Close your Chime account through the app or by contacting support
You can close a Chime checking account in two ways: through the Chime mobile app itself, or by calling Chime customer service. The app route is faster — you can do it in minutes without waiting on hold. If you close through the app, go to your account settings, find the option to close your account, and follow the prompts. Chime will ask you to confirm the closure and may ask why you're leaving, but you don't have to provide a reason.
If you prefer to speak with someone, call Chime customer service at the number on the back of your card or in the app. A representative can walk you through the closure and answer questions about what happens to pending transactions or direct deposits. Either way, the account closes immediately once you confirm.
Before you close, make sure your account balance is zero or that you've transferred any remaining money out. Chime will not close an account with a negative balance — you'll need to pay that first. If you have pending direct deposits or automatic payments set up, cancel or redirect those before closing, because Chime won't process transactions to a closed account.
Key Takeaways
- You can close your Chime account through the app in minutes, or call customer service for help.
- Your account must have a zero or positive balance before Chime will close it; pay any negative balance first.
- Cancel or redirect any direct deposits, automatic bill payments, or recurring charges before you close.
- The account closes immediately once you confirm, and Chime will deactivate your card.
- Keep records of any pending transactions and contact your employer or billers to update your payment information.
What happens to your debit card when you close
Chime deactivates your card the moment your account closes. If the card is still in your wallet, it will no longer work at ATMs, stores, or online. You don't need to destroy it, but you can cut it up or throw it away — Chime won't reactivate it.
If you have a Chime SpotMe boost or other card-linked features active, those stop working too. Any pending transactions that haven't cleared yet may still process for a few days after closure, depending on when the merchant submitted the charge. Check your account for a few days after closing to see if any unexpected charges appear; if they do, contact Chime to dispute them.
Handle direct deposits and automatic payments before closing
Direct deposits and automatic bill payments won't work once your account is closed. If your paycheck goes to Chime, you need to update your employer's payroll system with a new bank account number before you close. The same goes for any automatic payments you've set up — subscriptions, insurance, utilities, loan payments, anything that pulls money from your account on a schedule.
Log into each biller's website or app and change the bank account information to your new bank, or pause the payment until you've set it up elsewhere. If you close your Chime account before updating these, your payments will fail and you may face late fees or service interruptions. Give yourself at least a week to make these changes, especially if your paycheck is involved.
Understand what happens to pending transactions
Transactions that have already posted to your account are settled — they're done. But transactions that are still pending (a charge you made yesterday that hasn't cleared yet, a hold on a gas pump) may still process after your account closes. Chime typically gives pending transactions a few business days to clear.
If a pending transaction tries to process after your account is closed, it will be rejected and the merchant will be notified. This can trigger overdraft fees at the merchant's end, though not at Chime. To avoid this, wait until all pending transactions have cleared before you close. You can see pending transactions in the app under your recent activity.
Transfer your remaining balance to another bank
If you have money left in your Chime account, transfer it out before closing. You can do this by initiating an ACH transfer to another bank account you own, or by withdrawing cash at an ATM or store using your Chime card. ACH transfers usually take one to three business days.
If you're moving to a new bank, set up your account there first and get your routing and account numbers ready. Then use Chime's transfer feature to send the money over. Once the transfer completes and your Chime balance shows zero, you're ready to close.
What to do if you can't close through the app
If the close account option doesn't appear in your app settings, or if you get an error message, call Chime customer service. This sometimes happens if your account has a hold on it, an unresolved dispute, or a negative balance. A representative can tell you what's blocking the closure and help you fix it.
Chime customer service is available seven days a week. You can reach them by phone using the number on your card or in the app, or through the in-app chat feature. Have your account number or the phone number associated with your account ready when you call.
Keep records after you close
After your account closes, keep a record of the closure date and your final account balance for your records. If you need a statement or transaction history later — for taxes, a dispute, or proof of closure — you can still access your account history through the app for a limited time, or contact Chime to request copies.
If you closed because of fraud or a dispute, document everything: the date you closed, what happened, and any communication with Chime. This protects you if a charge appears later or if someone tries to use your old account information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen my Chime account after I close it?
Chime does not reopen closed accounts. If you want to use Chime again, you'll need to open a new account. This means a new account number and a new card, though you can use the same email address and phone number you used before.
What if I have a negative balance when I try to close?
Chime won't close your account if you owe money. You must pay the negative balance first, either by transferring money in or by linking another bank account and letting Chime pull the funds. Once your balance is zero or positive, you can close.
Do I lose my transaction history after I close?
You can access your transaction history for a period after closing through the app or by contacting Chime. However, this access is not permanent. If you need records for taxes or disputes, download or request statements before you close.
Will closing my Chime account hurt my credit?
Closing a checking account does not affect your credit score. Chime does not report checking account activity to credit bureaus. Your credit is only affected by credit products like credit cards or loans.
What if a merchant tries to charge my closed Chime card?
The charge will be declined. The merchant will receive a message that the card is no longer valid. If you had a recurring charge set up, update that merchant's payment information with your new bank account before closing, or cancel the subscription.