I was using an ATM near my hostel in Hong Kong, & it took my card & never gave it back. No error message, just gone. Has anyone had this happen? Whats the fastest way to get it back? Any advice on who to call or what to do next?
I had the same thing happen at a Standard Chartered ATM in Causeway Bay. No message, no refund, just silence. I was using a Capital One card from the US. I called the number on the ATM and they told me to visit the nearest branch. When I got there the next morning they told me they don’t return foreign-issued cards and would destroy it after retrieval. They said it was their policy. I ended up calling Capital One to block the card and ship a replacement to my next hotel. Would definitely recommend carrying two cards in Hong Kong just in case.
Used an HSBC ATM in Mong Kok and the machine swallowed my Erste Bank card without warning. I went inside the HSBC branch next door and told them exactly what happened. They asked for my passport and wrote up a report. Two days later I went back and they handed me the card in an envelope. The key was that the ATM was directly connected to a working branch. If it had been a standalone machine, I doubt I would have seen it again. Report it immediately and go in person to speed things up.
I lost my Monzo card in a Hang Seng Bank ATM in Tsim Sha Tsui last week. Same thing, no error, just ate the card. I used the phone number on the ATM to report it. They gave me a reference number and asked me to visit the branch with my passport. The staff were helpful but told me they usually destroy foreign cards for security reasons. I still went in and tried, but no luck. Had to cancel it and rely on my backup card. If your card is from outside Hong Kong, there’s a good chance they won’t return it even if they find it.
This happened to me in Central last month at a Bank of China ATM near my hostel. It just took my Wise card and the screen froze. No message, nothing. I went to the Bank of China branch around the corner the next morning with my passport and told them the exact time and location. They checked their records and confirmed the ATM had taken the card. They said they collect stuck cards every 24 to 48 hours and would call me if mine was recoverable. I got it back two days later. Definitely go to the bank branch connected to the ATM as soon as possible and bring your ID.