I was using an ATM near my hostel in Mauritius, & 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 an SBM ATM in Flic en Flac on a Saturday night. By Monday morning, the staff said the card had already been destroyed for security. I had to cancel it and switch to my Wise backup. Mauritius is still partly cash-heavy for taxis and local food stalls, so it caused some hassle. My advice: only withdraw during bank hours, and always bring at least two cards plus some MUR or USD as emergency cash.
My Monzo Visa was swallowed by an MCB ATM in Port Louis. I went to the branch the next morning with my ID, and they returned it after about half an hour. The staff were professional and explained it was a technical issue. A friend had the same positive experience with SBM in Grand Baie. As long as you use ATMs attached to branches and go during working hours, recovery in Mauritius is usually quick.
In Mauritius, ATMs are mostly operated by MCB (Mauritius Commercial Bank), SBM Bank, and Barclays (Absa). If your card is captured, go to the branch with your passport. MCB and SBM sometimes return foreign cards if you act quickly, but often they destroy them within 48 hours. Call the hotline printed on the machine right away. Until you know the outcome, freeze your card through your banking app.
Yes, it happened at a Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB) ATM in Port Louis near Caudan Waterfront. The machine froze and took my Visa. The bank told me it would be destroyed. The quickest solution is to cancel the card and switch to your backup. Use MCB or SBM ATMs inside branches or malls like Bagatelle Mall for more reliability. Always carry Mauritian rupees in cash - buses, street vendors, and small guesthouses across the island rely on it.