The ATM just swallowed my debit card and didnt return it. This was in Romania, close to where Im staying. Any idea if local banks can help? Help SOS how to get it back
This happened to me at a Raiffeisen ATM in Cluj-Napoca. I’d just finished entering my PIN when the screen froze, and the machine didn’t return my card. I went into the branch the next morning with my passport, explained what happened, and the staff were super helpful. Since the ATM was attached to that branch, they were able to retrieve my card after verifying my ID. But they told me if it had been a freestanding ATM, like at a mall or petrol station, it would’ve been destroyed after a few days. Definitely go straight to the bank and don’t wait too long.
I had my Revolut debit card swallowed by a Banca Transilvania ATM in Brasov just last month. It was outside a supermarket and not linked to a full branch, which complicated things. I contacted their support line (the number was on the ATM), and they told me the ATM gets emptied twice a week. Because my card wasn’t issued by a Romanian bank, they said they couldn’t return it to me it would be shredded. I had to freeze the card and reorder it through the app. Locals told me that’s a common policy here: if the card’s foreign, they won’t give it back. Lesson learned always carry a backup.
I ran into this exact issue in Bucharest near Piața Romana my Monzo card got taken by a UniCredit ATM on a Sunday evening. I waited until Monday morning and visited the branch right next door. The manager was polite but said since the card was foreign and I wasn’t a UniCredit account holder, they couldn’t release it for security reasons. They confirmed the card was still in the machine but would be destroyed after processing. I had to cancel it and switch to my Wise card for the rest of the trip. Frustrating, but they were professional about it.
In Sibiu, my Canadian Visa debit card was taken by a CEC Bank ATM after a failed withdrawal. It was late, and I panicked a bit, but the next morning I went to the CEC branch it was attached to and asked to speak to someone in English. They brought out a staff member who explained that unless I had an account with them, the card couldn’t be returned. He advised me to block it with my home bank immediately. I was glad I had cash as backup. From what I’ve heard from other travellers too Romanian banks won’t hand back foreign cards even if they find them in the machine.
BCR ATM didnt work at all. Waste of time.
BRD ATM jammed-money got stuck inside. Super annoying.
Revolut card got eaten at Transilvania ATM. Not ideal, no help nearby.
Transilvania ATM often out of cash. Cant rely on it fully. Was about to eat my card and I cancelled quickly!!