Delete a Skype Account

Skype does not make it easy to delete your account, and even has instructions on its website that don't help you resolve the issue. The only way to actually delete your account is to contact Skype customer support, which you can do for free online.

Steps

Requesting an Account Deletion

  1. Visit the Skype customer support web page. Click this link to navigate to Skype customer support. Only Skype customer support can completely delete an account. Whether you want your own account deleted, or you want to report an account impersonating you or stealing your identity, this is the place to start.
  2. Sign in. Enter your Skype username and password to log into the customer support website. If you don't remember your password, return to the sign in screen and click "Forgotten your password?" below the Password box.
  3. Choose a help topic. After logging in, you'll be asked why you need customer support. Choose the topic that matches your problem. Most commonly for account deletion requests, your reason will fall under one of these categories:
    • Account and Password → Deleting an account
    • Security & Privacy → Identity theft / Account takeover
    • Security & Privacy → Report fraudulent activity
  4. Click next. A few links to FAQ answers will appear, but unless you are looking for answers to specific security problems, these are unlikely to be helpful. Click Next instead to be taken to better options.
  5. Select text chat support. Click Text chat support to open a new window and chat to a customer service worker. Ask him to delete your account permanently, and let him know why you want it deleted. Once a worker is available, the conversation might be done within a few minutes.[1]
    • It can take up to 2 weeks for your account to be permanently removed.[2] You may want to remove your personal details from your account before then, as described below, to make your account harder to trace back to you.
  6. Troubleshoot. The Skype community service website has had problems in the past. If you get an error message or don't see the chat window appear, try the following workarounds:[3]
    • Make sure your browser preferences Allow-Pop–ups.
    • Try choosing a different help topic (such as "Security & Privacy" instead of "Account and Password").
    • Use a different browser, such as Firefox or Opera.
  7. Contact support with different methods instead. If chat support is still not working, you can contact Skype support by emailing your request to contactus@skype.net instead, or by filling out this form. It can take 24 hours for Skype to respond to these methods.

Removing Your Personal Details

  1. Use this method to get your personal information offline fast. This method will not delete your account, or even change your Skype account name, but it will remove your name, birth date and other personal information that could be used to track you down in person.[2]
  2. Launch your Skype application. When open, log into your Skype account.
  3. View your profile.
    • On Windows, in the menu bar, click Skype -> Profile -> Edit Your Profile...
    • On Linux, click your Skype Name and select Edit Profile.
    • On Mac, click File -> Edit Profile...
  4. Remove any personal information. Clear out your name, picture, mood, phone number, and email addresses.
  5. Only your Skype Name remains. After you have removed all personal information, there's only that. However, people can still find you and attempt to contact you with that screen name.
    • Note that you cannot erase your birth date. Simply set it to a meaningless date, as shown above.
    • Also note that if somebody has accepted your contact request, you cannot remove your account from their contact list. Only the contact can remove you from their list.
  6. Leave a status message. If you are simply abandoning one account and opening another, consider leaving a status message in your About Me section with your new Skype name.
    • If you're leaving Skype completely, you can leave a message that you are no longer active on Skype.
  7. Disable auto-recharge. If you have been automatically recharging your account, you will need to disable this too to prevent continued billing.
    • Go to your payment settings and click the "View Settings" link. It should take you directly to the auto-recharge page.
    • Click the disable auto-recharge link.
  8. Contact customer service. If you have any remaining credits or subscriptions, you can request a refund from Skype.

Tips

  • Skype does not offer customer support over the phone.[4]
  • Text chat customer service is now available for all Skype users, not just paying customers.

Warnings

  • Skype might ask if you want to be taken to the Community boards for support instead. Ignore this; the moderators there cannot delete accounts.[3]

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjB_CwxLbhQ
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA142/can-i-delete-my-skype-account
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://community.skype.com/t5/Security-Privacy-Trust-and/Security-Identity-problem/m-p/3598091#M35729
  4. ↑ https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA1170/how-can-i-contact-skype-customer-service
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