We spend a lot of time discussing the best credit cards for various earning categories. We have entire articles dedicated to the best credit cards for gas, supermarkets, cruises and more. We also have a guide to the best credit cards for dining.
16.08.2024 - 20:04 / thepointsguy.com
Whether it's time to look for a new credit card or your current card has been compromised online, you're going to need to dispose of your credit card at some point.
But getting rid of a credit card isn't as simple as tracking down a pair of scissors. Desperate thieves will dig through trash cans if it leads to a profitable prize: a name, a 16-digit number and an expiration date.
So, what should you do? Here are six tips to ensure your old credit card won't come back to haunt you in the future.
This first step is for anyone who uses a metal card. If you're still counting on the power of traditional plastic, move on to the next tip.
Metal cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Prime Visa, are 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 sending the card back to the issuer so it can destroy the card for you.
Just make sure that any automatic or recurring payments have been moved to another card so you don't experience interruptions.
Never burn your credit card. Yes, fire will melt a plastic credit card, but it can also damage your health.
Burning plastic in a fireplace can release hydrochloric acid, sulfur dioxide, furans and several other toxins that are harmful to the body.
Moving away from the fireplace, you may have considered a cooler option — demagnetizing your unwanted credit card using the magnet on your refrigerator. To do this, run the magnet along the magnetic strip on the card back and forth to ensure it is demagnetized.
Even with a demagnetized strip, you should destroy the card's EMV chip. The chip contains sensitive personal information and data. To do so, use a hammer and smash the chip until it is broken into small pieces.
Related: When can you downgrade your credit card?
Your credit card can easily be used online, where someone with bad intentions won't need to show an 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 severe slicing and dicing to render futile any effort to piece the card back together. You can also use a shredder, as most can handle shredding plastic cards. If you don't have a shredder, scissors will suffice.
Lastly, this may sound like overkill, but I recommend separating the tiny pieces of plastic into different trash cans. This will ensure that even the craftiest thief won't find them all in one location. Remember to also update all of your auto-pay accounts to avoid missing any payments.
Related: How to check your credit score for free
Proper disposal of your old or unused card is essential to
We spend a lot of time discussing the best credit cards for various earning categories. We have entire articles dedicated to the best credit cards for gas, supermarkets, cruises and more. We also have a guide to the best credit cards for dining.
While we love earning travel rewards here at TPG, there's also some real value in using a cash-back credit card to earn cold, hard cash back in your pocket. There are several cards that will give you a solid 2% cash back on every single purchase you make — with hardly any effort.
I turned 40 in 2022. Along with checking a different box for "age range" on forms these days, I'm also taking a fresh look at both my credit and my credit card strategy.
I have long been a wine and spirits writer and frequent wineries, breweries, and distilleries when I travel. While on various trips with our now 5-year-old daughter, we have visited many different craft breweries , and she's even been to a distillery or two.
Deciding on a credit card for the best travel perks may have just gotten easier thanks to a new study.
Many people newer to points and miles initially gravitate toward airline programs. That isn't a huge surprise — the ability to get to your destination for almost free is a logical first step. But what about once you arrive?
I used to think that paying an annual fee for a credit card was a terrible idea and a waste of money.
Frontier Airlines is adding a new perk to its airline credit card, making it easier than ever to jet around the country on an epic ski or golf trip.
Seeing unauthorized charges on your credit card can be a headache. Removing these charges from your account and getting a replacement card isn't fun, either.
Many people use the terms "credit card" and "charge card" interchangeably. "No preset spending limit" is sometimes thrown into the mix. And while these cards have many similarities, they aren't the same.
When you apply for a great travel rewards card, the last thing you want is to be turned down. The sign-up bonus, the benefits and the points earned are luring you in, so you'll want to do everything possible to be approved.
One of the first lessons I learned when I got into the points and miles hobby is to put everything possible on a travel rewards credit card. However, it's also important to choose the best card to make sure that you get the biggest bang for your buck. This is especially true when it comes to making a large purchase. So, today I want to discuss nine things to consider next time you plan on swiping your credit card for a significant amount of money.