Credit card question...need advice from experienced adults!?

Question

I signed up for a Circuit City Chase Mastercard to purchase a laptop about 6 months ago and go 0% interest for a year. I just paid it all off and now want to cancel my credit card. Do I just cut it up or do I have to call the company? Does it hurt my credit score if I just cancel the card now that I'm done with it? I have another one that I want to keep. I just liked the Circuit City one because I could put the laptop on it. Any advice? Thanks! PS I'm a 22 year old. If that matters.

Answer 1

It's nice to finally hear someone who is managing their credit card responsibly.

The card served it's purpose. Call to cancel it then cut it up.

On your credit report, it will show your activity for the card, and it will show that the account was closed by customer request.

Your score will go up by about 5 points, since you have less debt.

I flip my balances onto 0% interest cards quite often and cancel the old ones, so I check my score and report at least once a month.

Answer 2

You need to keep that card open. Here is why!

At 22 you have very little credit history. In a few years you will begin looking for a new car loan, or even a mortgage. Your lack of credit is keeping your credit score down, and this will cost you in interest payments down the road.

I applaud you for being responsible for your debt. But the temptation to trot over to Circuit City for more computer toys is sometimes overpowering! (Yeah. me too).

If you don't think you can controll yourself with this card in the house, cut it up. They don't charge you finance fees when you have no balance on that card.

Remember, it's generally recommended that you keep about 2-3 open sources of credit for your history. Having only 1 credit card (no matter how responsible you are) is going to keep you from having excellent credit.

Answer 3

It is the good thing that you paid it off before time come. If you want to cut it up, you should call the card company first. because tcehnically, you cut the card, chase did not know anything about you cut the card.

About the hurt your credit score, depend on the balance on your other card. for example if you have 2 credit with 5000 each, total you have 10000. if you carry balance 2500. the debt ratio is 25%
if you cancelled one card, the debt ratio is 50%, it will effect your score tremenduously

Answer 4

Please ignore all advice that informs you to keep a number of credit cards open to improve your credit score. What these advisers don't tell you is that keeping credit lines open increases risk (risk that you'll use the credit, risk that it will be stolen and used by others).

When you go to get a loan, the lender considers a number of factors -- not only your FICO score. As a matter of fact, the myfico.com Web site referenced above includes this statement:

"Fact: Lenders use a number of facts to make credit decisions, including your FICO score. Lenders look at information such as the amount of debt you can reasonably handle given your income, your employment history, and your credit history. Based on their perception of this information, as well as their specific underwriting policies, lenders may extend credit to you although your score is low, or decline your request for credit although your score is high." (http://www.myfico.com/CreditEducation/FactsFallacies.aspx)

Given that this Web site is created by Fair Isaac (the company that invented the FICO score), and is assumedly biased towards using the FICO score, this is an interesting statement. Don't let lenders be lazy! Rather than basing your loan approval/intrest rate solely on your FICO score, they can do manual underwriting (where they look at your income, credit history, etc.) and make an informed decision. Don't be afraid to shop around for lenders.

This credit score worshiping has to end.

Answer 5

If you want to close your account with Circuit City Chase Mastercard, you have to send them a letter informing them that you want your credit account with them to be closed. This is necessary so that your credit report will show that your said account is closed upon your request. If it remains open even if you do not owe them anything, that will affect your credit score, because you can still use it anytime you want.

Answer 6

It won't hurt your credit score.

Just call the company and tell them you want to cancel the card.

Be sure to get a credit report to make sure the card is listed as "cancelled by cardholder's request."

Only use www.annualcreditreport.com. They're the only site that won't charge you or require you to join something.

Answer 7

You do have to call - and expect a long call with them trying hard to convince you to stay.

It is a good move to close accounts you won't be using. However, having 2 cards is always a good idea if for some reason one doesn't work (I've had this happen even with zero balance - credit card companies sometimes just screw up).

Answer 8

just keep it open and dont use it, your credit score is partially figured by the length of time accounts have been established.

Your pretty lucky to be approved fot Circuit City, electronics stores have the hardest cards to get approved for.

Answer 9

Call and cancel it just to prevent potential service charges, other than that non use shouldn't matter.

Answer 10

i would call the company then cut it up so they dont charge u an annual rate fee or a fee for card inactivity usage