6 Tips to Destroy Old Credit Cards

Whether it’s time to look for a new credit card or your current card has been compromised online, at some point you’ll need to get rid of your credit card.

But getting rid of a credit card isn’t as simple as tracking down a pair of scissors. Desperate thieves will search through trash cans if it yields a lucrative prize: a name, a 16-digit number, and an expiration date.

So, what should you do? Here are six tips to make sure your old credit card doesn’t come back to haunt you in the future.

Put your card issuer to work

This first step is for anyone who uses a metal card. If you’re still counting on the power of traditional plastic, skip to the next tip.

Metal cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Main vieware designed to be more durable than standard plastic. Therefore, you may want to consider calling the 800 number on the back of the card and initiating the process of returning the card to the issuer so they can destroy it for you.

Just make sure any automatic or recurring payments have been transferred to another card to avoid interruptions.

Don’t burn it

Never burn your credit card. Yes, fire will melt a plastic credit card, but it can also damage your health.

Burning plastic in the fireplace can release hydrochloric acid, sulfur dioxide, furans and many other toxins that are harmful to the body.

Demagnetize the strip

As you step away from the fireplace, you may have considered a cooler option: demagnetizing your unwanted credit card using your refrigerator magnet. To do this, run the magnet back and forth along the magnetic strip of the card to ensure it demagnetizes.

Destroy the EMV chip

Even with a demagnetized strip, you should destroy the EMV chip on the card. The chip contains sensitive personal information and data. To do this, use a hammer and smash the chip until it breaks into small pieces.

Related: When Can You Downgrade Your Credit Card?

Cut the paper

Your credit card can be used easily online, where someone with bad intentions won’t need to show ID. With that in mind, it’s time to find a good pair of scissors, but it’s not as simple as cutting the card into three or four pieces.

I recommend slicing and dicing to make it impossible to put the paper back together. You can also use a shredder, as most shred plastic cards. If you don’t have a shredder, scissors will do.

Split

Finally, it may seem like a big deal, but I recommend separating small pieces of plastic into different trash cans. This will ensure that even the most cunning thief won’t find them all in one place. Remember to also update all your automatic payment accounts to avoid missing payments.

Related: How to Check Your Credit Score for Free

In conclusion

Properly disposing of your old or unused card is essential to protecting your personal information and ensuring that no one can make unauthorized or fraudulent charges to your account. If you have a metal card that you want to get rid of, contact the issuer and let them do the work for you. If you have a plastic card, follow the tips above to properly destroy it.

And remember, when you cancel your credit card, be sure to follow one of TPG’s golden rules: never sacrifice your rewards points.

Related: How to Cancel a Credit Card