Call Credit One to cancel, then confirm the cancellation in writing
To cancel a Credit One credit card, you need to call their customer service line and request cancellation. Credit One's phone number is on the back of your card or on your billing statement. Have your card number and account information ready when you call. The representative will process the cancellation over the phone, and you should ask them to confirm the effective date and whether any remaining balance must be paid.
After the phone call, send a written cancellation request to Credit One's mailing address. Include your name, account number, and the date you called to cancel. This creates a paper record in case there's a dispute later. Keep a copy for your files. Written confirmation protects you if Credit One later claims they never received a cancellation request.
Do not simply stop using the card and assume it will close on its own. Inactive accounts sometimes remain open, and Credit One may continue charging annual fees or interest on any balance. Actively canceling ensures the account closes when you want it to.
Key Takeaways
- Call Credit One's customer service number (found on your card or statement) and tell them you want to cancel the account.
- Pay off any remaining balance before or immediately after cancellation, since the card will stop working but the debt remains.
- Follow up your phone call with a written cancellation request sent to Credit One's mailing address to create a documented record.
- Request written confirmation of the cancellation date and keep it with your records for at least one year.
- Check your credit report a few weeks after cancellation to verify the account shows as closed.
Pay off your balance before you cancel
If you have a balance on your Credit One card, you must pay it off before canceling or immediately after. Canceling the card does not erase the debt — it only closes the account. You will still owe whatever amount is outstanding, and Credit One will continue to charge interest on it until it is paid.
If you cancel with a balance, ask the representative what payment method to use going forward. Some issuers allow you to pay by mail or online even after the card is closed. Others may require automatic payments from your bank account. Clarify this before you hang up so you know how to settle the debt.
If you cannot pay the full balance immediately, consider paying as much as you can before canceling. This reduces the interest you will owe and shows Credit One you are serious about settling the account.
Understand how cancellation affects your credit score
Closing a credit card can temporarily lower your credit score because it reduces your total available credit. If you have balances on other cards, your credit utilization ratio — the amount you owe divided by your total credit limit — will increase. A higher utilization ratio can hurt your score.
The impact is usually temporary and smaller if you pay off the Credit One card before closing it. Your score will recover over time as you continue making on-time payments on other accounts. The closed account will remain on your credit report for about seven years, which is normal.
If your credit score is important right now (for example, you are applying for a mortgage or car loan soon), you may want to wait a few months after canceling before applying. This gives your score time to recover from the account closure.
What to do if Credit One refuses to cancel
Credit One is required to cancel your account if you request it, even if you have a balance. If a representative refuses or says you must pay the balance first, ask to speak to a supervisor. Explain that you are requesting account closure and that the company must honor that request.
If the supervisor also refuses, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov. The CFPB handles complaints about credit card companies and can investigate whether Credit One violated consumer protection laws. Include details of your cancellation request, the date you called, and the representative's name if you have it.
You can also contact your state's attorney general's office, which handles consumer complaints at the state level. Having a paper trail (your written cancellation request) makes these complaints stronger.
Monitor your credit report after cancellation
Check your credit report two to four weeks after you cancel to verify that Credit One has recorded the account as closed. You can view your credit report for free once per year at annualcreditreport.com, which is the official government site. The three major credit bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
The account should show a status of "closed by consumer" or "account closed." If it still shows as open or active, contact Credit One again and ask why the cancellation was not processed. Keep records of every call and letter you send.
If the account shows as closed but you are still being charged fees or interest, contact Credit One immediately and dispute the charges. If they do not resolve it, file a complaint with the CFPB.
Keep documentation of the cancellation
Save every piece of communication related to your cancellation. This includes the confirmation number or reference number the representative gives you during the phone call, copies of any written cancellation letters you send, and any responses from Credit One. Store these documents for at least one year, preferably longer.
If you have email confirmation from Credit One, print it and keep it with your paper records. If you only have a phone confirmation number, write down the date you called, the time, and the representative's name (if they provided it). This information helps if you need to prove you canceled the account.
You should also note the date the account officially closed. This is important for your records and for tracking when the account will fall off your credit report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay my balance before canceling?
No, you can cancel with an outstanding balance, but you will still owe the debt and Credit One will continue charging interest. It is better to pay off the balance first if you can, or pay as much as possible before closing the account.
Will canceling hurt my credit score?
Closing a credit card can temporarily lower your score because it reduces your available credit and may increase your credit utilization ratio. The impact is usually small and temporary, especially if you pay off the balance first. Your score will recover over time.
What if Credit One keeps charging me after I cancel?
Contact Credit One immediately and dispute the charges. If they do not stop, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov. Keep records of all your cancellation requests and communications with the company.
How long does it take for the account to close?
Credit One usually closes the account within one to two billing cycles after you request cancellation. Ask for the exact closing date when you call. The account may remain on your credit report for seven years after closing, which is normal.
Can I reopen the account after I cancel it?
You can contact Credit One and ask to reopen the account, but they are not required to do so. It depends on your payment history and credit score. If you think you might need the card again, consider leaving it open but unused instead of canceling.