I was using an ATM near my hostel in Togo, and it took my card and 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?
Yeah, that’s a bummer, but it happens. My Mastercard was eaten by a bank ATM near my hotel. The key is to act fast. Note the exact time, date, and location of the ATM. There should be a phone number on the machine, but your best bet is to contact your own bank's fraud department. They'll likely block the card and issue a new one. Don't expect to get the old one back; it's a security risk. If you have a travel buddy, they can withdraw money for you while you wait for a new card.
Ugh, that's just the worst. A friend of mine had her card swallowed by a bank ATM. The best advice I can give is to not expect to get the card back. The banking system here is not as robust as in larger countries, and their security protocols are likely to dictate that the card be destroyed. Your first priority should be to freeze your account through your mobile banking app. In the meantime, you'll have to rely on other forms of payment or cash. It's a good lesson to always carry a backup card.
This is a traveler's worst nightmare, and in Togo, it can feel like a real crisis. I've had this happen with my Visa card at an ATM in the city center. Trying to get the physical card back can be an exercise in futility. The most important thing is to immediately call your home bank and lock the card to prevent fraud. Your best bet for quick cash is to rely on a secondary card or to get a cash advance from a major hotel if you are staying in one. You may also be able to get a wire transfer from a friend or family member.
That's a classic travel problem, and it's particularly tricky in a country like Togo. When a bank ATM took my card near the Auberge de la Paix hostel in Lomé, I didn't waste any time. The best advice is to immediately call your own bank's international support number. The local banks, like Ecobank or Orabank, often have security protocols that mean they won't return a foreign card and will simply destroy it. Your priority is to get the card frozen to prevent any fraudulent activity while you arrange for a new card to be sent. In the meantime, having a backup credit card from a different network or some emergency cash in CFA francs is a lifesaver.