If you have cut up your credit card to stop yourself from spending, you may still be able to use it under certain circumstances.
However, if you have discarded the card and cannot remember the number, you'll need to contact the issuer for a replacement card. This can take a few days to arrive.
Need a new credit card? Compare offers from Australia's leading banks and find a better credit card on Finty.
Coming up next
Key takeaways
- Cutting up your credit card doesn't deactivate the account.
- You can still use the card for online or phone transactions if you have a copy of the card details.
- To put a stop on all transactions, contact the issuer and close or freeze the account.
Using a cut-up card
Does cutting up a credit card close the account?
As far as your credit card issuer is concerned, cutting up a card will not close your credit card account. You will still be charged the annual fees, and interest will accumulate on whatever balances remain unpaid.
People cut up their credit cards because they need to keep the card account open but don't trust themselves not to use it. And, of course, closing a credit card that you have used for a long time and is in good standing can damage your credit to some degree.
Paying in stores
Can a credit card be used after cutting it up?
Suppose you are cutting up a card for security reasons. In that case, you may be misguided because you — and anyone else with the details — can still use the card online as long as they know the card number, expiration, security number (CVV/CVV2/CVC), and the billing address.
If you have cut up your credit card into little pieces, you will not be able to pay for something using it in a store. Merchants will be suspicious of anyone using a damaged card and may ask to see evidence of your identity before accepting payment.
Shopping online
Can a credit card be used to shop online after cutting it up?
Assuming you have a record of the number, expiration date, and security number (CVV/CVV2/CVC), you may still be able to use a cut-up credit card online. If you tape up the card and try to use it to withdraw cash from an ATM, the card will likely be seized or rejected.
FAQs
Can a store cut up your credit card?
In the past, some stores would have cut up a credit card if they were flagged as stolen or if there were issues with authorisation. This is not common practice nowadays because of the prevalence of real-time electronic verification. Rather than cutting up a suspicious or declined card, merchants will instead decline the transaction and/or ask for an alternative payment method.
Is it illegal to cut up your own credit card?
No, it's not illegal to cut up your own credit card. In fact, many people decide to cut up their credit card without closing the account as a way of managing their spending.
Is it illegal to cut up someone else's credit card?
Cutting up someone else's credit card without their consent could be considered destruction of personal property or even theft.
