Lost my card to an ATM in Lesotho

This happened to me in Hlotse at a Standard Lesotho Bank ATM. Card got swallowed late evening, and of course the branch was closed. I came back next morning and they already had my card waiting in an envelope. No fees, no drama, just a bit of delay. Since then, I only withdraw cash during mornings on weekdays, never weekends. Machines here are not unreliable, but timing matters. Always keep some spare rand in your wallet since it’s accepted everywhere in Lesotho without issues.

Best advice: go directly to the branch attached to the ATM. In Lesotho, main banks are Standard Lesotho Bank, Nedbank, and FNB. They all have processes for retrieving cards, but only during weekday hours. My card was taken by an FNB ATM near Kingsway, and they returned it after one day. Bring your ID and be patient. Meanwhile, cash in Lesotho loti or South African rand is easy to get if you’re near the border. Most businesses accept either currency interchangeably.

Bad experience on my side: Nedbank ATM in Maseru Central chewed up my Visa. The bank said they send all swallowed foreign cards to “head office” for security, and they can’t guarantee return. I ended up blocking it immediately and using my backup Mastercard. ATMs here can be temperamental. Always better to use those inside shopping centers like Pioneer Mall where staff are around. If you’re in Lesotho for a short stay, honestly don’t waste time chasing a swallowed card - block it and move on.

I had a card swallowed at a Standard Lesotho Bank ATM in Maseru Mall. I walked into the branch straight away, gave them my passport, and they told me to return at 2 p.m. when the ATM technician comes. Sure enough, they gave it back to me the same day. So yes, in Lesotho the banks can and do help. Meanwhile, most shops and fuel stations in Maseru take cards, so you’re not completely cashless while you wait. Just avoid using machines outside of business hours.