My card was taken by an ATM near my hotel in Tunisia. Has this happened to anyone else? Solution?
I had my Wise card taken by a UIB ATM in downtown Tunis two weeks ago. The bank staff were polite but firm: they won’t return foreign cards under any circumstance. I froze it through the Wise app and used my backup Revolut. I now always use ATMs during open hours, and only from big banks like BIAT or Attijari. Also avoid using ATMs attached to random gas stations or shops - those are riskier.
Used a Banque de Tunisie ATM in Sousse and boom - card gone. The screen froze mid-transaction. Luckily I was near the main branch, so I went inside the next day, but they told me they only retrieve Tunisian cards. Had to cancel mine through my banking app. If you’re coming here, always bring at least two cards and never assume you’ll get a swallowed one back. Most banks won’t hand it over even with ID.
Yep, same thing near La Marsa - card went in, no cash came out, and then it just timed out. I called the number on the ATM but they only spoke French and Arabic. The hotel front desk helped me call Attijari Bank, and they confirmed they wouldn’t return a foreign card. If your card gets swallowed in Tunisia, block it right away, and if you don’t have a backup, try Western Union as a temporary fix.
This happened to me at a BIAT ATM in central Tunis near my hostel. No warning, just took my card and shut off. I went into the bank the next morning, but they said they destroy foreign cards for security reasons. Couldn’t get it back. I had to freeze it and switch to my backup card. Lesson learned - never use outdoor machines late at night. Stick to ATMs inside bank branches during business hours.