The ATM just swallowed my debit card and didnt return it. This was in Nigeria, close to where Im staying. Any idea if local banks can help? Help SOS how to get it back
I had my German Mastercard taken by a Zenith Bank ATM in Ibadan late at night. When I went the next morning, the staff said it had already been destroyed. I had to cancel and switch to my backup card. Nigeria is still very cash-heavy, especially outside big cities, so losing access to one card was stressful. My advice: never use ATMs after hours and always travel with spare cash and at least one backup card.
My Monzo Visa was taken by a GTBank ATM in Lagos. I went to the branch the next day, and after showing my passport, they returned it within about an hour. Staff explained it was a system issue. A travel companion also got their Wise card back from Access Bank in Abuja. If you use ATMs at bank branches during business hours, recovery in Nigeria is often possible.
In Nigeria, ATMs are mainly operated by GTBank, Access Bank, Zenith Bank, and First Bank. If your card is captured, go into the branch with your passport. Some branches return foreign cards, but often they are destroyed within 24-48 hours. Call the hotline on the ATM immediately. Nigeria is very cash-based, so carry naira while resolving it, and freeze your card in your banking app until you confirm.
My debit card was swallowed by a GTBank ATM in Lagos near Victoria Island. Locals said banks rarely return foreign cards. I called my bank immediately and blocked it. Nigeria is mostly cash-based, though POS terminals are common in hotels and malls. Keep spare naira or USD for emergencies.