Have you inserted a credit card or a debit card into an ATM machine, only for the ATM to eat it? If this has happened to you, you have probably blamed the ATM machine. However, it is not the ATM machine’s fault. Sometimes, it is our fault. To understand what we are talking about, here are some of the reasons why an ATM eats credit cards and debit cards:
You Inserted the Bank Card Wrong
When you insert the bank card in the card slot wrong, the ATM will be unable to read your card and process your transaction. It will swallow your bank card instead of returning it back to you.
You Have Insufficient Balance in Your Bank Account
At times, people may use their bank card without knowing the balance they have in their bank account. If they have insufficient balance or zero balance, the ATM machine may hold their bank card.
You Are Using a Faulty Bank Card
Your name is written on the magnetic strip, which you can find on the back of your bank card. The magnetic strip carries sensitive details that only an ATM machine knows how to read. In the event the magnetic strip becomes damaged or fades away, the ATM machine will be unable to read your bank card and eat it as a result.
You Are Using an Expired Card
Every bank card has an expiry date. If your bank card has crossed its expiry date, you should not use it to make a transaction. If you do use it, the ATM machine will eat it. Additionally, you should not use a blocked card or a reported card. The ATM machine will not return it to you if it senses that the bank card you are using to process a transaction is either blocked or reported.
FAQs
The magnetic strip carries sensitive details that only an ATM machine knows how to read. In the event the magnetic strip becomes damaged or fades away, the ATM machine will be unable to read your bank card and eat it as a result.
Why did the ATM eat my credit card? ›
An ATM can retain your card for various reasons. Some of the most common reasons are: An out of order or malfunctioning ATM due to technical issues. If you lost your card, blocked it, later recovered it and tried to use it without unblocking it, your card may be swallowed by the ATM.
Why did the ATM eat my debit card? ›
There are a few possible reasons why the ATM ate your debit card: You entered the wrong PIN too many times, and the machine's security protocols kicked in. The chip in your card is damaged, and again, the machine's security took over. You've had a string of suspicious transactions on your account.
What to do if ATM eats your money? ›
The Takeaway
If an ATM accepts your cash or check without depositing your funds or registers an incorrect amount, don't worry! Take a breath, gather evidence, and report it to your bank immediately. Doing so will improve your chances of a quicker resolution and getting the money back where it belongs — in your account.
How did someone use my card at an ATM? ›
Skimming happens when there is a false device installed illegally onto an ATM to steal card data by the users of the ATM machine. The PIN number for the card can also be stolen with the use of a key-logging device placed over the key pad or installing an unauthorized camera to spy on the PIN being typed in.
How did my ATM card get hacked? ›
Skimming. Identity thieves can retrieve account data from your card's magnetic strip using a device called a skimmer, which they can stash in ATMs and store card readers. They can then use that data to produce counterfeit cards. EMV chip cards, which are replacing magnetic strip cards, can reduce this risk.
What does it mean when your card is captured? ›
A credit card capture is a legally binding step that takes place after a payment authorization that officially moves a customer's funds into the designated merchant account. In other words, it's the moment when a pending payment becomes a completed payment.
Do ATMs take money back if not taken? ›
It turns out that most ATMs will swallow any unclaimed money within a few minutes, and the discrepancy will show up when the machine is balanced at the end of the day. If no one came along immediately behind you, you stand a good chance of getting your money back.
Why won't the ATM take my card? ›
There are a number of issues that could result in a debit card decline. For starters, you could be mistaken about your balance, or you may have reached your daily limit for withdrawals. The bank may feel the transaction is suspicious, based on your purchase history. Technical issues may also be to blame.
Can I find the person who stole and withdraw money from my ATM card? ›
However, if you report the unauthorized use of your card to the bank, they may be able to investigate and determine who made the transaction. Plus, if you have any other information about the unauthorized use (such as the location or time of the transaction), this may also help the bank investigate.
One of the most common ATM errors is when the card reader fails to recognize, accept, or eject a customer's card. This can be caused by a dirty or damaged card, a faulty or jammed card reader, or a network or software glitch.
Why is the ATM rejecting my money? ›
If a banknote is damaged, wrinkled or dirty, an ATM may reject it and return it to you. In this case, you could try smoothing out the wrinkled banknote and reenter it into the ATM.
How often do ATMs make mistakes? ›
The machines are highly robust. Most of the mistakes are attributed to human error. However, depending on which provider you choose, the error rate (though not published) is assumed to be somewhere between 1-in-100,000 to 1-in-250,000 dispenses. Mostly attributed to notes insertion into the cassette.
How do you tell if your card has been skimmed? ›
Here are signs that it might be skimmer:
- Unusual damage to the card reader.
- Glue or adhesive marks on or around the card reader.
- Unusual brochure holders or plastic panels added above/near the card reader or PIN pad that could contain a camera.
- Unusual feeling keyboard or a keyboard that sits higher than usual.
Bank investigators will usually start with the transaction data and look for likely indicators of fraud. Time stamps, location data, IP addresses, and other elements can be used to prove whether or not the cardholder was involved in the transaction.
What is ATM card theft? ›
What is debit card fraud? Debit card fraud is when somebody steals your debit card details to make unauthorized payments or withdrawals from your bank account. There are several ways a fraudster might do this, but whatever approach they take, it's illegal.
How do you get money back that is stuck in an ATM? ›
First, lodge a complaint at your bank branch. Note all the details about the ATM. Record the exact time, date, and location, take a screenshot of the transaction message, and be sure to keep the receipt of the debited amount. Generate digital records of your bank statement too.
How do banks investigate ATM disputes? ›
Bank investigators will usually start with the transaction data and look for likely indicators of fraud. Time stamps, location data, IP addresses, and other elements can be used to prove whether or not the cardholder was involved in the transaction.
