Job Discussion Forums

[ericksgm]

Has anyone had a cajero steel their debit card before? The actual bank was closed when it happened, so I couldn�t go and talk to them right away, but I am going first thing in the morning. Anything I should know? Will I have problems getting my card back? Thank you very much, Gina.

[Guy Courchesne]

First, don't worry. The card goes into a little slot and is kept until someone claims it.

Go in tomorrow and tell them. That should get it for you. Bring photo ID. You may be asked to fill out a small security report.

Also...you might want to check into why the machine took it. Could be your bank back home won't allow it to be used in Mexico, though you would've had this happen already if it isn't the first time you've used the card here.

[ericksgm]

Thank you again.

[Samantha]

In my area banks claim security regulations and normally chop the card up. Not allowed to return it (especially to foreigners who aren't customers) they say and it doesn't matter how hard you cry. You know how rules are rules in Mexico... Anyone with a foreign ATM card should have the bank back home immediately send a duplicate card to Mexico. It's happened to me twice and to several others I know. No explanation, except machine malfunction. I always keep a spare ATM card tucked away.

[Guy Courchesne]

They chopped it? How dastardly. Has happened to me twice...once in Acapulco and once here in DF...got it back both times. This was with HSBC (then Bital) and Banorte. Maybe it depends on the bank? Now that I think about it, my cards are locally issued and not foreign.

[saraswati]

The ATM ate my card once but I immediately called my bank, had it cancelled and they issued another one. You might consider doing the same.

[Samantha]

If it was my credit card I would certainly have it cancelled but cancelling a foreign ATM card could be a huge hassle with you in Mexico and your bank far away. How would you get a new pin number quickly? When my foreign bank sends me a new ATM card whether it be replacement or renewal, the same PIN works plus I know that the card has been destroyed by the bank here and not fallen into enemy hands.

[PlayadelSoul]

I had this happen. The first time my bank sent me a replacement, they did so using the US postal service. Of course, it never arrived. They sent me another via Fed X, which cost me a few more $. Save yourself the hassle and ask for express delivery, if you need a new one.

[MELEE]

[Ben Round de Bloc]

I've had ATMs eat my cards a few times since I moved here 10 years ago. Years ago banks used to return the cards, but they stopped doing that quite a while ago here. The last time it happened to me was a few months ago. I inserted my card, and as luck would have it, there was a two-second power failure, which caused the ATM to reboot . . . bye-bye card. I always keep a duplicate card just for occasions like that. I'm not sure why sweep-through machines haven't replaced the insert-the-card machines here. I've only encountered a couple of the sweep-through types here in Merida. I've noticed that during the last few years when I've made my annual sojourn back to the States, almost all ATMs there are now the type where a person sweeps his card through instead of inserting it.

[ericksgm]

I did get my card back. Again, I learn the importance of connections. The guy who�s in charge of the bank had is wife and daughter at harmon hall so the director knows him. I got my card back safe and sound only to find out that my bank in the US is stupid and has decided not to allow their cards to be used outside of the US. Lucky for me I have an amazing mom who is helping me out.

[Guy Courchesne]