Back in the day, destroying a credit card you no longer use as easy as grabbing a pair of scissors or just getting some extra use out of that handy home shredder.
As more and more credit card issuers adopt the sturdier metal credit cards, safely getting rid of old credit cards is getting more complicated.
If you applied for a credit card, received one, and now looking to dispose of it for some reason, you’d find that using scissors, box cutters, or even paper shredders will no longer be enough to get the job done.
So what is the best way to destroy a metal credit card? Fret not, as today we will be sharing some tips on getting the job done. So, without further ado, let dive right into it.
Mail it back
The easiest, safest, and most common way to dispose of a metal card is to return it to the card issuer through the mail.
Almost every card issuer recommends this and provides an address and postage-paid envelope with the card when it is mailed or a replacement is issued. Requesting a prepaid envelope is often as simple as calling the phone number on the back of the card.
Drop it off at a bank
For some people walking in and speaking to a bank, the representative can also be a convenient way to dispose of a metal credit card. Most banks these days facilitate their users by accepting the metal credit card on the spot, or they can indicate other options and services.
Don’t try a shredder
Using a shredding machine to destroy a metal credit card is such a bad idea that some cards even come with a special warning about not trying this at all.
While home shredders can often handle plastic cards, even the industrial or heavy-duty office shredders likely can’t process a metal credit card, and attempting it may damage the shredding machine.
Stow it away
If you cannot determine a safe way to dispose of your metal card or you wish to keep yourself from taking on a higher balance, then stowing it away in a drawer or putting it in a safe might be the best option.
If you decide to go with this method, then make sure you keep it in a safe or someplace that is relatively inaccessible so that your information’s security won’t be compromised.
Keeping your card safely out of sight is a good solution for avoiding temptation if you don’t want to hurt your credit score by closing the account. It also allows you to maintain access to the card in case of an emergency.
Final Thoughts
A metal credit card may be a bit more complicated to destroy than the plastic one, but it is not impossible. Usually, the safest and most convenient way to destroy metal credit cards is to contact the card issuer and follow their instructions properly for disposing of your metal card.
Call the phone number on the back of your card to request a prepaid envelope for return and disposal or ask about your issuer’s preferred method.