If the ATM swallows your card
 

Last Friday afternoon a Sabadell bank ATM kept my card, assumed it was safe and only did a temporary block as I was expecting to get it back from the bank Monday - BUT, it was (somehow) fraudulently used lost 1700€ (should get it back via a claim) bottom line - if an ATM keeps your card get it totally and permanently blocked immediately. This you can do by contacting the bank or through their app/online.

Assume this risk is across all bank's ATMs...

Re: If the ATM swallows your card
 

One of the scams is they somehow adapt the card reader part so that it retains your card. You put in your card followed by your pin but not only have they adapted the reader to retain your card but have secreted a camera to get your pin. There are various adaptations that can be done seemingly. Some years ago I was caught out at a supermarket checkout by a person distracting me just at the point I was to withdraw my card from the card reader. In the confusion I took my shopping not realising I hadn't removed my card. They were a team one causing distraction at just the right time , one watching to see the pin you put in and one steals card while distracted. I realised around 10 mins after as I had gone to get petrol and when I went to pay no card.i realised then immediately why the confusion in the supermarket. I contacted my bank immediately but 600 euros had already been withdrawn as that was what my card daily limit was set at. I reported it to bank and police but never got anything back. Since then I reset as required my card daily limit using online banking, I set it around 200 euros as that way it minimises possible loss. Also I rarely use my physical card but use my phone to pay and withdraw money from ATM , so long as your phone as NFC capability you can link it to a debit card . You are more likely even in confusion to notice the phone in your hand going missing than a card. An expensive lesson to learn but one has to be as careful as possible I'm afraid with these scammers as they are everywhere sadly.

Re: If the ATM swallows your card
 

Interesting post thanks. Yes, I think setting lower levels is a good idea (but you need to keep track) and yes maybe the phone is safer than a card these days. Lots to mull over.

On reflection I am surprised Sabadell did not insist the card was blocked when I contacted them immediately after losing it in the ATM.

They have said I can open a claim and refund - time will tell!

Re: If the ATM swallows your card
 

Before I use any ATM, I first test card slot by trying to pull it off. Never use ATM in busy area.
Works for me so far.

Re: If the ATM swallows your card
 

Very easy these days to adjust card limits to suit. I admit until that happened to me i wasnt aware what limit was and that i could adjust it. in my case police got photo evidence of the thieves getting the money from atm. I identified two from the fracas in the supermarket . They arranged formal statements to be taken at local court office for which they provided an interpreter. They were all very helpful but in the end it came to nothing. Bank were not really interested they just said it was my fault as someone had seen me enter pin! Difficult in a busy shop to completely prevent that but lesson learned. using the phone helps as if pin is required the phone can help shield entering the pin.

Re: If the ATM swallows your card
 

I had that when I lived in Spain, had just taken a max out on my debit card when I was distracted, card pinched, BUT to €300 left in the money slot, cancelled the card withing minutes so nothing was taken, the fact that I withdrew the max amount meant they couldn't get money from an ATM, and it was before contactless shopping, so that would have failed as well. New card within a week.

Re: If the ATM swallows your card
 

The ATM I use (infrequently) are actually contactless which stops the modification of the card reader slot. I think they’re a great idea.

Re: If the ATM swallows your card
 

yes unfortunately the time i was caught out it took enough time for them to get to atm and withdraw the money before i noticed the card had been stolen.

Re: If the ATM swallows your card
 

Having had fraudulent activity on both my Spanish debit and credit cards (Caixa and got it all back - eventually) I now keep both temporarily blocked and only unblock them when I actually need to. For day to day spending I use my Wise card but only loaded with a couple of hundred Euros.

I rarely need much cash but if I do I use an ATM in a quiet place where there is zero chance of being targeted!

Re: If the ATM swallows your card
 

I will only ever use an ATM that is inside a bank branch.

Re: If the ATM swallows your card
 

Riiight. That must make it super safe. Locktite in fact.

Re: If the ATM swallows your card
 

Don't know about other banks but with Caixa for after hours they usually have a publicly accessible foyer with the ATM, or ATM's, inside identical to those outside therefore no more secure from tampering.

That said their ATM's would appear to be a unique design and TBH I can't see how anyone could attach a skimming device to one without it being completely and instantly obvious.

Further to my comments about Wise, usefully they offer a digital card which is basically a throw away which you can delete after a transaction meaning it can never be used for fraud or cloned because the card details no longer exist. You can have up to 3 at any time on your account and can instantly replace them up to 3 times each day.

https://wise.com/help/articles/1AqrR...e-digital-card

Re: If the ATM swallows your card
 

Lots of useful and interesting points are being raised here - thanks all.

It's worth spending time reviewing our 'security' strategy!

Re: If the ATM swallows your card
 

[QUOTE=Notdunroamin;13299441
Further to my comments about Wise, usefully they offer a digital card which is basically a throw away which you can delete after a transaction meaning it can never be used for fraud or cloned because the card details no longer exist. You can have up to 3 at any time on your account and can instantly replace them up to 3 times each day.
/QUOTE]
Revolut also have the digital card on their app. I use Revolut these days to pay while out and about again using my phone. The Revolut app allows to use either an anonymous one time card basically which is mainly for online use , the details it provides are different to your card details but somehow for that and only that one payment link to your account. There is also an option to use your online card which appears on the screen to scan to pay that is no different really to a physical card. They do if you want one send a physical card but I didn't bother with that I'm quite happy with the online options on the app..
Google pay is another way of using a card online you add your card details and it creates an online digital card to pay via your phone, it saves having to carry and put your card into the payment slot. Some Spanish bank cards including my cajamar card are not allowed to use the Google wallet but many are.
Of course it doesn't have to be your phone as many good smart watches can replace the phone and be used to pay by card that way it's actually attached to your wrist.
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Re: If the ATM swallows your card
 

Another useful option to pay direct from your bank here in Spain is Bizum. You just register for it through your bank. Most businesses small and large are registered on it. When yo come to pay you just need to know if they are on Bizum if they are their registered phone number . You then pay them to that phone number that's it very simple no card or bank details involved it can also be used for online purchases.

https://bizum.com/es/en/