I was using an ATM near my hostel in Puerto Rico, & 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 had my Revolut Mastercard taken by an Oriental Bank ATM in Ponce late at night. When I went to the branch the next day, they told me the card had already been destroyed. I had no choice but to cancel and switch to my Wise backup. Puerto Rico is mostly card-friendly, but small cafés and taxis still prefer cash. Always withdraw at ATMs attached to bank branches during business hours, and bring at least two cards as backup.
My Monzo Visa was eaten by a Banco Popular ATM in San Juan. I went into the branch the next morning, showed my passport, and they returned it within half an hour. The staff were professional and said it happens often with foreign cards. A friend also had success at FirstBank. If you use ATMs connected to branches, recovery in Puerto Rico is usually straightforward.
In Puerto Rico, the main ATMs are run by Banco Popular, FirstBank, and Oriental Bank. If your card is taken, go into the branch with your passport or ID. Banco Popular usually allows retrieval within 24-48 hours, but cards not collected quickly may be destroyed. Always call the hotline listed on the ATM immediately. Until you know whether it can be returned, freeze or block your card through your app.
Yes, it happened to me at a Banco Popular ATM in Old San Juan, near Plaza Colón. The machine froze and swallowed my Visa. The bank told me it wouldn’t be returned. Cancel it right away and use your backup. Stick to ATMs from Banco Popular, FirstBank, or Oriental Bank inside malls like Plaza Las Américas. Puerto Rico is very card-friendly - you’ll only need cash for small kiosks, publicos, and some beach vendors.