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When you have too many credit cards, closing some of them is a good way to simplify your financial life. Before you make that phone call, first make sure closing these credit cards won’t hurt your credit score.

Once you’re sure closing the credit card is the right move to make, follow these steps to make sure the card is closed in your favor.

Contact Customer Service

Call the customer service number on the back of your credit card. Let the customer service representative know you’d like to close your credit card account. Don’t be surprised if the representative tries to talk you into keeping your account open. If you’re sure you want to close the account, don’t allow yourself to be convinced otherwise. Note the date and time you made this request.

Follow-Up With a Letter

Follow up in writing to have a record that you requested your credit card to be closed. In the letter include your name, address, and credit credit card number (or at least the last four digits of the card number). State that you made a request by phone to have your account closed on such-and-such date and you want your credit record to reflect the account was closed at your request.

Update Your Records

Keep a copy of the letter for yourself. Send it certified mail so you have proof the letter was mail and received should that fact ever come into question.

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Blemished credit is both stressful and costly, but it’s not the end. As hopeless as the situation might seem, bad credit won’t last forever. There are things you can do right now to begin improve your credit score.

1. Stop using your credit cards

In a bad credit situation, one of the worst things you can do is continue accumulating debt by making credit card purchases. Put your credit cards away until you have more control of the situation.

2. Get a copy of your credit report

You can’t begin repairing your credit until you know exactly what you need to work on. Obtain a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus to find out which accounts need work and which are just fine.

3. Clean up your credit report.

If your credit report contains incorrect information, you have the right to have it removed. Your credit report will include information about disputing inaccurate information with the credit bureaus.

4. Get current on delinquent accounts

Your payment history makes up 35% of your credit score. Getting current on your delinquent accounts will have a great impact on your credit.

5. Don’t put in any more credit applications

As long as your credit is in repair mode, you should avoid making any more applications for credit. It’s likely that you’ll get turned down for credit and the applications will only decrease your credit score.

6. Keep accounts with balances open

You might be tempted to close out credit card accounts that have become delinquent, but wait. Before you close any account make sure it won’t negatively affect your credit.

7. Call your creditors

Right now they’re certainly the last people you want to talk to, but you’d be surprised at the help you might receive. Talk to your creditors about your situation. Many of them have temporary hardship programs that will reduce your monthly payments until you can get back on your feet.

8. Pay off your debts

You will have to start paying off your debts to improve your credit situation. If you don’t have the money on hand, sell some of your belongings to speed up the process. It will be a sacrifice, but the financial freedom you gain will be worth it.

9. Get professional help

Resources, like consumer credit counseling, are available to assist you. If you are overwhelmed by your credit situation, seek professional assistance. You can locate a credit counseling agency through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

10. Be patient

Your credit wasn’t damaged overnight, so don’t expect it to improve in that amount of time. Continue paying your debts and over time you will see an improvement in your credit.