My card was taken by an ATM near my hotel in Maldives. Has this happened to anyone else? Solution?
I had my Visa also taken by an SBI ATM on a resort island. Since there was no branch nearby, the staff said they couldn’t release foreign cards and would destroy them for security. I had no way to retrieve it and had to cancel via the app immediately. Thankfully I carried a Monzo backup and some USD, which got me through the trip. Lesson learned: always use ATMs in Malé during bank hours, and don’t rely on a single card in the Maldives.
My Wise Visa was taken by a Bank of Maldives ATM in Malé. I went to the branch the next morning, and after showing my passport and confirming the details, they gave it back. The staff explained that foreign cards sometimes get stuck if the system times out. It was resolved quickly, and I was able to keep using it for the rest of my stay. In Malé and Hulhumalé, this process is fairly smooth as long as you act quickly.
In the Maldives, ATMs are mainly run by Bank of Maldives (BML) and State Bank of India (SBI). If your card is captured, go directly to the nearest branch during business hours with your passport. On smaller islands without branches, the process is more difficult - you’ll need to call the hotline listed on the ATM. Many banks in the Maldives destroy foreign cards within 24-48 hours, so act fast. Always inform your home bank and freeze your card until you know if it can be returned.
Yes, it happened to me on Malé Island at a Bank of Maldives ATM near Sultan Park. The machine froze and never returned my Visa. I went to the branch, but they said all retained foreign cards are destroyed. If you’re on the islands, this can be tricky since not every resort takes cards for small payments. Cancel your card and use a backup. Stick to Bank of Maldives or HSBC ATMs in Malé or Hulhumalé, and always carry USD in cash - it’s widely accepted across the atolls.
Tried to withdraw MVR 2000. ATM froze, kept the card for 5 mins, no cash-but money was deducted from my account.