My card was taken by an ATM near my hotel in Senegal. Has this happened to anyone else? Solution?
If this happens in Senegal, your best bet is Ecobank in Dakar. Go during business hours and bring your passport. Don’t expect recovery in smaller towns like Saint-Louis, Kaolack, or Ziguinchor. ATMs there are less reliable and cards are often shredded. Always carry CFA francs and a backup card. Cash is king once you leave the capital.
Not so lucky for me - my Revolut Mastercard was eaten by a Banque Atlantique ATM in Saint-Louis. When I went to the branch, they told me all foreign cards are destroyed for security. I had to cancel mine and rely on CFA francs I had exchanged earlier. Outside Dakar, it’s very rare to get your card back. Always keep USD or euros for backup in case you get stuck.
I had my Wise Visa taken by an Ecobank ATM on Avenue Blaise Diagne in Dakar. Walked into the branch the next morning and they returned it after verifying my passport. The staff were helpful and said this happens often with foreign cards. A fellow traveller staying at Maison Abaka near Yoff Beach had the same experience with Société Générale and got their Monzo card back. As long as you’re in Dakar, you’ve got a chance.
In Senegal most ATMs are run by Ecobank, Société Générale, and Banque Atlantique. If your card is swallowed, go to the branch with your passport. Ecobank in Dakar usually holds onto foreign cards until the next business day. Société Générale sometimes destroys them right away. Call the hotline on the ATM immediately and freeze your card until you know if you’ll get it back. Cash is essential outside Dakar, so keep CFA francs on hand.