You’ve decided to move on. Maybe it’s the fees, maybe you found a high-yield savings account that actually pays real interest, or perhaps you’re just tired of the big bank vibe. Whatever the reason, figuring out how to chase close checking account steps shouldn't feel like a part-time job. But if you just stop using the card and hope the account disappears, you’re in for a headache.
Banks don't usually let you walk away that easily.
If you leave a $0 balance and just walk away, Chase might hit you with a monthly service fee. That fee puts you in the negative. Then comes the overdraft fee. Suddenly, you "owe" the bank $60 for an account you haven't touched in months. It's a mess.
The Prep Work Nobody Tells You About
Before you even think about calling a representative or heading into a branch, you have to do the "sweep." This is where most people mess up. They think they’ve moved everything, but they forgot about that one recurring $12.99 subscription for a streaming service they barely watch.
Check your statements from the last twelve months. Look for annual renewals. Look for those tiny "test deposits" from apps like Venmo or Robinhood.
You need a new "home" for your money first. Don’t close your Chase account until your new account is fully functional, meaning the debit card has arrived in the mail and you've successfully logged into the mobile app. Transitioning your direct deposit is the biggest hurdle. Most employers take one or even two pay cycles to update their payroll systems. If you close the Chase account too early and your paycheck hits a closed door, that money bounces back to your boss. You don't want to be the person asking HR why your rent money is missing.
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How to Actually Do It
Chase gives you three main ways to shut things down. You can do it online, over the phone, or in person.
Honestly? Doing it in person is the most "bulletproof" method, but it's also the most annoying because you have to wait in line and talk to a human who might try to talk you into staying. If you go to a branch, ask for a "written confirmation of account closure." This is your golden ticket if a zombie fee pops up three months from now.
If you prefer the digital route, log into the Chase website. You can use the "Secure Message Center." Just send a message saying you want to close account number ending in XXXX. It’s not instant. A human has to read it and process it.
The phone method works too. Call 1-800-935-9935. Be prepared for the "Retention Script." The representative is literally paid to keep you as a customer. They might offer to waive fees for a few months or suggest a different account type, like the Chase Secure Banking account which has no overdraft fees. If you're done, just stay firm. "No thanks, I just want to close the account today."
The "Zombie Account" Trap
There is this weird thing that happens in banking called a "zombie account." It's spooky.
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Imagine you close your account. You get the confirmation. You feel great. Then, a week later, an old gym membership tries to pull $30 from that closed account. Some banks have systems that will automatically reopen the account to honor the payment. Now you're back at square one, but with a negative balance and a bunch of fees.
To prevent this, you have to be aggressive. Cancel the old authorizations at the source. Don’t just change the payment method on your gym's website; specifically tell them to stop hitting that specific Chase card.
What About Your Credit Score?
Here’s some good news: closing a checking account does not directly affect your credit score. Checking accounts aren't debt. They don't show up on your TransUnion or Equifax reports.
However.
If you close the account with a negative balance—meaning you owe Chase money—and you don't pay it, they won't just forget about it. They will send that debt to a collection agency. That will absolutely wreck your credit score. Also, banks use something called ChexSystems. It's like a credit report but specifically for bank accounts. If you have a history of "account abuse" or unpaid fees at Chase, other banks like Wells Fargo or Bank of America might refuse to let you open an account in the future.
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Handling the Remaining Cash
Don't leave your balance at exactly zero when you send the request. Leave a few dollars in there to cover any trailing interest or minor fees that might settle. Once you get the green light that the account is ready to close, you can have Chase send you a paper check for the remaining balance.
Alternatively, you can just Zelle yourself the money to your new account. Just make sure the "Available Balance" is actually cleared. Pending transactions are the enemy of a clean closure. If you have a pending transaction from a taco stand two days ago, Chase cannot and will not close the account until that transaction settles.
The Final Checklist for Success
Do not rush this. Most people try to do it in an afternoon. It’s a two-week process.
First, open the new account. Second, move your direct deposit. Third, wait for one full paycheck to land in the new account. Fourth, go through your Chase transactions and move every single auto-pay. Fifth, leave the Chase account sitting with a small "buffer" of cash for a week to catch anything you missed. Finally, send the secure message or make the call.
Once it’s done, shred your old debit cards. Don’t just throw them in the trash. Cut through the chip and the magnetic stripe.
Actionable Steps to Take Right Now
- Audit your statements: Download the last three months of CSV or PDF statements from Chase and highlight every recurring withdrawal.
- Update your payroll: Log into your work portal and swap the routing and account numbers to your new bank immediately.
- Send the Secure Message: If your balance is clear and no transactions are pending, go to the Chase "Secure Message Center" and type: "Please close my checking account ending in [Your Account Last 4]. I have moved all my funds and cancelled all automated payments."
- Keep the receipt: Save the confirmation number or the PDF of the message thread. If you did it in a branch, put that paper in a safe place for at least a year.
- Monitor ChexSystems: If you've had trouble closing accounts in the past, you can request a free disclosure report from chexsystems.com once every 12 months to make sure your record is clean.