Can credit card companies charge interest after account closed?
Emma Miller
Updated on January 29, 2026
If you still have a balance when you close your account, you still must pay off the balance on schedule. The card issuer can still charge interest on the amount you owe.
Can a closed account still accrue interest?
Yes. The bank may charge you for interest and fees that were assessed before you closed your account. Even though you paid off the $1,000 before the payment due date, the bank may charge you for the residual interest that accrued from the first day of the billing cycle until your payment was credited on the 24th.
Can a creditor continue to report on a closed account?
The original creditor can’t continue to report a balance due if it has sold the account to a collections agency. However, it can report a charge off, which remains on your credit report for seven years, even if you pay off the debt—with the original creditor or via a collections agency.
What does it mean when a collection account is closed?
A “Closed – Derogatory” mark on your credit report simply means the account in question defaulted and was closed as a result. Furthermore, if the debt in question hasn’t been paid, it could manifest itself as a collection account if the original lender sells it to a collection agency.
Why am I being charged interest on a zero balance?
If you started the cycle with a zero balance, your statement balance is made up of all the new purchases you made during that month’s billing cycle. As a result, your grace period won’t apply on that rolled-over balance — or on any new purchases — and once your grace period is gone, residual interest can accrue.
Do you still have to pay interest on a closed credit card?
Will you still have to pay interest? Your credit card issuer won’t stop you from closing your credit card while it still has a balance, but closing the account doesn’t relieve you of interest payments. If that were the case, people would habitually close their credit cards just to get out of paying interest.
Can a credit card company stop you from closing an account?
Your credit card issuer won’t stop you from closing your credit card while it still has a balance, but closing the account doesn’t relieve you of interest payments. Once you close an account, you’ll continue to be charged regular interest until you’ve reached a zero balance.
Can you keep a balance on a closed credit card?
While you can keep a balance on a closed credit card, it may not be in your best interest. Carrying a balance on a closed card can hurt your credit score, according to MSN Money. You’ll also be racking up interest charges, which you will eventually have to pay off. If you can, pay of the balance before you close the account.
Is it possible to reopen a closed credit card account?
Your conversation with your credit card issuer could even end in a new account opening. You might even be able to get the credit card company to reopen your account—if you’re convincing.