The ATM just swallowed my debit card and didnt return it. This was in Papua New Guinea, close to where Im staying. Any idea if local banks can help? Help SOS how to get it back
I had my Visa also taken by an ANZ ATM in Madang late at night. When I went back the next day, the staff said the card had already been destroyed. I had to cancel and switch to my backup. PNG is extremely cash-reliant outside the capital, so losing my main card left me short for a couple of days. Always keep kina and at least two cards here.
My Wise Visa was taken by a BSP ATM in Port Moresby. I went to the branch the next day, and after checking my ID, they returned it within 40 minutes. The staff were professional and helpful. A fellow traveller also got their Monzo card back from Kina Bank in Lae. If you act quickly and use machines at branches, you can usually recover your card in PNG.
In Papua New Guinea, ATMs are mainly operated by Bank South Pacific (BSP), Kina Bank, and ANZ. If your card is swallowed, head to the branch with your passport. BSP sometimes allows retrieval if reported immediately, but many ATMs destroy foreign cards quickly. Call the hotline shown on the ATM straight away. PNG is very cash-based outside Port Moresby, so always carry kina and a spare card while waiting.
In Port Moresby, my debit card was swallowed by a BSP (Bank South Pacific) ATM near Vision City Mall. Staff told me international cards are not released for security reasons. I canceled mine right away. PNG is extremely cash-reliant, especially outside the capital. Even in Port Moresby, many small eateries and PMVs (local buses) take only kina. If you plan to travel to provinces like Milne Bay or Eastern Highlands, make sure to carry enough cash. Losing a card here can disrupt your trip badly without proper backup.