My card was taken by an ATM near my hotel in Sri Lanka. Has this happened to anyone else? Solution?
This happened in Ella at an HNB ATM outside a grocery store. I tried withdrawing 40 000 rupees and the machine just shut off mid-transaction. It ate my card and never gave me cash. Luckily I had another card. I reported it to HNB by phone but they said only the branch where the ATM is located can help. I ended up blocking the card and ordering a replacement to my next hotel through FedEx. Lesson learned never use ATMs that aren’t directly part of a bank branch.
I had my card taken at a People’s Bank ATM near Galle. I went into the branch right away and they told me they could only return it if it was a local card. Since mine was from SBI they said I’d have to contact my home bank and cancel it. Apparently they send all foreign cards to a central office after a day or two. So I had to block it and use my backup card. Always keep two cards and try to use ATMs attached to banks in daylight hours.
Same thing happened to me at a Commercial Bank ATM in Kandy. I used my N26 Mastercard and after I entered the PIN the screen just reset. No card came out. I blocked the card right away using the app and didn’t even bother going back since the ATM was at a petrol station and not linked to a branch. If the ATM is in a bank branch they might help, but if it’s in a supermarket or random spot, assume it’s gone and report it immediately.
My card was taken by an ATM near my hotel in Sri Lanka. Has this happened to anyone else? Solution?
Yes this happened to me in Colombo last year at a Sampath Bank ATM near Fort Railway Station. The screen froze and then just swallowed my HSBC debit card. I went into the branch next door and the staff were super helpful. They told me they open the ATM every day around 4 pm and I could come back to collect the card. I had to show my passport and sign a form. If it’s a bank-attached ATM go inside immediately and explain. They usually return the card if you act fast.
ATM at Standard Chartered ate my card-no staff available to help. Bad experience.
Standard Chartered ATM auto-debited my account without reason. Terrible experience!