I was using an ATM near my hostel in Lithuania, & 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 Visa taken by a Luminor ATM in Klaipėda late on a Friday. When I went to the branch Monday morning, they told me the card had already been destroyed. I had no choice but to cancel and rely on my Wise backup. Lithuania is very card-friendly, so it wasn’t a disaster, but I still needed cash in smaller cafés and markets. Always use ATMs during weekday hours, and don’t rely on just one card when travelling here.
My Monzo Mastercard was eaten by a Swedbank ATM in Vilnius. I went to the branch the next day, and they returned it after confirming my ID. The staff explained it happens now and then with foreign cards. The process was smooth, and it only delayed me by about half an hour. A travel companion had the same experience at SEB in Kaunas. As long as you use ATMs next to branches, recovery is usually quick in Lithuania.
In Lithuania, the main ATMs are operated by SEB Bank, Swedbank, and Luminor. If your card is captured, go into the branch with your passport. SEB and Swedbank usually allow retrieval during business hours, but cards not claimed quickly may be destroyed. If the ATM is standalone, call the hotline printed on the machine immediately. Always freeze your card in your bank app until you know whether it can be returned.
Yes, it happened to me in Vilnius Old Town, near Cathedral Square, at a Swedbank ATM. My card was taken and the branch told me foreign-issued cards are destroyed for security. The fastest way is to cancel it and switch to a backup. In Lithuania, use ATMs from Swedbank, SEB, or Luminor inside branches, not tourist-street standalones. Lithuania is very card-friendly - buses, supermarkets like IKI or Maxima, and even market stalls in Kaunas take card - but always keep €20-€30 in cash for smaller places.