How to Destroy a Metal Credit Card?

Why do I need to destroy my Credit Card?

Once you have canceled your credit card or you are no longer using it, common practice is to destroy it so that nobody can get their hands on the card and potentially make fraudulent purchases. Banks recommend destroying your credit card as soon as possible to keep the information safe and out of the hands of anyone but you. However, there are proper ways to destroy your cards, plastic or metal, because cutting them in half is not enough. Criminals can piece together parts of the credit card to discern the CVV, the account number, and the expiration date. The method with which you destroy your card is important to keep your information safe. 

How do I destroy my Credit Card?

There are many ways to destroy your credit card, and it is all about how readily available these methods are. However, it is definitely not complicated to destroy a credit card. Usually, scissors or a shredder works to destroy a credit card effectively. 

Scissors

Scissors do a fine job of destroying a credit card. However, you must be careful about how you use those scissors. There are many instances of people not cutting up their credit cards enough and then having their information stolen because thieves can piece together the information. We recommended cutting the credit card into many irregular pieces by making sure to cut through your signature, the CVV, the credit card number, and the expiration date. The more pieces you cut the card into, the safer your information is. Therefore, it is important to spend time cutting your credit card into many different pieces if you want to use scissors to destroy them.

Shredder

This method is self-explanatory- all you have to do is run your credit card through a shredder to cut the card up into little pieces. There are specific shredders that have cross-cutting functions that help further protect your credit card information. These shredders are more expensive than regular ones, but if you want to buy a shredder to keep your credit card information safe, then make sure there is a cross-cutting function. Shredders save you time and ensure that your information is safe and secure. 

Even more Precaution

When destroying your credit card, you should always destroy the magnetic stripe and the chip to scramble the sensitive data stored within the credit card. This can easily be done by running a magnet along with your credit card and on the chip to stop your credit card’s ability to be read at in-person pay points. Doing this adds an extra layer of security and peace of mind when you are destroying your credit cards.

Another tactic you can use to keep your information safe is to spread out the cut-up credit cards across different trash bags so that the information is separated and kept safe. Although the actual likelihood of someone looking through your trash to find a credit card is unlikely, it is always important to keep your sensitive information safe even if there is no immediate threat.

What if the Credit Card is Metal?

Many credit cards have the selling point that they are metal, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, but what does that mean for destroying them? They, like all credit cards, need to be properly disposed of so that your information is kept safe. Although it is harder to destroy metal credit cards with traditional methods such as a shredder and scissors, there are other methods that can help you destroy your metal card. 

Send it back

You have the option of sending your metal card back to the issuer to ensure that the card is properly disposed of. This may be the best option if your bank gives you the option because they have the facilities to get rid of the card while also keeping your information safe. When you get a new card, they usually have an option to send the old card back, which is usually the best option so you are not responsible for disposing of the card. Issuers are also starting to implement recycling programs that help get rid of the card in an environmentally friendly way. 

You can also always go in-branch to get rid of the card if you do not want to wait for the envelope through the mail. Chase Bank confirmed that they will accept old credit cards in person so that they can be properly destroyed. If you want to get rid of your card as soon as possible, then going in-branch might be the best option. 

Metal shears 

Just like scissors, if you have tin snips or metal shears, you can easily cut the metal credit card into many irregular pieces to destroy it. All the same, advice applies for metal credit cards as well so make sure to scramble the data and cut up the credit card well so that no information can be stolen or compromised. It is definitely harder to get the proper metal shears to cut up credit cards, so the best option might be seeing if your local branch can get rid of it.

Store it away

You can always store your old card away in a filing cabinet or somewhere safe if you do not want to cancel the account but simply stop using the card. This is for people who do not want to hurt their credit score and just want to get a new card without getting rid of the old one. 

The Best Method

For regular credit cards, the best method would be to shred it in a cross-cutting shredder so that the pieces are small and irrecoverable. This is to ensure that absolutely no one can get access to your information. For metal credit cards, the best option may be to give the card back to the issuer because they have the tools necessary to dispose of the credit card. If you want to do it yourself, you can always get metal shears or tin snips to cut up the card. No matter which method you use, you should always be careful about how you are destroying your credit card. Keeping your information safe is a priority, even when you are getting rid of a credit card.