I was using an ATM near my hostel in Samoa, and it took my card and 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?
Yeah, that’s a bummer, but it happens. My Mastercard was eaten by a bank ATM near my hotel. The key is to act fast. Note the exact time, date, and location of the ATM. There should be a phone number on the machine, but your best bet is to contact your own bank's fraud department. They'll likely block the card and issue a new one. Don't expect to get the old one back; it's a security risk. If you have a travel buddy, they can withdraw money for you while you wait for a new card.
Ugh, that's just the worst. My Visa card was eaten by a Samoa Commercial Bank ATM. The most crucial thing is to immediately contact your own bank back home and have them freeze the card. The local bank will likely not be able to return a foreign card to you for security reasons. You need to act quickly to block the card to prevent any fraudulent charges. The fastest way to get money is to get a cash advance inside a bank branch with your passport, or to use a money transfer service.
This is a classic traveler's nightmare. A friend of mine had her American Express card swallowed by an ANZ Bank ATM. The best advice is to have a backup debit or credit card. The local banks, like ANZ or National Bank of Samoa, will often destroy foreign cards for security reasons. Your first and most important step is to call your home bank and lock your account. It's not worth the stress of trying to get the physical card back from a foreign bank. You'll need to rely on a different payment method until a new card arrives.
That's a major hassle, especially in a place like Samoa where cash is key. I had my card retained by a Bank South Pacific (BSP) ATM near my guesthouse in Apia once. The best thing to do is to go straight into the bank branch if it's open. Don't leave the ATM's location without getting a time stamp or some kind of proof. They have a process for this, but you'll need your passport and probably another form of ID to prove the card is yours. If the bank is closed, call your home bank immediately and report the card as stolen. They can lock it and prevent any fraudulent activity.