What to do when your card gets stuck in an ATM machine

It wasn’t that long ago that I had the unfortunate experience of having my bank card stuck in an ATM machine, and had to go through the rigours of retrieving it. This post is to help people who have gone through a similar fate, and are unsure about what happened or what to do. First, it is worth noting that while in the past, a member of bank staff could have helped open the machine and retrieve the card, this is no longer the case. All cards swallowed by ATM machines of other banks (even for no fault of yours) now have to be retained and destroyed, for reasons discussed later in the post. So for example, if you bank with GTBank and your ATM card was swallowed by a FirstBank or Diamondbank ATM,  it is usually a waste of time waiting at the bank to retrieve the card. If however your experience has been different, please let me know in the comment section.

WHY DO ATM MACHINES SWALLOW CARDS?

In Nigeria, ATM cards tend to get retained by machines for one or a combination of technical reasons: power fluctuation, network connection interruption, system reboot etc. So if ATM machine temporarily loses power after you have correctly entered your PIN, it is then unable to make a link between the information you have entered and the central system, and this causes an error which can cause the card to get stuck.


AliExpress by Alibaba.com

 

There’s also a possibility of your card being stuck as a result of unfamiliar withdrawal patterns detected, which might imply fraud. Card usage patterns such as entering the wrong PIN too many times or withdrawing large sums in a relatively short space of time might all be classed as ‘unusual activity’ which causes the card issuer to place a marker on the card. For example, someone withdraws an average of ₦5,000 each week and suddenly purchases goods worth ₦100,000 online and on the same day tries to withdraw ₦100,000. Depending on the card issuer or the bank involved, this might be enough to place a marker on the card. In some countries, law enforcement agencies are able to liaise with financial institutions to place markers on cards of suspected criminals.
When a marker is placed on an  card, the card will be retrieved by any ATM it is used at. These are preventative measures on the part of banks with the aim of getting the card owner to visit the branch in person and verify that recent transactions linked to the card are all authorised and legitimate.

 

[socialpoll id=”2302313″]

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR CARD IS STUCK

First and foremost, immediately inform your bank. You will need to phone your bank, with the details of the ATM where the card got stuck. You will then need to visit your bank in person, with a form of identification (A national ID card or International passport will be sufficient) to prove that the card was not being misused by a 3rd party, and also to get a new card issued. For security reasons, most Nigerian banks will usually treat stuck cards as a “3rd party compromise” and destroy the cards to prevent misuse.

[Related: How to withdraw from a Diamondbank ATM without your card]

Be aware that most banks will charge you a card issuance fee of about ₦1,000 to retrieve the card and it will take about 5 working days to receive your new card which will be sent to the branch where the complaint was raised.

I personally think that especially in cases where a technical malfunction has caused the error, the customer should not be charged.

283 Comments

  1. TerryShela May 16, 2025
  2. CedricGar May 16, 2025
  3. Michaelves May 18, 2025
  4. RaymondPions May 18, 2025
  5. WilliamLak May 19, 2025
  6. CharlesKip May 19, 2025
  7. LiusVet May 22, 2025
  8. DanielSic May 23, 2025
  9. LiusVet May 23, 2025
  10. CurtisDug May 29, 2025
  11. JosephApeve June 2, 2025
  12. CurtisBen June 4, 2025
  13. z1avl June 4, 2025
  14. JamesWek June 4, 2025
  15. GarrettKnozy June 4, 2025
  16. Patrickneimb June 5, 2025
  17. RebbeDug June 9, 2025
  18. crctransport June 9, 2025
  19. JesusBooft June 10, 2025
  20. RebbeDug June 10, 2025
  21. Blakecyday June 12, 2025
  22. MiguelWek June 12, 2025
  23. MillardZidly June 12, 2025
  24. 334cw June 13, 2025
  25. Heskgic June 13, 2025
  26. WilliamSnito June 13, 2025
  27. syn6n June 14, 2025
  28. Heskgic June 14, 2025
  29. Stephencrime June 15, 2025
  30. zaymy-onlayn June 16, 2025
  31. Stephencrime June 16, 2025
  32. nldns June 16, 2025
  33. Davidtuh June 16, 2025
  34. 10lke June 18, 2025
  35. Joshuaclamy June 20, 2025
  36. Joshuaclamy June 20, 2025
  37. Jaredmax June 20, 2025
  38. EverettLer June 20, 2025
  39. HomerSub June 20, 2025
  40. Jaredmax June 21, 2025
  41. WayneMow June 21, 2025
  42. HomerSub June 21, 2025
  43. EverettLer June 21, 2025
  44. WayneMow June 21, 2025
  45. Davidasype June 21, 2025
  46. n6wkw June 21, 2025
  47. Jerrygic June 22, 2025
  48. Jerrygic June 22, 2025
  49. DanielPeM June 22, 2025
  50. Grantgax June 22, 2025
  51. RaymondNef June 22, 2025
  52. WayneMow June 22, 2025
  53. 2u11z June 23, 2025
  54. StevenHoila June 25, 2025
  55. narkologiya June 25, 2025
  56. JessieWoste June 25, 2025
  57. epzx6 June 25, 2025
  58. LeroyPancy June 26, 2025
  59. Anthonytaunk June 26, 2025
  60. JesusDiz June 26, 2025
  61. Russellknorm June 27, 2025
  62. moxnn June 27, 2025
  63. w1e6f June 28, 2025
  64. Francisblush June 29, 2025
  65. RogelioInfig June 29, 2025
  66. imvqr June 30, 2025
  67. Kruzgic July 1, 2025
  68. 8o5xb July 2, 2025
  69. AnthonyThist July 2, 2025
  70. Kruzgic July 2, 2025
  71. RodneyPiera July 3, 2025
  72. Michaelfep July 3, 2025
  73. Hunterflued July 3, 2025
  74. GeorgeAdoro July 3, 2025
  75. Jameslok July 3, 2025
  76. ClintHok July 3, 2025
  77. VictorStupt July 3, 2025
  78. arsx0 July 3, 2025
  79. GregorydiUth July 3, 2025
  80. JoshuaViaps July 4, 2025
  81. RodneyFaupt July 4, 2025
  82. lrtf2 July 5, 2025
  83. Shawnker July 5, 2025
  84. kazan_makulatura July 5, 2025
  85. basolinovoip-494 July 5, 2025
  86. MartinMax July 5, 2025
  87. VincentMuh July 6, 2025
  88. Thomasscelm July 6, 2025
  89. RonaldDut July 6, 2025
  90. Richardlum July 6, 2025
  91. toplistcasinos-263 July 7, 2025
  92. StanleyOblib July 8, 2025
  93. Richardwably July 8, 2025
  94. Georgebah July 8, 2025
  95. CharlesFriff July 8, 2025
  96. Geraldjam July 9, 2025
  97. Stephenmoica July 9, 2025
  98. Timothyner July 9, 2025
  99. MiguelGow July 9, 2025
  100. Williammep July 9, 2025
  101. Rubenmap July 9, 2025
  102. StevenMarve July 9, 2025
  103. JaysonVom July 9, 2025
  104. narkologiya-106 July 9, 2025
  105. cloth-remover-97 July 9, 2025
  106. WilliamMitle July 10, 2025
  107. xfyih July 10, 2025
  108. motoreuro-107 July 10, 2025
  109. casinopiastrix-494 July 10, 2025
  110. sbpcasino-618 July 10, 2025
  111. droptopsite3-992 July 10, 2025
  112. hirurgija-50 July 10, 2025
  113. TerryFrari July 10, 2025
  114. Ramonoxice July 10, 2025
  115. RodneyViora July 10, 2025
  116. RobertEnult July 10, 2025
  117. CharlespeW July 11, 2025
  118. Stevenphano July 11, 2025
  119. Richardgen July 11, 2025
  120. Georgeraw July 11, 2025
  121. MichaelSause July 11, 2025
  122. Patricksaw July 11, 2025
  123. Peterprive July 11, 2025
  124. MichaelFromi July 11, 2025
  125. Robertmikic July 11, 2025
  126. Jerryger July 11, 2025
  127. Davidvat July 11, 2025
  128. JacobTen July 11, 2025
  129. Austincom July 11, 2025
  130. Williamunliz July 11, 2025
  131. EdwardGeame July 11, 2025
  132. JoshuaZix July 11, 2025
  133. AlfredPab July 11, 2025
  134. Matthewnaink July 11, 2025
  135. Josephflich July 11, 2025
  136. Kennethfrich July 11, 2025
  137. Damonpauck July 11, 2025
  138. Edwardweamb July 11, 2025
  139. CharlesDaphy July 11, 2025
  140. Leonardrob July 11, 2025
  141. Stephenkes July 11, 2025
  142. ul001 July 12, 2025
  143. JasonSeema July 12, 2025
  144. MichaelFum July 12, 2025
  145. Jessewab July 12, 2025
  146. Myronric July 12, 2025
  147. RubenAlles July 12, 2025
  148. Michaelnum July 12, 2025
  149. AlfredKag July 12, 2025
  150. GarrettNon July 12, 2025
  151. Santoseduck July 12, 2025
  152. JoshuaLap July 12, 2025
  153. Josephfaw July 12, 2025
  154. Robertbes July 12, 2025
  155. Robertemubs July 12, 2025
  156. Jeremyhoogs July 12, 2025
  157. StephenDiz July 12, 2025
  158. Aaronhak July 12, 2025
  159. Kennyrom July 12, 2025
  160. Haydenineld July 12, 2025
  161. DavidDrear July 12, 2025
  162. Jamesjom July 12, 2025
  163. Konchgic July 12, 2025
  164. Scottinall July 12, 2025
  165. Stefantaish July 12, 2025
  166. Rogerzoogy July 12, 2025
  167. BrettVatry July 12, 2025
  168. TylerPaync July 12, 2025
  169. IsaacRon July 13, 2025
  170. MartinVicle July 13, 2025
  171. DavidCoody July 13, 2025
  172. BobbyJed July 13, 2025
  173. Michaelbeels July 13, 2025
  174. Konchgic July 13, 2025
  175. Charlesboobe July 13, 2025
  176. spiral-mirena-677 July 13, 2025
  177. i6vhf July 13, 2025
  178. Jamesjar July 13, 2025
  179. Jamesfar July 13, 2025
  180. Aaronpriow July 13, 2025
  181. Josephvek July 13, 2025
  182. Tommyseeme July 13, 2025
  183. retetesimple-712 July 13, 2025
  184. all-downloaders July 13, 2025
  185. lazernaya-rezka-239 July 13, 2025
  186. hitech-print-798 July 13, 2025
  187. printexpressonline-741 July 14, 2025
  188. printrzn-481 July 14, 2025
  189. rek-print-58 July 14, 2025
  190. creatorro-36 July 14, 2025
  191. otchet-806 July 14, 2025
  192. referat-713 July 14, 2025
  193. Connieharty July 15, 2025
  194. diplom-zakaz-553 July 15, 2025
  195. diplomikon-914 July 15, 2025
  196. w5bi3 July 15, 2025
  197. Charliewhils July 15, 2025
  198. JacobFef July 15, 2025
  199. DonaldlAf July 15, 2025
  200. ifns150-149 July 15, 2025
  201. CraigLot July 15, 2025
  202. JoshuanuS July 15, 2025
  203. Josephbox July 16, 2025
  204. Cletusvem July 16, 2025
  205. BernardSix July 17, 2025
  206. sweet_bonanza-256 July 17, 2025
  207. Connieharty July 17, 2025
  208. fp372 July 17, 2025
  209. casino-790 July 17, 2025
  210. jb5-900 July 17, 2025
  211. duneshop-31 July 18, 2025
  212. 8xbet July 18, 2025
  213. 8xbet July 18, 2025
  214. 188bet-429 July 18, 2025
  215. montenegro-rafting-510 July 18, 2025
  216. grandpashabet-782 July 18, 2025
  217. gidrokva-83 July 18, 2025
  218. diplomikon-r July 18, 2025
  219. gidrokva-100 July 18, 2025

Leave a Reply