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What happens when an ATM eats your card?

Author

Rachel Davis

Updated on February 05, 2026

The ATM will swallow it within a few seconds. Get it back? If you your bank you can probably get it back the next day after they service the ATM. A “foreign ” ATM, you need to go to your bank and request a new ATM card, as the foreign cards found in a ATM will be Deactivated, and destroyed.

Why would a cashpoint swallowed my card?

There are many reasons why a bank ATM can actually swallow your credit card or debit card. Few common reasons could be because the machine had a technical issue, or else it could not read your card information accurately or found an error in your card or simply because your card was not properly inserted.

How do you get a bank card out of an ATM?

You may have to stick it in all the way (the ATM will take the card and hold on to it), or you may just push the card until it stops and pull it back out. You can do this quickly; the machine reads your card instantly. Follow on-screen instructions if you’re not sure what to do.

What happens if the ATM doesn’t give me my money?

Call Your Card Issuer or Bank If you don’t receive your money, file a claim with your bank immediately to start the resolution process. If you used a credit card instead of a debit card linked to your checking account, check with the card issuer. Your card issuer will research the issue with the ATM operator.

What to do if the cash machine has swallowed my card?

Unfortunately, if a cash machine swallows your card you will, in almost all cases, not be able to get that card back and have to order a new one from your bank. This is because a cash machine usually destroys a card once they swallow it to prevent fraud. You can order a new one by phoning your bank or visiting your local branch.

What to do if your card is stuck in an ATM?

When a card is stuck or swallowed at an ATM, your first immediate action would be to visit your bank or their customer service toll free number almost immediately. That is because, your card can be open for a fraud and misused.

Can a bank ATM swallow your debit card?

Few of the situations when an ATM can swallow your card are – before the transaction ends, and you try to remove it but cannot. Or else, you have carried the entire transaction and even the amount has been debited but yet you cannot remove your card from the machine. In any case, you are left with a problem which needs immediate resolution.

Can you get your money back from a debit card?

If you used a debit card, you may be able to ask your bank to get your money back through the chargeback scheme. Chargeback is not enshrined in law but is part of Scheme Rules, which participating banks subscribe to.