ATM swallowed my card in Cameroon

I had my Visa also taken by an Afriland First Bank ATM in Douala on a Sunday. By the time I went to the branch Monday, they said the card had already been destroyed for security reasons. I had no choice but to cancel it and use my Wise backup. Cameroon is heavily cash-based, so losing my main card made the trip stressful. My tip: always withdraw during bank hours, carry backup cash, and keep at least two cards when travelling here.

My Monzo Visa was captured by an Ecobank ATM in Yaoundé. I went to the branch the next morning, and after verifying my passport, they gave it back within an hour. The staff were used to this issue, and they explained that sometimes foreign cards trigger security holds. A friend had a similar positive outcome at Société Générale Cameroun. The process was slower than in Europe, but still workable. I’d say always use ATMs attached to branches in Cameroon, never standalone ones.

In Cameroon, ATMs are mainly operated by Afriland First Bank, Société Générale Cameroun, and Ecobank. If your card is taken, go to the branch with your passport. Some banks may return it, but often foreign cards are destroyed quickly for security. Call the number printed on the ATM immediately. Since many parts of Cameroon are cash-heavy, it’s crucial to carry enough CFA francs or a backup card in case retrieval isn’t possible. Always freeze your card in your banking app while you wait.

Yes, it happened in Yaoundé near Mokolo Market, at a UBA (United Bank for Africa) ATM. The card vanished without warning. Staff explained it would not be returned, only destroyed. In Cameroon, if your card is swallowed, cancel it quickly and use a backup. Safer choices are Ecobank, UBA, or Société Générale ATMs in downtown Douala or Yaoundé. Always keep CFA francs cash, as most taxis, hostels, and food stalls don’t take cards.