Got a replacement credit card in the mail, if I don't activate it, will this hurt my credit sco

I got a new(replacement) credit card in the mail since my old one was expiring. Since I don%26#039;t use this card anymore, would it be safe to simply not activate it(by not calling that 1-800 number) and would this keep my credit in good standing? I%26#039;ve heard if you cancel a credit card that it hurts your FICO score. My line of credit on this card is considerable so I don%26#039;t want to jeopardize my good credit standing. Is this a good strategy by simply not activating it? I figure this will also help prevent someone from stealing my number too. Should I just leave it in limbo and be OK?

Got a replacement credit card in the mail, if I don%26#039;t activate it, will this hurt my credit score?

It won%26#039;t affect your credit one way or the other if you choose to activate it or not. Activating lets the bank know the card was safely received by you because you are calling from your home #.

If you aren%26#039;t going to use it at all, keep in mind that the company can decide that your account isn%26#039;t profitable and may either lower it or close it. You might be better off activating and using it for very small purchases every few months or so. At least that way it%26#039;s an active account and you stand less of a chance of them closing it for inactivity.

Part of your fico score is based on the stability of your file - the longer your accounts have been open the better. If this is one of your longer standing accounts, don%26#039;t take chances of something triggering it to show up on the system as an inactive account. Banks are tightening their belts and may start closing those accounts out more often because they have to hold a percentage of each credit limit assigned in a reserve account by law. They%26#039;d rather hold the money in there for accounts that are being used and are profitable than for an account that%26#039;s just sitting there tying up money.

Got a replacement credit card in the mail, if I don%26#039;t activate it, will this hurt my credit score?

your account information and credit standing won%26#039;t be affected by the issuing and activation of a replacement card. it is after all the same acount, just a new card to replace an expiring one, right? activate it, and don%26#039;t forget to cut the old one into pieces (throw the pieces into separate trash bins if you like.)

so long as you continue your good financial practices, you have nothing to fear.