I was using an ATM near my hostel in Iraq, & 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?
Yeah, that’s a bummer, but it happens. My Visa card was eaten by a bank ATM in the Green Zone. The most crucial thing to do is to contact your bank's fraud department. The local bank will likely not be able to help. The card will almost certainly be destroyed. Don't panic; your money is not gone. You'll need to rely on alternative payment methods like a secondary card or a cash wire transfer. It’s a good lesson to always be prepared for the worst-case scenario.
Ugh, that's the worst feeling, especially when you're in a foreign country. A friend of mine had her American Express card eaten by a bank ATM in Erbil. The best advice I can give is to have a backup debit or credit card. Local banks in Iraq, such as the Bank of Baghdad, are very particular about their procedures. It’s highly unlikely they will hand a foreign card back to you. Your first priority should be to freeze the account through your mobile banking app to prevent any fraud, and then start the process of getting a replacement card.
Oh man, that's a classic travel nightmare. I had my Mastercard retained by an Arab Bank Iraq ATM once. Don't waste time calling the bank's general number; go straight to a branch manager if possible. They will probably tell you they will have to destroy the card for security reasons. The best and most safe advice is to call your home bank immediately and report the card as lost or stolen. You can then get a new one sent to you, which is the safest option. For quick cash, see if a friend can wire you money through a service like Western Union.
That's a serious problem, and in a place like Iraq, it's best to handle it carefully. I've heard this happen to other travelers. The fastest way to deal with this is to go into the bank branch the ATM belongs to. I had a similar issue with a First Iraqi Bank ATM. The staff were able to help, but it took a lot of paperwork and showing my passport and other ID to prove it was my card. They have protocols for this, but don't expect it to be a quick fix. You’ll need to be patient, but your best chance of getting the card back is with the local bank.