I was using an ATM near my hostel in Algeria, & it took my card & never gave it back. No error message, just gone. Has anyone had this happen? Whats the fastest way to get it back? Any advice on who to call or what to do next?
An ATM near my hotel in Annaba retained my card during an evening withdrawal. I spoke to the hotel concierge, who directed me to the bank branch managing the machine. They confirmed it had been pulled in for security and asked me to return next morning with ID. If your debit card is taken in Algeria, go to the exact branch managing the ATM and ask for assistance - banks don’t destroy foreign cards right away. I eventually recovered mine, but learned to always use machines during bank hours.
My N26 debit card was taken by a Banque Exterieure d’Algerie ATM in Constantine. I contacted their main customer service (you’ll find the number online or at the branch), and they actually retrieved the card after verifying my ID. It took two days. Lost card recovery at Algerian banks varies wildly - some are helpful, others won’t even acknowledge the issue. Always carry a backup card or have some EUR or USD on hand to exchange if needed. Avoid weekend withdrawals - bank branches close early or don’t open at all.
Lost my Wise card to a Credit Populaire d’Algerie ATM in Oran - it just swallowed it. Bank was closed, and when I returned the next day, they claimed no card was found. That machine was outside a hotel, not a branch. ATM card swallowed in Algeria? You’ve got to act fast and hope it’s a branch-owned machine. If not, consider it gone. I froze the card using my app and switched to cash for the rest of the trip. From then on, I stuck to in-bank ATMs only.
This happened to me at a Banque Nationale d’Algerie ATM near Didouche Mourad Street in Algiers. The card just disappeared - no beep, no message. I rushed into the branch next door the next morning with my passport. Luckily, because it was a bank-owned machine and I reported it fast, they retrieved it within 24 hours. If you're using foreign debit cards at Algerian ATMs, always prefer ATMs attached to bank branches. For standalone ones, you may never get your card back. Call your card issuer to block it immediately just in case.