards with exclusive benefits and expensive annual fees. But there are also popular travel and cash back cards made of metal that have a low annual fee — or no annual fee at all.
Here are a few metal credit cards:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express
- American Express® Gold Card
- Prime Visa
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
While metal credit cards may be harder to dispose of than plastic cards, it’s not impossible — so this shouldn’t deter you from choosing a metal card over a plastic card. If you’re interested in a metal credit card, there are several options available ranging in cost and rewards structure. If you’re not sure if you should cancel the metal credit card you already have in your wallet, learn more about how closing a credit card can affect your credit score.