Best Way To Destroy An Old Credit Card

If you’re looking to replace your credit card with a new one, either due to it expiring or finding a better deal elsewhere, you’ll want to securely dispose of your old credit card to prevent fraudsters. Here are our top tips on the best ways to destroy an old credit card to make sure you don’t fall victim to fraud!

Send your old credit card back!

If you have a metal card, for example, The Amex Platinum it’s unlikely traditional disposal methods would work. If you contact your issuer you can generally get a prepaid envelope sent out to you (or at least a return address.) Simply put your card in the envelope and let your card issuer do the heavy lifting for you!

Demagnetise the strip

Run a magnet across the strip on the back of your card. Whilst generally speaking they aren’t used anymore they can still be used maliciously if left functional! Any magnet will do (including the ones on your fridge!)

Chop/Shred your old credit card

The easiest way for a fraudster to use your card is online. So with this in mind, you want to make sure that the pieces are small enough and in different shapes/sizes to make sure it’s incredibly challenging for anyone trying to put it back together. You may find this easier if you have a powerful enough shredder to do the job for you. If you have a metal card don’t try this, stick to sending your old credit card back!

Spread the pieces

We like to spread the pieces in different bins or put a few pieces in the bin every day. This would make it extremely challenging for someone to find all the pieces and then to put them back together again.

Conclusion

Don’t forget if you’re cancelling your card to move any points you have out of your account (or you will lose them) and to change any reoccurring payments you have set up. If you have American Express membership reward points and want to keep them when cancelling a card with an annual fee see our guide here – https://pointsuncovered.com/american-express/how-to-keep-your-membership-reward-points-when-you-cancel-amex-gold-or-amex-platinum/

Do you have any tips to dispose of an old credit card? Let us know in the comments below!