The ATM just swallowed my debit card and didnt return it. This was in Georgia, 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 Liberty Bank ATM in Kutaisi on a Saturday. When I went on Monday, they said the card had already been destroyed. I had to cancel and use my Wise backup. Georgia is partly cash-based outside Tbilisi, so I struggled for a day or two. Lesson: withdraw during working hours at major banks and always bring a spare card plus some lari.
My Monzo Visa was swallowed by a TBC Bank ATM in Tbilisi. I went to the branch the next morning, and they returned it after verifying my ID. The staff spoke good English and were helpful. A fellow traveller also got their Wise card back from Bank of Georgia in Batumi. If you use ATMs at branches, recovery in Georgia is usually straightforward and quick.
In Georgia, the main ATMs are run by TBC Bank, Bank of Georgia, and Liberty Bank. If your card is swallowed, go into the branch with your passport. TBC and Bank of Georgia often return foreign cards if reported within 24 hours. Always call the hotline printed on the ATM immediately. Since smaller towns are cash-heavy, carry Georgian lari while you wait to confirm if you can get your card back.
In Tbilisi Sololaki, a TBC Bank ATM near Rustaveli Avenue captured my card after a chip read error. I called the number on the screen and the operator logged the incident, confirming the ATM would be opened around noon. At TBC Freedom Square, staff returned it once I showed my passport and the last digits. While waiting, I used a Bank of Georgia machine by Galleria Tbilisi with a backup. Tip: take a photo of the ATM ID, keep the receipt (if any), and go to that bank’s main branch the same morning. If you’re leaving for Kazbegi or Kutaisi, cancellation might be faster.