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tpi's avatar
tpi
Explorer
Jul 31, 2014

When traveling avoid ATM which can snatch your card

1000 miles from home, I put my card in major bank ATM. At that point the ATM went out of order and would not take a pin code or return my card. I went inside bank and requested my card back. They refused, said policy prevented that due to possible fraud. I found the ATM was being serviced at that time. I had a long involved argument (regarding faulty ATM) in the lobby of the bank and eventually I wore out the manager who made a call and got authorization to return my card.

Moral of story: If traveling and have the option, use an ATM which can not snatch your card. Stuff happens, and this issue wasted some valuable travel time.
Seeking Advice

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  • valhalla360's avatar
    valhalla360
    Navigator
    Jul 31, 2014
    camper19709 wrote:
    The ATM's at gas stations, malls, bars and convenience stores can not snatch and keep your card. You slide it in and pull it right back out to activate the machine. The ATM runs without your card even being in the slot.


    And those are the ones most prone to skimming where they collect your card data and your pin number.
  • Iraqvet05's avatar
    Iraqvet05
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2014
    If you put your PIN in wrong too many times, those ATMs that suck the card in will keep your card...don't ask me how I know that!
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Jul 31, 2014
    toedtoes wrote:
    Someone stole my ATM card and tried to use it at bank ATM. The ATM was getting serviced and for some reason locked on the card and wouldn't give it back to the thief. Whew! That ATM saved me from losing a lot of money.
    Someone also knew your PIN? Was the card kept because of the servicing, or the report of theft? I wonder if the thief went into the bank and demanded the card back.

    It seems ridiculous that an ATM would go into maintenance during a transaction in the first place - let alone keep a perfectly legitimate card.
  • toedtoes's avatar
    toedtoes
    Explorer III
    Jul 31, 2014
    Other side of the coin:

    I'm so happy! Someone stole my ATM card and tried to use it at bank ATM. The ATM was getting serviced and for some reason locked on the card and wouldn't give it back to the thief. Whew! That ATM saved me from losing a lot of money.


    Yes, it's inconvenient when it backfires, but most people want such protections against thieves.

    My rule is to always have accounts at two separate financial institutions at least AND to carry 2 different credit cards and 2 different ATM cards. That way, if one gets blocked accidentally, I still have money until it can get resolved.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Jul 31, 2014
    Campfire Time wrote:
    A lot of policies that banks have are mandated by federal regulation because fraud is so prevalent.
    I guess that's my point.
  • camper19709's avatar
    camper19709
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2014
    The ATM's at gas stations, malls, bars and convenience stores can not snatch and keep your card. You slide it in and pull it right back out to activate the machine. The ATM runs without your card even being in the slot.
  • tpi's avatar
    tpi
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2014
    Yep I offered a ton of ID which matched the card. They simply wanted to stick strictly to policy till I became a pest. Then they looked at ID and returned the card after contacting headquarters.
  • Campfire_Time's avatar
    Campfire_Time
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2014
    2oldman wrote:
    tpi wrote:
    Stuff happens, and this issue wasted some valuable travel time.
    I'm sure what happened is a very rare event. However, sounds like an incompetent bank manager who couldn't simply verify your story. Many banks are run like government offices. "It makes no sense, it's just our policy."


    Not true. I work for a bank. A lot of policies that banks have are mandated by federal regulation because fraud is so prevalent.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Jul 31, 2014
    tpi wrote:
    Stuff happens, and this issue wasted some valuable travel time.
    I'm sure what happened is a very rare event. However, sounds like an incompetent bank manager who couldn't simply verify your story. Many banks are run like government offices. "It makes no sense, it's just our policy."

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