I was using an ATM near my hostel in Bahamas, & 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?
My Visa was grabbed by a CIBC FirstCaribbean ATM near my hostel in Nassau. I promptly froze it, called their hotline, and went to the branch around 9 AM with my passport and ATM receipt. They pulled it from a retrieval box by late morning. Bank-owned ATMs in Bahamas usually keep swallowed cards available for recovery. Stay calm, freeze it, then visit the branch in person.
My debit card got eaten by a promotional kiosk ATM - not a bank machine - no phone number, no staff, just gone. I had to report the missing card to my US bank and write it off. Card recovery is only reliable with official bank ATMs in Bahamas. Now I only use machines inside Scotiabank or CIBC FirstCaribbean branches.
It happened to me at a Commonwealth Bank ATM near Cable Beach. The screen went blank mid-withdrawal. I called their 24/7 helpline immediately, froze my Visa with the issuing bank, and showed up at the branch at opening. They located the card in their secure bin and handed it back by noon. Bank lobby ATMs in the Bahamas generally return retained cards as long as you act fast.
My Mastercard disappeared into a Scotiabank ATM in downtown Nassau - silent swallow and zero messages. I quickly froze the card via app, found the local customer service number, and visited the branch next morning with my passport. They retrieved it from the retention tray within hours. Recovering swallowed cards from bank ATMs in Bahamas is fast if you report quickly and go in-person.