The ATM just swallowed my debit card and didnt return it. This was in Mongolia, 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 Khan Bank ATM in Erdenet late at night. By the next morning, staff told me it had already been destroyed for security. I had to cancel and switch to my backup Monzo. Mongolia is extremely cash-reliant outside the capital, so losing my main card was stressful. Lesson: withdraw only during business hours and always carry spare tugrik or USD.
My Monzo Visa was eaten by a Golomt Bank ATM in Ulaanbaatar. I went to the branch the next morning, and after showing my passport, they returned it within an hour. Staff spoke some English and were very professional. A friend also recovered a Wise card from TDB Bank in Darkhan. As long as you use ATMs attached to branches, you usually have a good chance of getting your card back in Mongolia.
In Mongolia, the main ATMs are run by Khan Bank, Golomt Bank, and Trade & Development Bank (TDB). If your card is captured, head straight to the nearest branch with your passport. Khan Bank usually allows retrieval if you act quickly, but standalone ATMs often destroy foreign cards within 24-48 hours. Call the hotline printed on the ATM immediately. Mongolia is still very cash-based outside Ulaanbaatar, so always keep tugrik in hand while waiting to resolve the issue.
In Ulaanbaatar, I used a Golomt Bank ATM near Sukhbaatar Square, and my card was swallowed with no explanation. Staff at the nearby branch said foreign cards are destroyed. I froze my account immediately. Mongolia is still largely cash-based, so I relied on tugrik I had exchanged earlier. Always bring spare USD to swap at banks here.