Everyone loves Target, but there may be a reason that you wish to delete your Target account or cancel your Target credit card. We are here to help.
We are also here for you if you recently lost a loved one. While going through your loved one’s wallet, you may have noticed a Target credit card. As a part of your executor duties, you will need to contact any creditors, have the estate pay for any balances that are due, and close the accounts.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- How to Permanently Delete Your Own Target Account
- How to Permanently Delete a Target Account for a Deceased Loved One
- How to Cancel a Target Credit Card for Your or a Deceased Loved One
Whether you need help with your own account or the Target account of a deceased family member, here are the steps you need to take to cut ties with Target.
How to Permanently Delete Your Own Target Account
Before we discuss the steps of deleting a Target account, you must understand what type of account you have. Here are a few you may have signed up for.
Target.com
Perhaps you ordered something online from Target and you would like to delete your account and password. This account may be connected to your email address, home address, and credit card number. You may want to delete this account to reduce the chance that you will be the victim of identity theft.
Target Circle
Target Circle is a rewards program offered by the store. Deleting this account is a separate process from removing your account from Target.com.
Target RedCard
Target RedCard is a credit card that can only be used at Target. Deleting your credit card account may affect your credit score. This is a separate process from deleting the two previous accounts.
Step 1: Log in to the account you wish to delete
Regardless of what account you wish to delete, the first step is to log in to the account. If you don’t use the account very often, you may have to reset your password. Using a password manager program might eliminate this step.
Step 2: Click on the “Contact Us” option
Once your account is accessed, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “contact us” option. This will allow you to chat, email, or call a customer service representative. Tell the rep you wish to delete your account permanently, and they will give you additional steps (if any) that you need to complete.
There are no “delete account” buttons on Target’s website. To deactivate or delete an account, you’ll need to connect with a customer representative.
How to Permanently Delete a Target Account for a Deceased Loved One
Canceling a Target.com or Target Circle account (or non-credit card account) of a deceased loved one may not be necessary. Even if your Target.com account has a credit card number attached to it, you would have already canceled that card following your loved one’s death.
Nevertheless, you may feel the need to be vigilant of your loved one’s online privacy. As part of our post-loss checklist, we encourage you to delete any accounts your family no longer needs. If you want to delete your deceased family member’s Target.com or Target Circle account, here are the steps to take.
Step 1: Attempt to log into the account
If your loved one left behind account login and password information, you can use that information to log in to their accounts and connect with customer service. Explain that the account owner is now deceased and that you wish to have the account deactivated and deleted.
Again, there are no “delete account” buttons on Target’s website. Even if you can access your loved one’s account, you’ll need to connect with a customer care rep.
Step 2: Chat with a customer service representative online
If you cannot obtain access to your loved one’s non-credit card account, connect with a Target representative from this page. Click the red “chat now” button at the bottom of the page and explain that you are tying up loose ends and deleting accounts that your loved one opened.
You may need to give the Target employee the deceased’s name, email address, address, and phone number.
Step 3: Or give them a call
If you don’t enjoy connecting through online chats, give Target customer care a call at 1-800-591-3869.
How to Cancel a Target Credit Card for You or a Deceased Loved One
If you are concerned about your credit score, you can ask a financial advisor before you cancel your Target credit card that doesn’t have a balance. Some would say that accounts should sit dormant rather than be canceled if you are concerned about lowering your credit score. Even so, keeping the account open may increase your risk of being a victim of fraud.
If you recently lost a loved one, you need to cancel all of their credit card accounts. You may also consider deleting social media accounts and anything else considered to be a part of your loved one’s digital afterlife.
Here’s how to cancel a Target credit card.
According to the fine print you sign when you open a Target credit card, there are two ways to close your account. The instructions don’t differentiate between closing the account of a living person or one who is deceased.
Option 1: Call the number on the back of the Target credit card
Call (888) 729-7331 and be prepared to give the credit card number, name on the account, and the account owner’s address. Request that the account is closed and deactivated.
Option 2: Write the Target corporation
If you prefer to use snail mail, write to the Target corporate headquarters to close the account. Here’s the address: Target Corporation, c/o Financial and Retail Services, P.O. Box 9491, Minneapolis, MN, 55440.
Other End-of-Life Tasks to Complete
If you are in charge of finalizing your loved one’s estate, there are many tasks to complete. You may be interested in learning more about this topic by reading 7 Steps to Protect Your Digital Assets After Death. You may also want to discuss what you’ll do with your loved one’s social media accounts as well.
Make it easy for your survivors. Cancel little-used accounts so there are few creditors to contact after your death. Also, if you really want to get things in place, you can plan your funeral and pay for your cemetery plot and casket.
Sources
- “Help Topics.” Target. help.target.com/help/TargetGuestHelpSearchResultResponsive?searchQuery=delete+account