My card was taken by an ATM near my hotel in Nicaragua. Has this happened to anyone else? Solution?
I had my Mastercard taken by a BAC Credomatic ATM in León late at night. When I called the hotline, they told me the card would be destroyed for security and couldn’t be collected. I had to cancel and use my Monzo backup. Nicaragua is still very cash-based, so it was inconvenient. Independent ATMs should definitely be avoided - they often don’t accept foreign cards. My advice: only use BAC or BANPRO during business hours and always carry USD as a fallback.
My Wise Visa was eaten by a BANPRO ATM in Granada. I went to the branch the next morning with my passport, and the staff returned it after verifying my details. They said it happens fairly often with international cards. BAC Credomatic in Managua has a similar procedure, but it’s best to act fast. I was happy to get it back without cancelling, but I now always use ATMs connected to banks rather than those in petrol stations or supermarkets.
In Nicaragua, ATMs are mostly run by BAC Credomatic, Banco de la Producción (BANPRO), and Banco Lafise. If your card is swallowed, go directly into the bank branch with your ID. BAC and BANPRO sometimes return cards if you ask quickly, but foreign cards are often destroyed within 24-48 hours. Always call the hotline on the ATM to report it, and block your card through your banking app until you know whether it can be retrieved.
Yes, I lost mine at a BAC Credomatic ATM in Managua near Metrocentro Mall. The machine retained my Mastercard, and the bank confirmed foreign cards are destroyed. If this happens, block your card and switch to a backup. In Nicaragua, the most reliable ATMs are from Banco Lafise Bancentro or BAC Credomatic in big malls or near hotels. Always carry some córdobas or USD, as small shops and colectivos outside Managua are cash-only.