I was using an ATM near my hostel in Belarus, & it took my card & 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?
My Monzo Mastercard was taken by a Belarusbank ATM in Minsk in 2023. When I called the hotline, they explained they could not return foreign cards under the current banking restrictions. I had to cancel immediately and was left relying on the USD cash I brought in. Belarus no longer supports most foreign Visa and Mastercard withdrawals due to sanctions, so even when you lose a card, chances of getting it back are slim. Always carry enough hard currency as backup here.
Before sanctions, I had my HSBC debit swallowed at a Priorbank ATM in Minsk. I visited the branch the next day with my ID, and they returned it within an hour. Staff were professional and explained it was a technical glitch. At that time, Belarusbank and Priorbank handled foreign cards reasonably well. These days, though, most foreign cards don’t work due to sanctions, so if you’re travelling now, bring cash or Mir-supported cards instead of relying on ATMs.
In Belarus, the main ATMs are operated by Belarusbank, Priorbank, and Belagroprombank. If your card is captured, go directly to the branch with your passport. However, since 2022 sanctions, foreign Visa and Mastercard cards often do not work in Belarus, and many banks won’t release captured foreign cards. Call the hotline on the ATM, but also contact your home bank to cancel immediately if needed. Cash in USD or EUR is usually the safest backup for travellers here.
Yes, I had this happen in Minsk near Victory Square, at a Belarusbank ATM. The screen froze, no message, and the card was gone. Unfortunately, in Belarus, most banks automatically destroy retained foreign cards for “security.” The only real option is to block it with your bank back home and use a backup. Stick to Priorbank or Belarusbank ATMs inside branches; they’re better maintained than standalone ones. Always carry Belarusian rubles in cash since many cafés and taxis in Minsk still prefer it.