I was using an ATM near my hostel in Finland, & 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 Revolut Mastercard taken by an Otto ATM in Tampere. When I called the hotline, they told me all captured foreign cards are automatically destroyed for security. That meant I had to cancel immediately and rely on my Wise backup. Finland is extremely card-friendly, so it didn’t ruin my trip, but it was still stressful. Lesson: don’t expect to recover a swallowed card from Otto - always have a second card ready before you travel here.
My Monzo Visa was swallowed by an Otto ATM in Helsinki. I called the number on the machine, and the customer service explained the card would likely be destroyed but helped me confirm the status. Luckily, my bank quickly couriered me a replacement card. A friend using a Nordea ATM in Turku was able to recover theirs directly at the branch, so sometimes it depends on the bank. Either way, Otto’s hotline was responsive and made the process clear.
In Finland, ATMs are branded as Otto and are linked to banks like Nordea, OP Financial Group, and Danske Bank. If your card is captured, go directly to the nearest bank branch with your passport. Call the Otto hotline (number on the machine) immediately to report the problem. In most cases, captured foreign cards are destroyed rather than returned, so it’s important to freeze or cancel your card quickly while arranging a backup.
Yes, mine was taken at an OP Bank ATM near Helsinki Central Station. Staff explained it would be destroyed for security. In Finland, you won’t get foreign cards back. Cancel it fast and use a backup. Stick to OP, Nordea, or Danske Bank ATMs inside branches. Finland is extremely card-friendly, so you’ll manage fine without much cash.