My card was taken by an ATM near my hotel in Peru. Has this happened to anyone else? Solution?
Yes this happened to me last year in Cusco at a BCP ATM near Plaza de Armas. I used my Revolut card and the machine just froze after entering the PIN. After about 30 seconds it shut down and never gave the card back. I went inside the bank with my passport and they told me the ATM would be opened at 5 pm that day. I came back and they returned the card. If it’s outside a bank branch go in as soon as possible. If it's inside a pharmacy or store you may have to wait longer or report it to your bank and block the card.
Lost my SBI travel card in a Scotiabank ATM in Lima. I used it in the machine outside the bank at night and it froze halfway through the transaction. I waited and it never came out. I went to the bank next morning with my passport and they confirmed they had the card. They made me sign a form and returned it in five minutes. If the ATM is inside or attached to a real bank branch you have better chances. If not just block the card and ask your bank to issue a new one. Always keep two cards when you travel in Peru just in case.
This happened to me in Arequipa at a GlobalNet ATM outside a supermarket and then as luck would have it also days later at a Multired / Banco de la nacion ATM. I had used the same GlobalNet machine earlier in the week with my Monzo card. This time it just made a weird clicking sound and then the screen restarted. I went inside the store and the staff were kind enough to call their maintenance guy. He came a few hours later and got the card out. So sometimes it helps to ask right away. Do not leave the spot too quickly. If no help is available then definitely report it and cancel the card as soon as you can.
Same thing happened to me at an Interbank ATM in Miraflores. The card just got swallowed with no error message. I had to block it through my app immediately since it was after hours. The next morning I went to the bank but they said they send all captured cards back to the issuing bank after a few days. So I had to order a replacement card to my hostel through DHL. Took five days. If your card is still active block it right away and contact your home bank. Keep a backup card when travelling in Peru.