You may need to destroy a physical card when it has expired, been cancelled or replaced, or when our support team asks you to do so. If you receive a card that does not belong to you, contact us first.
Before you start
Make sure you have identified the correct card. If it has not expired, confirm that it has been permanently cancelled before destroying it. A temporary freeze is not the same as cancellation.
Destroying a physical card does not close the card or your Altery account. If you’re unsure whether to destroy it, contact our support team.
How to destroy a plastic card
Using a strong pair of scissors, carefully cut the card into several small pieces:
- Cut directly through the chip, breaking it into pieces.
- Cut through the magnetic stripe on the back in several places.
- Make cuts across the full width and length of the card, including its edges, to break the internal antenna used for contactless payments.
- Cut through the printed or embossed details, including the name, card number, expiry date and security code, if present.
Dispose of the pieces in separate rubbish bags. Do not throw away the card intact or burn it.
These instructions are for plastic cards. If you cannot safely cut your card, keep it secure and contact us for help.