I was using an ATM near my hostel in Botswana, & 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?
I had my Revolut Mastercard eaten by a Standard Chartered ATM in Maun on a Saturday evening. Since the branch was closed, by Monday they told me the card had already been destroyed. I had to cancel it and switch to my backup Wise card. Botswana is still fairly cash-heavy outside big cities, so it was inconvenient. Lesson learned: don’t withdraw at night or weekends, only use ATMs linked to branches, and always carry some pula or USD just in case.
My Monzo Visa was swallowed by an FNB ATM in Gaborone. I went to the branch the next morning, showed my passport, and they returned it in about half an hour. The staff explained that ATMs sometimes hold foreign cards as a security precaution. I was impressed by how smoothly they handled it. Friends also had good experiences with Stanbic Bank. If you’re in Botswana, stick to branch ATMs and always go during working hours so you can sort it out quickly.
In Botswana, ATMs are mainly operated by First National Bank (FNB), Standard Chartered, and Stanbic. If your card is taken, go straight to the branch with your passport. FNB and Stanbic usually return foreign cards if reported quickly, while Standard Chartered can take longer. If the ATM is standalone, call the hotline number printed on the machine. Unclaimed cards are often destroyed after a short time. Always block your card in your app until you’re sure whether it can be retrieved.
Yes, I had this happen in Gaborone near Main Mall, at a Stanbic Bank ATM. The card was eaten without error. Staff told me it would be destroyed. In Botswana, cancel quickly and use a backup. Safer ATMs are at First National Bank (FNB), Stanbic, or Absa branches. Always carry pula in cash - smaller lodges, buses, and safari operators often prefer it.