Upstart does not allow you to delete your account. The company states plainly that it is “not able to delete accounts or loan applications.” There is no button in your dashboard, no form to fill out, and no phone call that will result in your account being removed from their system. But you still have options for limiting your exposure and protecting your information.
Why Upstart Won’t Delete Accounts
Upstart keeps account and loan application records as part of its regulatory and business obligations. Lenders that originate loans through the platform are required to maintain records of applications and transactions, and Upstart’s system reflects that. This applies whether you completed a loan, were declined, or simply checked your rate and never followed through.
If you have an active loan, your account is tied to your repayment history, payment schedule, and tax documents. Upstart won’t remove any of that while the loan exists, and it retains records after payoff as well.
What Happens if You Stop Using It
According to Upstart, if you no longer wish to use your account, no further action is needed. It will remain inactive unless you choose to apply again. You won’t be charged anything for having an idle account, and Upstart won’t send you new loan offers through the dashboard. Your login credentials stay active, so you can still sign in later if you need to access payment records or tax forms.
How to Secure an Inactive Account
Even though you can’t delete the account, you can take steps to lock it down so it’s not a security concern sitting in the background.
- Change your password to something long, unique, and not reused from any other site. This reduces the risk if another service you use is ever breached.
- Remove saved payment methods if you’ve paid off your loan and no longer need autopay. Log in and check whether any bank account information can be unlinked from the dashboard.
- Turn off marketing emails by adjusting your notification preferences or unsubscribing from promotional messages. This won’t close the account, but it will stop Upstart from landing in your inbox.
Requesting Data Deletion Under Privacy Laws
If your goal is to have your personal data erased rather than just abandoning the account, you may have rights depending on where you live. Several states have consumer privacy laws that give residents the right to request deletion of personal information held by a company. The California Consumer Privacy Act is the most well-known, but similar laws exist in a growing number of states.
To make this kind of request, look for a “Privacy” or “Your Privacy Choices” link at the bottom of Upstart’s website. You can also contact their customer support team directly and ask them to process a data deletion request under applicable privacy law. Companies are generally required to respond within 45 days. Keep in mind that even under these laws, a company can retain certain data if it’s needed to complete a transaction, maintain a loan, comply with legal obligations, or detect fraud. If you have or had a loan through Upstart, some of your financial records will likely be kept regardless of your request.
Accessing Tax Documents Later
Before you walk away from the account entirely, make sure you’ve downloaded anything you might need. If you paid interest on an Upstart loan, you may receive a 1098-E form showing deductible student loan interest or a 1099-C if any portion of your debt was forgiven or canceled. These forms are typically available through your account dashboard during tax season.
If you’ve already stopped logging in and later realize you need a tax form, Upstart’s support team can help. They advise borrowers who believe they should have received a tax form but haven’t to reach out to customer support directly. Save yourself the trouble by downloading your documents before you go inactive.
Removing Upstart From Your Credit Reports
Closing or abandoning your Upstart account does not remove the loan from your credit reports. If you took out a loan and repaid it, that positive history will remain on your reports for up to 10 years. If you missed payments or defaulted, negative marks stay for up to seven years. Even the initial rate check, if it resulted in a hard inquiry, will remain on your report for about two years. None of this is controlled by Upstart’s account status. It’s reported to the credit bureaus independently.
If you only did a soft prequalification check and never accepted a loan, no hard inquiry was placed and nothing will appear on your credit reports tied to Upstart.