Cut it into pieces, then scatter the pieces

The safest way to destroy a metal credit card is to cut it into small pieces with heavy-duty scissors or tin snips, then throw the pieces in separate trash bags or bins over time. Metal cards are harder to destroy than plastic ones because scissors alone often won't cut through them cleanly — you need shears designed for metal, or you risk bending the card without actually severing it.

The reason to cut it into pieces rather than throw it whole is simple: a metal card with a readable card number, expiration date, and CVV is still a card someone could theoretically use if they found it in a landfill or trash. Cutting it into pieces smaller than a few inches makes it much harder for anyone to reassemble enough information to be useful. Scattering the pieces across multiple trash days or bins makes it even less likely they'll end up in the same place.

Do not try to bend, hammer, or run a metal card through a standard home shredder. Bending rarely breaks the card completely, and shredders designed for paper can jam or break when you feed metal through them.

Key Takeaways

  • Metal credit cards require tin snips or heavy-duty metal shears to cut, not regular scissors.
  • Cut the card into pieces at least three or four times to make reassembly impractical.
  • Throw the pieces in separate trash bags or on different collection days to further reduce the chance they end up together.
  • Never put a whole metal card in a standard paper shredder, as it will jam or damage the machine.
  • If your card issuer offers a destruction service, ask them before you destroy it yourself — some want the card back for their records.

Why metal cards are harder to destroy than plastic ones

Metal cards are made from stainless steel, aluminum, or a composite material bonded to metal. The card number and other details are usually printed or embossed on the surface, which means the information doesn't disappear just because the card is bent or cracked. A plastic card, by contrast, can be snapped in half and the break is usually clean and final.

Metal cards also hold their shape. If you bend a plastic card, it stays bent and becomes unusable. A metal card will spring back to its original shape, so bending it is not a reliable destruction method. This is actually why metal cards are popular with cardholders — they're durable and feel premium — but it also means you have to work harder to make sure the card is truly gone.

Tools you'll need

You need tin snips or heavy-duty metal shears. Tin snips are inexpensive (usually under $15) and are designed specifically to cut sheet metal. They come in different styles — straight-cut, left-cut, and right-cut — but for a credit card, straight-cut snips work fine. Hardware stores, home improvement retailers, and online marketplaces all carry them.

If you don't want to buy snips, some alternatives exist. A hacksaw will cut through a metal card, though it takes longer and requires more effort. An angle grinder will destroy a card very quickly, but it's overkill for a single card and creates metal shavings that are sharp and hard to clean up. For most people, tin snips are the practical middle ground.

Step-by-step process

First, call your card issuer and tell them you're destroying the card. Some issuers want the card back for their records, and they may have a prepaid envelope or return process. If they don't, you're clear to destroy it yourself. This step takes five minutes and protects you if there's ever a question about what happened to the card.

Second, use the tin snips to cut the card into at least four pieces. Cut across the card number, the expiration date, and the CVV (the three-digit code on the back) so that no single piece contains all the information needed to use the card. Cut the chip off separately if the card has one. Don't worry about making the cuts perfect — rough cuts are fine.

Third, put the pieces in a trash bag and throw them away. If you want to be extra cautious, put different pieces in different bags and throw them out on different collection days. This is probably unnecessary for most people, but it's a simple step if you're concerned about identity theft or if you've had fraud issues in the past.

What to do if your card issuer wants it back

Many card issuers, especially those that issue metal cards as a premium feature, ask you to return the card before they close the account or issue a replacement. They usually provide a prepaid return envelope or a return address in your account settings or on their website. If they ask for the card back, don't destroy it — send it to them instead.

If you've already destroyed the card and the issuer asks for it back, call them and explain what happened. They may ask you to sign a statement saying the card was destroyed, or they may simply note it in your account. This is not a serious problem — card issuers deal with destroyed cards regularly, and they have processes for it.

Destroying the card number and other information

If you're worried about the printed or embossed card number surviving the cutting process, you can sand or file the surface of the card pieces after you cut them. This removes the raised numbers and makes the printed numbers harder to read. A metal file or sandpaper (medium to coarse grit) will do this, though it's an extra step most people don't need to take.

The chip on the card — the small metal square on the front — is harder to destroy without specialized tools. If you want to make sure the chip is unusable, you can pry it off with a flathead screwdriver or a knife and discard it separately. The chip itself is small and contains encrypted data, so even if someone had it, they couldn't use it without the card's physical structure and the PIN or other authentication. Removing it is optional but adds another layer of security if you're concerned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put a metal credit card in a regular trash can, or do I need to recycle it?

Metal credit cards are not accepted in standard curbside recycling programs because they contain plastic, glue, and electronic components mixed with the metal. After you cut the card into pieces, throw it in the regular trash. Some recycling centers accept mixed metal items, but you'd need to contact your local center to ask, and it's usually not worth the effort for a single card.

What if I don't have tin snips — can I use a regular kitchen knife?

A kitchen knife won't cut through a metal card effectively and you risk damaging the knife or hurting yourself. The card is harder than you'd expect, and a dull or flexible blade will slip off the surface. Tin snips are cheap and designed for this job — they're worth the small cost or effort to find.

Do I need to destroy the card if I'm just switching to a new one?

Yes. Even if you're replacing the card with a new one from the same issuer, the old card should be destroyed. The issuer will deactivate it so it can't be used, but the physical card with your number on it should still be cut up and discarded. This is a basic security practice that takes just a few minutes.

Is it safe to throw metal card pieces in the trash, or could someone find them and use them?

Once the card is cut into pieces, it's extremely unlikely anyone could use it. They would need to find all the pieces, reassemble them, and have access to the card's chip or magnetic stripe — and even then, they'd need your PIN or other authentication to make a purchase. Cutting the card into at least four pieces and scattering them across different trash days makes this scenario so impractical that it's not a realistic concern.

What should I do with the card if I'm moving or traveling?

If you're moving, you can destroy the card before you move or after you arrive at your new place — the timing doesn't matter. If you're traveling and want to destroy the card while away, the same process applies: cut it with whatever tools you can find, and throw the pieces away. You don't need to wait until you're home to do it.