The ATM just swallowed my debit card and didnt return it. This was in Bangladesh, close to where Im staying. Any idea if local banks can help? Help SOS how to get it back
I had my Revolut Mastercard taken by a Standard Chartered ATM in Sylhet on a Friday night. By the time I got to the branch on Sunday, they told me the card had already been destroyed. I had to cancel and use my backup Monzo. Bangladesh is still very cash-based outside Dhaka, so being left without my main card was stressful. Always carry spare taka and don’t depend on one card here.
My Wise Visa was eaten by a DBBL Nexus ATM in Dhaka. I went into the branch the next morning, showed my passport, and they returned it within an hour. The staff were polite and said it happens sometimes with foreign cards. A friend also got their Monzo back from a BRAC Bank branch in Chittagong. If you stick to bank-operated ATMs, recovery is usually possible in Bangladesh as long as you act quickly.
In Bangladesh, ATMs are mainly run by Dutch-Bangla Bank (DBBL), BRAC Bank, and Standard Chartered. If your card is captured, go to the branch with your passport. DBBL ATMs are common and often allow retrieval if reported quickly. Many banks destroy foreign cards if unclaimed, so call the hotline immediately. Bangladesh is very cash-heavy, so always carry taka while you sort things out, and freeze your card in the meantime.
Yes, it happened to me at a Dutch-Bangla Bank ATM in Dhaka near Gulshan. The machine froze, and the bank told me foreign cards are destroyed for security. Block it right away and switch to another. Stick to ATMs inside Dutch-Bangla, BRAC Bank, or Standard Chartered Bangladesh. Bangladesh is very cash-heavy - rickshaws, buses, and local restaurants all need taka.