Consultório MenosFios: Did you have the multicaixa withheld at the ATM? know what to do

There are many Angolans who have already seen their multicaixa held up at the ATM and instinctively called their bank to cancel it. However, there is not always a need to cancel the card, and there are some situations that you should be aware of in order to know how to proceed. Find out what they are in Lessfios Office of today.

There are several reasons why you might have your ATM detained at an ATM. This could be for security reasons: for example, when it exceeds the attempts to enter the PIN code ou if there is an attack against the system or if your card is notified of the possibility of theft, fraud or loss.

You can still keep the multicaixa retained if it has expired, if it is in default or even due to an ATM malfunction.

If you ever see your ATM stuck, don't panic. Know what to do in these 3 situations.

1) What to do if the ATM is in a branch of your bank?

Firstly, where it is located matters, that is, whether the ATM is within a bank facility or not. If you are in one, notice whether or not it is from your ATM bank. If so, you just need to enter the agency and report the situation.

In a simple way and on the spot, a collaborator will help you in this process and, after validating your identity, will return the card that was left inside the ATM (if the reason for which it was held allows it).

If the branch's closing time has passed, inform your bank and go to the same branch the next day to retrieve the detained ATM.

2) What if the ATM is in a branch of another bank?

If the bank branch belongs to another financial entity other than the one you are a customer of, you must inform not only the branch, but also your bank, and find out, with your bank, the reason why you had the multicaixa withheld.

Finally, you should inform yourself about the next steps to be taken. This process can take some time (even if there is no problem with the card), since your bank will have to send a letter to the bank where the card was held with a request to send that card. Only after this will the customer receive the same.

3) What to do if the ATM is outside a branch?

If the ATM is not located within a bank facility (it could be on the street, in a shopping center or at a filling station, for example), the issue becomes more complicated to resolve.

First, try to figure out if you're not being the victim of card theft. Fraud situations are more common at an ATM that is on the street and not in shopping centers or other surfaces.

Afterwards, contact your financial institution and inform them of the situation. In the case of fraud, go to the nearest police station to report what happened (always ask for proof of participation, as this is often required by banks).

You should also find out, from your bank, what to do to retrieve the card. This process is the most time-consuming, since it is necessary to contact the company that manages that specific ATM and retrieve the card from the issuing banking institution.

What to do afterwards?

The next steps always vary depending on the reason why you had the ATM card held.

Sometimes, the issuing financial entity can easily recover the card, other times they can compensate the customer more for canceling and requesting a new one. In some situations, the time you will be without your card will be shorter if you proceed in this way.

On the one hand, whenever you cancel a card and request a new one, you may have to pay commissions and an annual fee for the new card to the issuing financial institution. On the other hand, it is not always an option for consumers to be indefinitely without their card.

How to avoid getting your ATM card held?

Just pay attention to some aspects. Please read these advices carefully.

Firstly, if you have a credit card, you should not default, as your card could be blocked and become unusable. If you are being a victim of fraud, the ideal is to cancel it.

Also, be alert when doing your transactions at the ATM. You should pay attention to the messages displayed on the screen (enter the PIN and remove the card and money when requested) to avoid having the ATM detained.

It is also important to analyze the ATM itself. If you notice any type of vandalism at the ATM and/or at the card reader (where you insert the card), do not carry out any type of transaction – as this could be fraud – and notify the competent authorities.

As you go about your operations, pay special attention to entering your code and withdrawing money. Be careful and do not accept help from third parties if your ATM card is held back.

In short, avoid having your multibox held back due to situations that you can easily overcome. If the case is more difficult to identify and your ATM card is held back at the ATM, then immediately notify the issuing financial entity and the authorities.

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This was today's MenosFios Office, where we show you several options if your ATM is held up at the ATM. Now, we ask our readers to comment on them and to contribute with additional information they deem necessary on this same topic.

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