ATM ate my card

Boardlizard · Jul 2nd, 2009, 16:24

Just wanted to share my ATM angst with anyone who is interested....

I have been in Goa for the past two months and been using the local ATM's when needed. Yesterday morning I was down to around 600rps and went to replenish at an AXIS ATM. Insert the card/pin number and get a TRANSACTION DECLINED, UNAUTORIZED CARD USE card will not be returned. Asked a bank employee what was the problem and they said there is nothing they can do since it was my bank that declined the transaction and they are not allowed to give me back may card. Needless to say, I am in total SHOCK!!

Since there is a 12 1/2 hr time difference between India and California, I had to wait unitl 8pm for my banks call center to open up. I reach one of phone tellers and they said the banks security had been compromised when unauthorized withdrawls raised red flags in the system. So they stop everyones ATM access, send out letters and new cards!!! Of course, I'm not in Ca to get my new card. I am in India with no card and a lousy 600rps to my name!!!

Fortunately, a very good friend in the states went through all the hoops to Western Union me some funds which I used to open a bank account so that I can just transfer money into. Should've done this in the first place.

Aishah · Jul 2nd, 2009, 16:48

How stressful this must have been for you - I like the ATM's where you dip the card in and out and it doesn't swallow it. I am always fearful I won't get my card back - having once lost or had it stolen at the time my wallet was dropped several years back I'm quite fearful of having to arrange a new card to be sent to me. The last time it took 3 weeks.

You have my full sympathy, Boardlizard. I am also wondering if this is an Axis bank thing re not returning your card - I have heard of others who have got their card back in a day or two later. Last week when I was at the ATM at Woodstock School (Axis Bank one, and not a dip your card in machine) there was a big notice on it saying if your transaction is not authorised you will not get your card back. This was enough for me not to use it. I went down to Landour Bazaar and the State Bank of India ATM (dip card in and out type) and no problems.

I wonder if others have had similar problems with Axis bank like you did?

AwayFromHome · Jul 2nd, 2009, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aishah

I wonder if others have had similar problems with Axis bank like you did?

Yes, I have had my card swallowed by an Axis ATM too.

Now I only use the dip in and out ATMs.

federica · Jul 2nd, 2009, 17:00

I always thought I'm safe as long as I use the ATM during opening hours of the bank

Great that you finally got a solution, Boardlizard!

Wildhorse · Jul 2nd, 2009, 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by AwayFromHome

... the dip in and out ATMs.

Is this a special kind of ATM? What does it look like as opposed to other ATMs? I thought you always had to insert your card...

Boardlizard · Jul 2nd, 2009, 18:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aishah

How stressful this must have been for you - I like the ATM's where you dip the card in and out and it doesn't swallow it. I am always fearful I won't get my card back - having once lost or had it stolen at the time my wallet was dropped several years back I'm quite fearful of having to arrange a new card to be sent to me. The last time it took 3 weeks.

You have my full sympathy, Boardlizard. I am also wondering if this is an Axis bank thing re not returning your card - I have heard of others who have got their card back in a day or two later. Last week when I was at the ATM at Woodstock School (Axis Bank one, and not a dip your card in machine) there was a big notice on it saying if your transaction is not authorised you will not get your card back. This was enough for me not to use it. I went down to Landour Bazaar and the State Bank of India ATM (dip card in and out type) and no problems.

I wonder if others have had similar problems with Axis bank like you did?

Thanks for the sympathy Aishah,

With the instant realization you only have around $10 USD to your name can be very very stressful! But I think the lesson here is, if you are going to do a long stay in any country, you should open a bank account that you can transfer money into from your home account. You get your own local ATM card, which can be easily replaced if lost, stolen or eatin!

Boardlizard · Jul 2nd, 2009, 18:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by federica

I always thought I'm safe as long as I use the ATM during opening hours of the bank

Great that you finally got a solution, Boardlizard!

Hi federica,

Yeah, the solution is good friends that you can call on when your in trouble. They're the best investment you can make!

Boardlizard · Jul 2nd, 2009, 18:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildhorse

Is this a special kind of ATM? What does it look like as opposed to other ATMs? I thought you always had to insert your card...

I always had to do an insert for a bank ATM. But they may have the swipe/dip bank ATM's. Just like doing your store purchases in the states.

theicarus · Jul 2nd, 2009, 18:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by AwayFromHome

Yes, I have had my card swallowed by an Axis ATM too.

Now I only use the dip in and out ATMs.

Citibank ATMs in India are the dip in and out variety.

Aishah · Jul 2nd, 2009, 21:49

Wildhorse - it seems these days more and more ATM's are using the dip in and out feature - it's in the same position where you would insert your card and the machine picks it up, but the slot is sideways and you push the card into it and pull it out again. You never let go of your card, and it doesn't go inside the machine. State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, ICICI banks, are some I know which have this feature on the ATM machines. For peace of mind, and never going to lose the card inside the machine, it's a good method for reading your card.

Wildhorse · Jul 2nd, 2009, 22:03

Aishah - Thanks for clarifying. Have seen those "dip in an out" slots in other places (e.g. to enter the bank outside normal business hours and access the room with the ATM) but not on ATMs so far.

Indizen · Jul 2nd, 2009, 22:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boardlizard

Just wanted to share my ATM angst with anyone who is interested....

I have been in Goa for the past two months and been using the local ATM's when needed. Yesterday morning I was down to around 600rps and went to replenish at an AXIS ATM. Insert the card/pin number and get a TRANSACTION DECLINED, UNAUTORIZED CARD USE card will not be returned. Asked a bank employee what was the problem and they said there is nothing they can do since it was my bank that declined the transaction and they are not allowed to give me back may card. Needless to say, I am in total SHOCK!!

Since there is a 12 1/2 hr time difference between India and California, I had to wait unitl 8pm for my banks call center to open up. I reach one of phone tellers and they said the banks security had been compromised when unauthorized withdrawls raised red flags in the system. So they stop everyones ATM access, send out letters and new cards!!! Of course, I'm not in Ca to get my new card. I am in India with no card and a lousy 600rps to my name!!!

Fortunately, a very good friend in the states went through all the hoops to Western Union me some funds which I used to open a bank account so that I can just transfer money into. Should've done this in the first place.

You should have banked upon at least two different banks. Also make a note that most ATMs in India accept either VISA or MASTERCARD, but not both.

federica · Jul 3rd, 2009, 04:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildhorse

Aishah - Thanks for clarifying. Have seen those "dip in an out" slots in other places (e.g. to enter the bank outside normal business hours and access the room with the ATM) but not on ATMs so far.

I've seen them only in India, never in Europe.

roopeeman · Jul 3rd, 2009, 04:15

Take it easy. There is still the credit card, travellers checkes and not to forget the small bar of cold I am wearing around my neck. Worst case, I sell my Omega watch somewhere in Mumbai.

Aishah · Jul 3rd, 2009, 10:03

Roopeeman - if there are no more TC's, credit cards, no small bar of 'cold' (I guess you mean gold?) and no Omega watch to sell, then it is natural that OP would be in quite a state on having his ATM card swallowed. I know I would be, if I was in his position. Pleased to hear you have other resources to rely on.

It is always a good idea to have some TC's as a back up source - for places where ATM's are not available etc. Or, as we see here, if the ATM swallows your card and you can't get it back.

Jul 2nd, 2009, 16:24	#1
Boardlizard Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: USA Posts: 17	ATM ate my card Just wanted to share my ATM angst with anyone who is interested.... I have been in Goa for the past two months and been using the local ATM's when needed. Yesterday morning I was down to around 600rps and went to replenish at an AXIS ATM. Insert the card/pin number and get a TRANSACTION DECLINED, UNAUTORIZED CARD USE card will not be returned. Asked a bank employee what was the problem and they said there is nothing they can do since it was my bank that declined the transaction and they are not allowed to give me back may card. Needless to say, I am in total SHOCK!! Since there is a 12 1/2 hr time difference between India and California, I had to wait unitl 8pm for my banks call center to open up. I reach one of phone tellers and they said the banks security had been compromised when unauthorized withdrawls raised red flags in the system. So they stop everyones ATM access, send out letters and new cards!!! Of course, I'm not in Ca to get my new card. I am in India with no card and a lousy 600rps to my name!!! Fortunately, a very good friend in the states went through all the hoops to Western Union me some funds which I used to open a bank account so that I can just transfer money into. Should've done this in the first place.

Jul 2nd, 2009, 16:48	#2
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,568	How stressful this must have been for you - I like the ATM's where you dip the card in and out and it doesn't swallow it. I am always fearful I won't get my card back - having once lost or had it stolen at the time my wallet was dropped several years back I'm quite fearful of having to arrange a new card to be sent to me. The last time it took 3 weeks. You have my full sympathy, Boardlizard. I am also wondering if this is an Axis bank thing re not returning your card - I have heard of others who have got their card back in a day or two later. Last week when I was at the ATM at Woodstock School (Axis Bank one, and not a dip your card in machine) there was a big notice on it saying if your transaction is not authorised you will not get your card back. This was enough for me not to use it. I went down to Landour Bazaar and the State Bank of India ATM (dip card in and out type) and no problems. I wonder if others have had similar problems with Axis bank like you did? __________________ "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

Jul 3rd, 2009, 04:15	#14
roopeeman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Hottingen Posts: 177	Take it easy. There is still the credit card, travellers checkes and not to forget the small bar of cold I am wearing around my neck. Worst case, I sell my Omega watch somewhere in Mumbai. __________________ I believe in incarnation

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Jul 2nd, 2009, 17:00	#4
federica Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bavaria Posts: 1,757	I always thought I'm safe as long as I use the ATM during opening hours of the bank Great that you finally got a solution, Boardlizard!

Jul 2nd, 2009, 21:49	#10
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,568	Wildhorse - it seems these days more and more ATM's are using the dip in and out feature - it's in the same position where you would insert your card and the machine picks it up, but the slot is sideways and you push the card into it and pull it out again. You never let go of your card, and it doesn't go inside the machine. State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, ICICI banks, are some I know which have this feature on the ATM machines. For peace of mind, and never going to lose the card inside the machine, it's a good method for reading your card.

Jul 2nd, 2009, 22:03	#11
Wildhorse In search of greener pastures Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Here, there, and everywhere Posts: 295	Aishah - Thanks for clarifying. Have seen those "dip in an out" slots in other places (e.g. to enter the bank outside normal business hours and access the room with the ATM) but not on ATMs so far.

Jul 3rd, 2009, 10:03	#15
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,568	Roopeeman - if there are no more TC's, credit cards, no small bar of 'cold' (I guess you mean gold?) and no Omega watch to sell, then it is natural that OP would be in quite a state on having his ATM card swallowed. I know I would be, if I was in his position. Pleased to hear you have other resources to rely on. It is always a good idea to have some TC's as a back up source - for places where ATM's are not available etc. Or, as we see here, if the ATM swallows your card and you can't get it back.