LANCASTER, Pa. -- If you're ready to close a credit card account, it's important to do it right.

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First, find the toll-free phone number on the back of the card, call the company and say you want to close the account.

Be sure you note to whom you talked and when.

Then, go one step further.

"No. 2 is to cut up those cards and put it in writing that you are requesting that account to be closed in writing and sign it. Any cardholder needs to sign that notification so if it's a husband and wife or joint account, two signatures on that piece of paper," said Richard Bealer, with Sterling Financial.

The written request will help guarantee that your credit information on the old account isn't shared.

Some people think that by just putting it away and not using the card that the account is closed.

"If the customer thinks that by not using the card it will be closed -- it's not. It might be inactive, but that credit card company will send letter after letter after letter," Bealer said.

If your credit card is stolen, you must contact the credit card issuer immediately and then it's a good idea to follow up with a letter that states that the card has been stolen and also lists when and where you last used it.

Click here for form letters from Bankrate.com on closing your account.