Help--My Credit Company Closed My Account

Has your credit card been declined when you tried to pay something? Then you know how embarrassing it can be. You’ll probably assume that it was declined because of insufficient funds. But what if your credit card issuer completely shut down your account and you don’t have that credit limit?

Sure, this doesn’t really happen that often. But it’s still important to be prepared. Don’t worry—we’re here to help. While there’s not a ton you can do if your credit card company closed your account, there are a few things you can do after. And there are some steps you can take to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Reasons Why Your Credit Card Was Closed

Before we go over what to do when your credit company closes your account, here are some reasons why it might have been closed:

You’re in default. Let’s say that you have a payment that’s 180 days old or more. That’s a pretty big reason for a credit card company to close your account. If they do, they’ll probably sell your debt to a collection agency as well.
You aren’t using your account. Has anyone ever told you to use it or lose it? The same applies to your account. If you haven’t used your credit card for in a while, your creditor might close it. When they’re not making any money, they’re probably not interested in keeping you around.
You’ve changed—or they have. Has anything major happened to your finances? Maybe you’ve filed for bankruptcy or your credit has taken a hit. Or maybe your credit card issuer is making major changes. Either way, the company could use it as an excuse to shut down your account.

What You Can Do if Your Credit Card is Closed

Don’t be discouraged by your account closure. Sure, it’s inconvenient. But there are a few things you can do that might help:

Reach out to your credit card company. It’s worth giving your credit card company a call. Try asking why your account was closed—you can learn from your mistakes and make sure not to do the same thing again. Your conversation with your credit card issuer could even end in a new account opening. You might even be able to get the credit card company to reopen your account—if you’re convincing.
Check on your credit score and credit report. A closed credit account could hurt your credit score. Make sure to check that your credit score didn’t go down because your account was closed. It’s also worth checking your credit report to make sure that everything’s in order. If it was closed in error, you may be able to dispute the record on your credit report and repair your credit.
Try transferring your credit limit. If you have another credit card with the issuer, you might be able to transfer your credit limit to that card. It could even help your credit utilization ratio. Try giving them a call to find out.
Take a look at your finances. If your card was closed due to inactivity or missed payments, it’s time to take a look at your finances. Will a closed credit account take a toll? Is there a reason why you never used that credit card or were unable to make payments? Go over your spending, just in case.
Get a new credit card. This might sound like a no-brainer. But after getting your credit card account closed, you might not want to bother getting another credit card. Trust us—you can and you should. Find the right card for you through Credit.com.

How to Prevent Your Credit Card from Closing

We get it—having a credit account closed isn’t great. Whether it hasn’t happened yet or you’re worried it’ll happen again, there are a few things you can do to prevent it:

Use it to pay off a subscription. We live in a world full of different subscriptions, so you’re bound to have one or two. If you have a Netflix or Hulu account, or another subscription service, use your credit card to make each monthly payment.
Only use it for online shopping. If there’s a website that you commonly shop, like Amazon or Wayfair, make your card the main card for that website. It’s an easy, mindless way to use your credit card semi-regularly.
Pay your bills on time. You might be tempted to put too many purchases on your credit card. But doing so will make it harder for you to pay your bills on time. Keep your purchases reasonable so you can pay your credit card bill on time every month.
Keep your credit score up. Your credit score is the only reason why you got your credit card. Make sure to keep your score up. Or if it’s down, try to build it back up. If you’re credit score’s in good shape, your credit card issuer should have no reason to closer your account.

Start with a Credit Card You’ll Actually Use

Getting a credit card account closed doesn’t happen very often. But still, better safe than sorry. Make sure to use your credit card every once in a while—and always pay your bills on time. And if you’re ready for a new credit card, check out our credit card marketplace. Try finding a card that actually fits your lifestyle and financial needs, so you’ll use it often and responsibly.