24.01.2023

WHAT TO DO IF THE ATM HOLDS YOUR CARD?

What to do if we decide to withdraw money from an ATM, but the machine has kept our card.

Here are some useful tips for consumers, provided by the experts of the Consumer Protection Commission. They are related to how to act in some unforeseen and rather unpleasant situations that can cost us valuable time and financial losses.

The card can be "swallowed" by the ATM for several reasons. After you enter your pin code, you have a specific time in which to collect it from the ATM. If you slow down, he automatically retracts it. Another reason could be that your card has expired. When it is damaged or demagnetized, this can also cause the ATM to take it away, as well as when you enter the wrong pin code three times - then the card is automatically blocked and the ATM takes it away.

When the machine is malfunctioning, it can also "swallow" the card. The first thing to do if this happens is to find out if the ATM that took your card is located at a bank branch or not. If the ATM is located next to a bank branch, go into the bank and ask them to return your card.

You'll probably need to show ID and fill out a form, but you'll get your card right away. If the card is not returned to you immediately, it will be sent to the bank branch to which it was issued. If the ATM is not located next to a bank branch and is owned by a bank other than yours, you must call your bank to block the card.

Also call the bank servicing the ATM to let them know what's happening. If this is the case, you will receive your card with some delay. It will take longer for the bank servicing the ATM to send the card to your bank. If the ATM is not located next to a bank branch and is owned by the bank serving you, call them to explain how to get your card.

If the machine does not give you banknotes, the most important thing is to find out whether the transaction was reported or rejected as unsuccessful and the withdrawal attempt did not affect your account balance. Call the call center of the bank that issued your card as soon as possible. The number is usually written on the back of the card. If you are unable to contact the bank, visit the nearest branch on the first working day and file an objection.

You should know that in case of illegal withdrawal from your account, you have a chance to recover the lost amounts. For this purpose, you should again contact the bank with an objection regarding the problem that has arisen and get its opinion. By law, it is required to respond to the objection within 14 days of the date you submitted it. If the answer from the bank does not satisfy you, you can turn to the Conciliation Commission for Payment Disputes operating under the Consumer Protection Commission for assistance.

The Commission for Consumer Protection reminds us to keep in mind that withdrawing money from external ATMs in resorts poses greater risks of theft. It is possible that skimming devices are placed somewhere to copy the data from your card and steal the pin code. According to experts, these are also one of the most common plastic frauds.

"Be careful and follow all the rules for your financial security, both when transacting amounts from ATM and POS terminal devices, and when the card is lost or stolen," warns the commission.