I was using an ATM near my hostel in Curacao, & 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'm a seasoned traveler, and this is why I always carry multiple cards from different banks, like my Chase Sapphire and a backup Wise card. The first thing you do is call your bank. Don't bother with the local bank in Curacao that owns the ATM, like RBC or Banco di Caribe. They will just tell you to call your own bank. The process for a foreign card retrieval is so complicated it’s not worth it. Just cancel the card and get a new one sent to you. You'll be back on your feet in no time.
That's a scary moment, for sure. The important thing is not to panic. When a Bankomatiko ATM took my Visa card, I immediately called my bank's international support line. They were great and put a temporary block on the card while I figured things out. Don't expect to get the card back. You'll need to find a new way to get cash, like a different card or a wire transfer. Having an emergency contact number for your bank is vital for these situations.
I've been in that exact situation. My card was eaten by a MCB Bank ATM in Punda. The fastest way to get it sorted is to go straight into the branch attached to the ATM, if there is one. You'll need your passport and some form of ID. They'll have a procedure for this and can often retrieve it from the machine the same day or the next. It’s a lot quicker than trying to get a new card sent all the way to Curacao, which can take ages.
Oh man, that's a nightmare. It's happened to me with a Bankomatiko ATM in Willemstad, near my guesthouse in Otrobanda. The most important advice is to freeze your card immediately using your bank's mobile app. This prevents any fraudulent charges. I wouldn't count on getting the physical card back, as they usually have a protocol to destroy retained cards. Your bank will issue a new one, but you'll have to wait for it. Your best bet is to have a backup debit or credit card, perhaps from a different network like Mastercard or Visa.