Close your Varo account online or by phone in under five minutes
You can close a Varo account through the mobile app or by calling customer service. The process takes a few minutes and does not require you to visit a branch. Before you close, make sure any pending transactions have cleared, transfer out any remaining balance, and confirm you have no active direct deposits or automatic payments tied to the account.
Varo does not charge a fee to close your account. Once closed, the account cannot be reopened — you would need to open a new one if you want to bank with Varo again. Your account closure is effective immediately, though it may take a few business days for the account to fully disappear from your online dashboard.
Key Takeaways
- Close your account through the Varo app by going to Settings, selecting your account, and choosing the close account option, or call customer service at the number on the back of your card.
- Transfer any remaining money out of the account before closing, since Varo will not hold funds after the account is closed.
- Stop any automatic payments or direct deposits at least a few days before closing to avoid transactions bouncing or failing.
- Closing is free and takes effect immediately, but the account may remain visible in your app for a few business days.
- Once closed, your account cannot be reopened — opening a new Varo account would be treated as a new application.
Steps to close through the Varo mobile app
Open the Varo app and log in. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right of the screen. Select Settings, then tap your account name or account number at the top of the settings menu.
Scroll down and look for an option labeled Close Account or Manage Account. Tap it. Varo will show you a confirmation screen explaining that closing is permanent and that any remaining balance must be transferred out first. If you have money in the account, you will not be able to proceed until you move it to another bank.
Once you confirm, Varo will ask you to select a reason for closing (optional) and may offer you a chance to provide feedback. After you confirm a second time, the closure is complete. You should receive a confirmation email within a few minutes.
Close your account by phone
Call the customer service number on the back of your Varo debit card. You can also find the number on the Varo website under Contact Us. Have your account number and the phone number associated with your account ready.
Tell the representative you want to close your account. They will confirm that you have transferred out any remaining balance and that there are no pending transactions. If you have money in the account, they cannot close it over the phone — you will need to transfer the funds first through the app or online, then call back.
The representative will process the closure and send you a confirmation email. The entire call usually takes two to three minutes.
What to do with your remaining balance
Before closing, transfer any money in your Varo account to another bank account you own. You can do this through an external transfer (also called an ACH transfer) using the Varo app. Go to Settings, select Transfer Money, and choose the account you want to send funds to. Enter the amount and confirm.
External transfers from Varo typically take one to three business days. If you are closing your account soon, initiate the transfer at least three business days before you plan to close. If you close the account before the transfer completes, Varo will still process the transfer, but it may be delayed or rejected if the account is no longer active.
If you have a very small balance (under $1), you can ask customer service to close the account and either donate the remaining funds to a nonprofit or send them to you by check. This is not automatic — you must request it when you close.
Stop automatic payments and direct deposits first
Before closing, contact any employer, government agency, or service that sends money to your Varo account and update your banking information. This includes payroll direct deposits, Social Security payments, tax refunds, and benefits payments. Stopping these takes a few days to process, so do this at least one week before you close your account.
Similarly, cancel or update any automatic bill payments, subscriptions, or transfers that pull money from your Varo account. Check your recent transactions in the app to see what is set up. If a payment tries to go through after your account is closed, it will fail and may trigger an overdraft fee from the other bank or a late payment on your bill.
Once you have updated all incoming and outgoing payments, wait a few days to make sure nothing else tries to hit the account. Then you can safely close it.
What happens after you close your account
Your account is closed immediately, but the account number may remain visible in your Varo app for up to five business days. You will not be able to use the debit card, and any transactions will be rejected. If you receive a direct deposit or automatic payment after closing, it will bounce and be returned to the sender.
Varo will keep records of your closed account for a period of time for regulatory and tax purposes. If you need a statement or record of transactions from the closed account, contact customer service and request it. They can usually provide statements by email.
If you want to bank with Varo again in the future, you will need to open a new account from scratch. The old account cannot be reopened.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen my Varo account after closing it?
No. Once you close your account, it cannot be reopened. If you want to use Varo again, you will need to open a new account. This is treated as a new application and will require you to verify your identity and go through the standard account setup process.
What if I close my account but a payment comes through after?
The payment will be rejected and returned to the sender. If it was a direct deposit from your employer or a government agency, contact them and provide your new banking information. If it was a bill payment or subscription charge, the merchant will receive a rejection notice and may charge you a fee or report the missed payment.
Do I need to destroy my Varo debit card after closing?
You should cut up or shred your card so it cannot be used. The card will stop working immediately when your account closes, but destroying it prevents anyone from finding it and attempting to use it. You do not need to return it to Varo.
How long does it take to close a Varo account?
The closure itself is instant — your account is closed as soon as you confirm in the app or the representative processes it over the phone. However, the account may remain visible in your app for up to five business days before it fully disappears from your dashboard.
Will closing my Varo account hurt my credit score?
No. Closing a checking or savings account does not affect your credit score. Your credit report only tracks credit accounts like credit cards, loans, and lines of credit. Closing a bank account has no impact on your credit history or score.