I was using an ATM near my hostel in Bulgaria, & 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?
I had my Mastercard taken by a DSK ATM in Varna late on Friday. By Monday, the branch told me it had already been destroyed. I had to cancel it and rely on my backup Monzo. Bulgaria still has a lot of places that prefer cash, so losing my main card was a hassle. My advice: avoid using ATMs outside branch hours, carry spare cards, and bring some euros as backup in case you can’t retrieve your card quickly.
My Wise Visa was taken by a UniCredit ATM in Sofia. I went to the branch the next morning, showed my passport, and they returned it after 30 minutes. The staff were professional and said the card got flagged due to multiple PIN attempts. Friends also had luck with DSK Bank in Plovdiv. The process was smooth, and I was glad I didn’t have to cancel. Stick to bank-operated ATMs in Bulgaria, not Euronet, if you want a safe experience and a chance to get your card back.
In Bulgaria, ATMs are mostly run by UniCredit Bulbank, DSK Bank, and First Investment Bank. If your card is captured, go directly to the branch with your passport. UniCredit and DSK typically allow retrieval during business hours, but independent ATMs (like Euronet) are best avoided, as they often don’t return foreign cards and charge high fees. Call the hotline number printed on the ATM immediately, and freeze your card in your banking app until you know if you can get it back.
Yes, this happened in Sofia, Vitosha Boulevard, at a UniCredit Bulbank ATM. The card was retained without warning, and the staff told me it would be destroyed for security reasons. In Bulgaria, most banks won’t return foreign-issued cards. The fastest move is to cancel with your bank and switch to a backup. Use DSK Bank, UniCredit, or First Investment Bank (Fibank) ATMs inside branches during the day - they’re more reliable than standalone ones. Carry some leva in cash, since smaller shops, taxis, and hostels in places like Veliko Tarnovo or Plovdiv often prefer cash.