My card was taken by an ATM near my hotel in Somalia. Has this happened to anyone else? Solution?
Honestly, best not to use ATMs in Somalia with foreign cards. Even if one works, there’s a big risk of the machine keeping it. Always carry USD cash - it’s widely accepted everywhere. If your card is taken, report it, but plan as if it’s gone. Have at least two cards and keep one as a backup you never use locally.
My Revolut card was eaten by a Dahabshiil ATM in Hargeisa. Staff told me they automatically destroy foreign cards for security, no exceptions. Somalia and Somaliland are heavily cash-based anyway, so I had to rely entirely on USD I brought with me. Don’t expect to ever get a swallowed card back outside Mogadishu.
A colleague in Mogadishu had their Wise card taken by a Salaam Somali Bank ATM near KM4. They went to the branch the next day and surprisingly got it back after ID verification. Staff said it doesn’t always happen, but at major branches in Mogadishu, retrieval can be possible.
ATMs in Somalia are extremely limited and mostly tied to Dahabshiil, Salaam Somali Bank, and Premier Bank. Many do not process foreign cards well. If your card is swallowed, try going to the branch with your passport, but chances of retrieval are slim. Most foreign travellers rely on USD cash. If it happens, freeze your card immediately and call your bank back home.