Call Target's customer service line to cancel your card
The fastest way to cancel a Target credit card is to call Target's customer service team directly. The number is on the back of your physical card, or you can find it on Target.com. When you call, have your card number ready and tell them you want to close the account. They will ask a few questions — usually why you're closing it — but you can decline to answer. The cancellation takes effect immediately.
If you prefer not to call, you can also cancel through the Target app or website. Log into your account, go to your credit card settings, and look for the option to close the account. The exact steps vary slightly depending on whether you're using the app or the website, but both routes lead to the same result. You'll get a confirmation number when the cancellation is complete.
Some people worry that calling will be difficult or that Target will try to keep them as a customer. In reality, customer service representatives process cancellations routinely and won't pressure you to stay. The whole call usually takes fewer than five minutes.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your Target card or use the Target app to cancel; both methods close your account immediately.
- You do not need to pay off your balance before canceling, but any remaining balance will still be due on your regular billing cycle.
- Canceling a card will lower your available credit and may affect your credit score temporarily, especially if you have a high balance on other cards.
- After cancellation, your card will stop working, but your account history stays on your credit report for up to seven years.
What happens to your balance after you cancel
Closing your Target credit card does not erase what you owe. If you have a balance, you will still need to pay it. The card will stop working for new purchases, but your account stays open for billing purposes. Target will continue to send you statements and expect payment on your regular due date each month.
If you want to avoid interest charges, pay off the full balance before you cancel, or at least before your next billing cycle closes. If you cancel with a balance and then miss a payment, Target can report that missed payment to the credit bureaus, which will hurt your credit score.
How canceling affects your credit score
Closing a credit card can lower your credit score, but the damage is usually temporary and modest. The main reason is that closing an account reduces your total available credit. If you have other cards with balances, the percentage of credit you're using goes up, and credit scoring models penalize high usage rates.
For example, if you have $5,000 in total available credit across all your cards and you're using $2,000, your usage is 40 percent. If you close a card with a $2,000 limit, your total available credit drops to $3,000, and your usage jumps to 67 percent — even though you haven't borrowed any more money. This shift can cause a small dip in your score.
The impact is usually largest in the first month after cancellation, then gradually recovers over the next few months. If you have a strong payment history and low balances on your other cards, the dip will be smaller. If you're planning to apply for a loan or mortgage soon, you may want to wait a few months after canceling before you apply.
When to cancel versus when to keep the card open
Canceling makes sense if you're paying an annual fee and not using the card, or if you're trying to simplify your finances. The Target credit card has no annual fee, so the main reason to cancel is that you no longer want the account or you're trying to reduce the number of cards you carry.
Keeping the card open — even if you don't use it — can help your credit score because it preserves your available credit and shows a longer account history. If you're not paying a fee and the card isn't costing you anything, closing it is a choice, not a necessity. Many people keep old cards open for this reason.
If you're canceling because you're worried about overspending, that's understandable, but closing the card is not the only option. You can also remove the card from your wallet, delete it from your phone's payment apps, or ask Target to lower your credit limit. These steps reduce temptation without the credit score impact of cancellation.
What to do with your physical card after cancellation
After you cancel, cut up your physical card or destroy it so it cannot be used. Even though the account is closed and the card won't work at checkout, it's still a good security practice to make sure no one else can attempt to use it.
You don't need to return the card to Target. There's no return process or address to mail it to. Simply destroying it at home is sufficient.
How cancellation shows up on your credit report
When you close a Target credit card, the account will show as "closed by consumer" on your credit report. This notation stays on your report for up to seven years, even after the account is closed. The account history itself — your payment record with that card — also remains on your report for seven years.
A closed account is not a negative mark. Lenders can see that you closed it yourself rather than defaulting or being sent to collections, which is a neutral or slightly positive signal. The main thing lenders notice is whether you paid on time while the account was open.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen my Target credit card after I cancel it?
Yes, you can usually reopen a closed Target credit card by calling customer service or applying through the Target website. Target may reopen the account with your old account number, or they may treat it as a new application. There's no waiting period, but approval is not may provide if your credit has changed significantly since you closed it.
Will canceling hurt my credit score permanently?
No. The impact on your score is temporary. Most of the damage happens in the first month, and your score typically recovers within three to six months if you keep paying your other bills on time and keep your balances low. The closed account stays on your report for seven years, but it becomes less important to your score over time.
What if I have a pending balance or rewards points when I cancel?
Any rewards points you've earned will usually be forfeited when you close the account, so check your balance first. If you have a pending balance, you can still cancel — the balance doesn't go away, and you'll continue to owe it. Pay off the balance before canceling if you want to avoid interest charges.
Do I need to contact Target before I cancel, or can I just stop using the card?
You should formally cancel rather than just stop using the card. If you simply stop paying, Target will report missed payments to the credit bureaus, which damages your score. Canceling closes the account and stops new interest from accruing, so it's the cleaner option.