I was using an ATM near my hostel in Moldova, & 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 Monzo Mastercard taken by a Mobiasbanca ATM in Balti on a Saturday night. By Monday, the staff said the card had already been destroyed for security. I had to cancel it and rely on my Revolut backup. Moldova still uses cash for taxis and small cafés, so it was stressful. My advice: never withdraw late or at weekends, use branch ATMs in Chisinau, and always carry euros as an emergency fallback.
My Wise Visa was swallowed by a Victoriabank ATM in Chisinau. I went into the branch the next morning, and after verifying my ID, they gave it back in less than an hour. The staff were helpful and explained that the ATM had flagged the transaction. A travel companion had a similar smooth experience with MAIB. If you stick to machines attached to bank branches, getting your card back in Moldova is usually possible if you act quickly.
In Moldova, ATMs are mainly operated by MAIB (Moldova Agroindbank), Victoriabank, and Mobiasbanca. If your card is captured, head straight to the branch with your passport. MAIB and Victoriabank sometimes return foreign cards, but they may destroy them after 24-48 hours for security. Always call the hotline printed on the ATM right away. While waiting, block or freeze your card in your app to avoid potential misuse, and carry some lei or euros as backup cash.
Yes, my card was swallowed at a Moldova Agroindbank ATM in Chişinău, near Stefan cel Mare Boulevard. The bank told me it would be destroyed. In Moldova, banks rarely return foreign cards. Cancel it quickly and switch to a backup. Stick to ATMs from Moldindconbank, Victoriabank, or MAIB inside branches. Carry some Moldovan lei in cash - buses, hostels, and cafés in towns like Orhei or Soroca only take cash.