I was using an ATM near my hostel in Macau, & 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 my Revolut Mastercard taken by an ICBC ATM in Taipa on a Sunday evening. By the time I reached the branch on Monday, they said the card had already been destroyed. I had to cancel it and use my Monzo backup. Macau is cash-friendly in local markets and taxis, so being left without my main card was stressful. Always withdraw during bank hours and carry a spare card or some patacas or HKD as backup.
My Wise Visa was swallowed by a Bank of China ATM near Senado Square. I went to the branch the next morning, and the staff returned it after verifying my details. They explained that sometimes ATMs retain cards due to chip errors. It was resolved in less than an hour. Friends also had good experiences with BNU. If you use ATMs in central areas near branches, recovery is usually straightforward in Macau.
In Macau, ATMs are mainly operated by Banco Nacional Ultramarino (BNU), ICBC Macau, and Bank of China. If your card is captured, go directly to the branch with your passport. Machines are serviced daily, but foreign cards may be destroyed quickly for security. Call the hotline displayed on the ATM immediately. Until you confirm whether it can be retrieved, freeze or block your card through your banking app to stay protected.
Yes, mine was taken at a Bank of China ATM near Senado Square. The machine retained it without warning. The branch staff said foreign-issued cards are not returned, only destroyed. The fastest step is to cancel it with your bank abroad and use a backup. In Macau, use Bank of China, ICBC, or BNU ATMs inside casinos or shopping centers, where they are more reliable. Always carry some MOP or HKD cash - many small restaurants and hostels in Taipa and Coloane prefer it.