I was using an ATM near my hostel in Guinea-Bissau, & 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've been in that exact spot, and it's frustrating. My Visa card was swallowed by a bank ATM near my guesthouse in the city. Don't waste time trying to negotiate with the local bank. Your home bank's international support line is your best friend. They can block the card right away. I've had to get a new card sent internationally before, and it can take up to a week. In the meantime, I relied on a prepaid travel card and emergency cash I had saved. The local ATMs can be a bit dodgy, so always be prepared for this possibility.
Ugh, that's the absolute worst. My friend's card was retained by a bank ATM in Bissau. The most important thing is to immediately call your own bank. The local bank, like Ecobank, will probably not be able to return a foreign card to you for security reasons. They will just destroy it. You need to act quickly to block the card to prevent any fraudulent charges. The fastest way to get money is to get a cash advance inside a bank branch with your passport, or to use a money transfer service while you wait for a new card.
This is a common issue with older ATMs, and in Guinea-Bissau, it can feel like a real crisis. When a BDU (Banco de Desenvolvimento Unido) ATM ate my card, I immediately went to a local Western Union. The best advice is to have a friend or family member send you money so you have a temporary cash flow. Trying to get the physical card back can be an exercise in futility. It's not worth the stress. Contact your home bank, cancel the card, and rely on other methods until a new card arrives.
That's a major pain, especially where ATMs can be few and far between. This happened to me with a Bank of West Africa ATM in Bissau. Your first move is to not leave the ATM. Take a picture of the machine and note the exact time and date. The best and fastest way to deal with this is to go into the bank branch the ATM is attached to, if possible. Don't be surprised if they tell you they can't help with a foreign card and will have to destroy it. Your ultimate solution will be to contact your home bank immediately and have a new card sent, which is why it's always a good idea to travel with a backup card.