At one point, AOL was a big deal to many people and therefore, they were very excited to pay each month for the account. However, these days, many people are no longer interested in having their AOL account. But, to close the account is a very frustrating process of dealing with customer support. Instead of providing a link to close the account, they have to try and up sell you before doing it. Regardless, there are two ways to close an account.

Close AOL Service by Phone

Closing by phone is the simpler, but more frustrating method of closing your AOL account. To begin with, gather all of your information: account names, order numbers, billing address, personal information and anything else you have tied into your AOL account. You want to have it all there and ready so that when prompted for it, you can provide it quickly and get off the phone as fast as possible.

Call the AOL Customer Service at (800) 827-6364. It will ask you what you want to do. Say “cancellation” in a clear and slow voice so that the automated machine can recognize it. It will transfer you to a customer service representative, but it might take a while. Some people have reported waiting upward of fifteen or twenty minutes for this.

When the customer service representative asks what he/she can do for you, express your interest in cancellation. If they ask you why, simply say you want to cancel. Provide the personal information to them so they can verify it is you. When they try to persuade you to stay, insist upon cancelling the account. Ask for their name and write it down along with the date and time you spoke.

Upon confirmation that the account is closed, hang up. Then, keep an eye on your bank account. If you cancelled right before the billing period, they may charge you for the next month anyway. Call them up and explain that you’ve cancelled and want a refund.

Cancel AOL Service By Mail

This method is less frustrating, but takes a little more time. In this method, type a letter expressing an interest in closing down your AOL account. Send the typed letter to:

American Online

PO BOX 17100

Jacksonville, FL 32245-7100

In the letter, include all of your personal information including your username, billing address, account number, your full name and your phone number. Anticipate they will call you to confirm once they’ve received your letter.

Verify that the account has been closed. Typically, they’ll call to try and persuade you to stay or they’ll send you a letter confirming that you’ve been cancelled. Try to log in to your AOL. If it doesn’t work, it has been cancelled. As described above, make sure money hasn’t been taken out of your account when you are not using the service.