My card was taken by an ATM near my hotel in Cape Verde. Has this happened to anyone else? Solution?
This happened to me at a Banco Interatlântico ATM in Mindelo. My Revolut Visa got swallowed late evening, so I called the number on the machine. The hotline staff told me to return during banking hours with ID. I went back the next morning, and after some paperwork, they returned it safely. Cape Verde can be cash-heavy, so having a second card or some euros really helps if things go wrong. The bank staff were professional, but the key was acting quickly.
Cape Verde ATMs can be hit or miss. My Wise Visa was taken by a BCA ATM on Boa Vista, and since the branch only opened on weekdays, I had no way to get it back before leaving the island. They told me unclaimed cards are destroyed after 48 hours. That left me stranded relying on cash and my backup credit card. My advice: always withdraw during branch hours, and carry some euros since they’re widely accepted if you’re caught without your main card.
I had my Monzo Mastercard swallowed by a Caixa Económica ATM in Praia. I went into the branch with my passport the next morning, and they returned it within 20 minutes after checking my details. Staff were polite and said the machine had flagged my foreign card as “error.” I was relieved they gave it back on the spot. If you’re on Sal or Boa Vista, it might be trickier since there are fewer branches, but in Praia and Mindelo, the system works well.
Yes, it happened to me at the Banco Comercial do Atlântico ATM in Santa Maria, Sal Island. I went straight to the branch the next morning with my passport, and they were able to retrieve the card. If it’s a weekend or late evening, you’ll probably need to block the card and request a new one. Banks in Cape Verde are generally helpful, but response times can be slow, so have a backup card or use Caixa Económica de Cabo Verde ATMs if possible.