HDFC credit cardholders can close or cancel their credit cards using the methods listed below:
- By calling customer care: HDFC Bank credit card holders can cancel their credit cards any time by calling the toll-free number 1800-425-4332.
- Cardholders can download the Credit Card Closure Form from www.hdfcbank.com and fill it up. After filling it up, they can send it to the Manager, HDFC Bank Credit Cards, PO Box 8654, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai-600041. Alternatively, they can write to the manager of the corporate office at the same address. Cardholders are required to mention important details like their card number, name, address, and contact details. However, they should not divulge confidential details like the card’s CVV number and PIN.
- Once the process of cancellation is initiated, the cardholder should cut the concerned credit card diagonally. They should also be aware of the fact that once they cancel or close the primary credit card, the add-on credit cards that have been procured will get terminated automatically.
Things To Remember Before Cancelling Or Closing An HDFC Credit Card
While it is perfectly normal for a cardholder to initiate a process to deactivate or cancel their HDFC credit card whenever they want to, there are a few things that they should check before going forward with the process. Listed below is a checklist of things that the cardholder needs to go through before initiating a credit card cancellation process with HDFC:
- Payment of Dues: Before canceling a credit card, the cardholders has to make sure that all the outstanding balance or EMIs on that credit card has been paid. If they initiate the process of cancellation without paying the outstanding balance or settling the EMIs, the bank will notify them via a call or an email on their registered phone number or email id, respectively. Once the bank finds out that the cardholder is yet to settle his dues on the credit card that they want to close or cancel, they will not go forward with the process. According to the terms and conditions laid by HDFC, it is mandatory for the cardholder to clear the outstanding amount before raising a cancellation or closure request with the bank.
- Redemption of Reward Points: Before raising a request for cancellation of a credit card, the cardholders are advised to check the number of unredeemed reward points. They can use these points to bag attractive products from the bank’s rewards catalog. They can also use these points to bag handsome discounts on other products and services.
- Should not use the credit card just before cancellation: If the cardholder uses the credit card that they wish to cancel just before closing it, the bank will not take the process forward. Fresh dues on credit cards that are lined up for cancellation lead to termination of the process. The bank will go ahead with the process only once the fresh dues are paid off.
- Check the latest statement for fraudulent use: Before canceling their credit card, cardholders should thoroughly check their last credit card statement to make sure that no fraudulent transaction has been made on their card. They must also destroy the card by cutting it diagonally once the card has been terminated by the bank following their request.
Does A Cancelled Or Closed Credit Card Affect The Cardholder’s Cibil Score?
A canceled or closed credit card will only affect a cardholder’s CIBIL score if they own more than a single card and use them all. In such a scenario, canceling a credit card would mean a reduction of their credit limit and an increase in the credit utilization ratio. Hence, it can have a negative impact on the cardholder’s CIBIL score. However, since credit cards can be used to build a credit score from scratch, canceling it might not be a great idea if the cardholder has no other means to build a CIBIL score.
How To Reactivate A Closed Or Cancelled HDFC Credit Card?
Applicants can download the application form for reactivation of closed credit card account from the website, www.hdfcbank.com. Once they fill it up, they can send it to HDFC Bank Cards Division, PO Box 8654, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai-600041. Once all the necessary documentation and verification is done, the canceled card will be reactivated by the bank.