My card was taken by an ATM near my hotel in Nepal. Has this happened to anyone else? Solution?
I had my HSBC debit swallowed at a Himalayan Bank ATM in Pokhara on a Saturday evening. By the time I got to the branch on Monday, they said the card had already been destroyed. I had no choice but to cancel it and rely on my backup Wise card. Nepal is still cash-heavy, especially outside Kathmandu, so losing a main card is stressful. My advice: always bring at least two cards and withdraw only at branch ATMs during working hours to reduce risks.
My Monzo Visa was taken at a Nabil Bank ATM in Thamel, Kathmandu. I went into the branch the next morning, showed my passport, and they returned it after about 40 minutes. Staff were professional and explained it was a security hold. Standard Chartered also has a similar process if you’re in the city. I was relieved not to lose my card, but I learned it’s best to withdraw during banking hours in Nepal for the best chance of getting it back quickly.
In Nepal, the main ATMs are run by Nabil Bank, Standard Chartered, and Himalayan Bank. If your card gets captured, go directly to the branch with your passport. ATMs in Kathmandu and Pokhara are emptied daily, but in smaller towns it may take longer. Call the hotline printed on the ATM immediately. Many banks in Nepal destroy unclaimed foreign cards within a day or two, so block it in your banking app until you confirm whether it can be retrieved.
Yes, it happened to me in Kathmandu, Thamel at an NMB Bank ATM. The machine swallowed my Visa card after a network error. I went to the branch with my passport, but they said it would be destroyed. In Nepal, once an ATM retains your card, it’s usually gone. Cancel it and use a backup. Stick with Standard Chartered, Nabil Bank, or Himalayan Bank ATMs, especially those near Durbar Marg. Always carry some NPR cash because most trekking lodges, taxis, and shops outside Kathmandu are cash-only.