I was using an ATM near my hostel in Sao Tome and Principe, and it took my card and 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 American Express card was eaten by an ATM. 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, especially when traveling to more remote destinations.
Ugh, that's just the worst. A friend of mine had her Visa card swallowed by a bank ATM. The best advice I can give is to not expect to get the card back. The banking system here is not as robust as in larger countries, and their security protocols are likely to dictate that the card be destroyed. Your first priority should be to freeze your account through your mobile banking app. In the meantime, you'll have to rely on other forms of payment or cash. It's a good lesson to always carry a backup card.
This is a traveler's worst nightmare, and in Sao Tome and Principe, it's even worse. I had my card retained by an ATM in the capital. Trying to get it back can be an exercise in futility. The most important thing is to immediately call your home bank and lock the card to prevent fraud. Your best bet for quick cash is to rely on a secondary card or to get a cash advance from a major hotel if you are staying in one. You may also be able to get a wire transfer from a friend or family member.
That's a tough situation, especially in a place with limited banking infrastructure like Sao Tome and Principe. The first thing to do is to contact your home bank immediately and report the card as stolen. I would not count on a local bank to be able to help you. The main banks, like Banco Internacional de São Tomé e Príncipe or Ecobank, have procedures for this, but getting a foreign card back is unlikely. The best advice is to have a backup card with you or cash because getting a new card sent internationally can take a very long time.