Digital accounts have exploded in recent years with most household members having at least one digital account. From email and social networking to fast food delivery and gaming accounts, our collective digital footprint is growing by the day.
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While some may think that as long as credit card information is removed that it’s okay to leave these accounts sitting idle, it’s always best to close down unused accounts. Digital accounts that are left sitting without observation are prime targets for hackers to gain access to information such as email addresses, home addresses, credit card information, and more.
Thankfully, shutting down digital accounts is becoming simpler and easier to do the more time goes on. If you or a loved one has a GameStop account that needs to be deleted, follow the steps below for a hassle-free experience.
How to Delete Your Own GameStop Account
Deleting your own digital accounts is always the best way to go. You already know your account login and password information, making the deletion process quick and simple. If you leave this job to someone else, keep your account information in a place they can access such as a password manager.
If you prefer hard copies to digital copies, keep a binder with account information for all open accounts in a fireproof safe and give your future executor a copy of the key or passcode.
Call GameStop
Though you can also complete these steps via email or over chat, calling customer service is the fastest way to delete your account.
Call the customer service line at 1-800-883-8895. GameStop representatives are available to take calls from Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 10 PM CST, and Sunday from 8 AM to 8 PM CST.
Note the time zone before you call: 8 AM CT is 6 AM PST and 9 AM EST.
Request deletion
Once you get a representative on the phone, tell them you want to delete your account. They’ll most likely ask you why. This question is part of their standard operating procedure. They might offer you a discount for a subscription, but most likely they’ll make a note of it for record-keeping purposes and move you along to the next step.
If you have a hard time answering this question, here are a few common responses you can supply:
- I no longer use GameStop
- I no longer need this account
- I haven’t used this account in years and want to close it out
- I’m tidying up unwanted digital accounts
Provide your account name
After you supply a reason why you need to shut down the account, the GameStop representative will ask for your account name. This is one of the primary identifiers they’ll use to make sure you are you and not someone else trying to shut down your account.
What if you don’t remember your account name? They’ll ask a few more questions to try and verify your account using other information.
Provide your email address
To link your account to you, they’ll next ask for your email address associated with the account. If you forgot your account name, they’ll still ask for your email address on file to search for your account. They’ll then ask other identifying questions for security purposes.
Provide your billing address
Your billing address associated with your account is a third item that can be used to verify your identity and look up your account information. With this last item, they will move forward with deleting your account.
Confirm deletion request
The person you’re speaking with will ask again that you want to delete your account. Once you verify this, they will delete your account while you’re on the phone.
At this point, your GameStop account will be inaccessible and all information associated with it will be deleted. You won’t be able to log in or use the account for any purchases in the future. If you need to reopen a GameStop account, you’ll need to set it up from scratch.
Check your email
While you’re on the phone, the GameStop representative will email you with the confirmation of account deletion. They might even have you check while you’re still talking to make sure you received the email. Hold onto this for recordkeeping purposes.
How to Delete a Deceased Loved One’s GameStop Account
Deleting a loved one’s digital accounts can add a significant number of items to your to-do list of executor duties. Thankfully, GameStop makes this process quick and simple. Follow the steps below to wrap up this digital account and get it canceled.
Gather information
When you’re trying to figure out what to do when someone dies, one of the many tasks that make it onto your to-do list is gathering information from companies regarding what information they need to stop, cancel, or delete accounts. You’ll then need to collect those pieces of information in one place to submit to each company.
For GameStop, you’ll need a copy of your loved one’s death certificate, their account name, the email associated with their account, and the billing address on file.
If you are unsure of how to get a death certificate, you can obtain one through the vital records office in your state. You’ll need to show proof of your executorship, so have a copy on hand as proof when requesting a death certificate copy.
Call GameStop customer service
Just like closing your own account, calling is still the first step you should take when deleting a loved one’s account. Use the customer service number listed in the section above and be sure to call during business hours.
When you’re connected, explain that you need to close down a deceased relative’s account and that you are the executor of the estate.
Provide account information
Once you’ve explained your request, the GameStop representative will ask for your loved one’s account information. This includes their account name, their email address associated with the account, and billing information.
If you are missing one or more information, they will try to verify the account using the information you have. Without at least one of the above pieces of information, however, locating the account might not be possible.
If you cannot locate their account information, it might be helpful to look through old credit card statements and bank statements for a GameStop charge. Once you find a charge, determine the billing address for the card or account and provide this address to a GameStop representative when you call.
Email customer service
Once you’ve talked to the GameStop representative and they’ve recorded your information and deletion request, they will provide you with an email address for their account center. Email a copy of your loved one’s death certificate along with the account information that you provided to the representative. Finally, include a few lines stating that you need to delete your loved one’s account.
Check for replies
According to GameStop’s website, you should hear back from the department within twenty-four hours. If several days have gone by and you haven’t been contacted, call customer service and follow up.
If the department has everything they need to delete your loved one’s account, they might ask for a final confirmation that you want the account deleted. Reply and confirm to delete the account.
Should GameStop require any other information, they will specify what else is needed for them to delete your loved one’s account. Send any requested information to them by replying to the email thread.
Check for confirmation
Once GameStop employees receive the documents and account information they need to delete your loved one’s account, they’ll do so. You will then receive an email that confirms your loved one’s account deletion. Your loved one’s account email will also be sent a copy of the deletion confirmation, so be on the lookout for one in each inbox - yours and theirs.
Keep the deletion confirmation email for your records and scratch this off the to-do list.
Cleaning Up Digital Accounts
It’s important to tidy up digital accounts rather than letting accounts sit unused and prone to getting hacked. By taking care of this step yourself, you remove a to-do item from the list of your loved one’s responsibilities when you pass away. Thankfully, even if you have to close a loved one’s GameStop account for them, the company has made it as simple and painless as possible.
Sources:
- “Helpful Topics.” Help Center, GameStop, 2021. care.gamestop.com
- Interview with Jahazeel, GameStop Associate, 9 June 2021.