The ATM just swallowed my debit card and didnt return it. This was in Israel, 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 Bank Hapoalim ATM in Haifa late on Saturday. By Sunday, the branch staff told me the card had already been destroyed. I had to cancel it and use my Monzo backup. Israel is very card-friendly overall, but cash is still needed in markets or small cafés. My advice: withdraw during weekday banking hours and always bring two cards.
My Wise Visa was eaten by a Bank Leumi ATM in Tel Aviv. I went to the branch the next morning, and after checking my ID, they returned it in under an hour. The staff were professional and explained it was a system glitch. A friend also recovered their Monzo from a Discount Bank branch in Jerusalem. If you use ATMs inside branches, you usually have a chance to recover your card in Israel.
In Israel, the main ATMs are run by Bank Hapoalim, Bank Leumi, and Discount Bank. If your card is captured, go to the branch with your passport. Some banks, especially Bank Hapoalim, allow retrieval if you act quickly, but many destroy foreign cards after a day or two. Call the hotline printed on the ATM right away. Israel is very card-friendly, but small kiosks and taxis may still want cash, so keep some shekels.
My card got stuck at a Leumi Bank ATM in Tel Aviv near Rothschild Boulevard. No error, it just didn’t spit it back out. The bank opened at 9 a.m. and told me that foreign cards are usually destroyed for “security reasons.” Best bet is to cancel with your home bank. Lesson learned: always carry a backup card when traveling here.