ATM

May 12, 2009 12:58 PM

Urgent: I'm in Brazil and my debit card is being rejected at all ATMs (HSBC etc). I don't even get to the stage of entering my pin number, it tells me that my card is invalid automatically after inserting it. I've called my bank and been told that I should be able to lift the block online by registering that I'll be abroad, which i've done to no avail. Help!
posted by ashaw to work & money (16 answers total)

Oh, it's a UK Barclays Visa debit card
posted by ashaw at 12:59 PM on May 12, 2009

are you sure your type of card works in the atms in Brazil? it sounds like a hardware issue more than a bank/registry issue. Best of luck
posted by Think_Long at 1:00 PM on May 12, 2009

Is it being rejected anywhere else? Take it to any shop that has a card reader and have them swipe it, if they get nothing off it then the mag strip is dead.

Usually a card will only get rejected right from entry if the mag strip has a problem not the account.
posted by pixlboi at 1:02 PM on May 12, 2009

Do the Barclays ATMs have branches attached? And does your hotel have an English-speaking concierge type person who could help connect you with someone high up at Barclays Brazil which could help you withdraw some money over the counter?
posted by mdonley at 1:35 PM on May 12, 2009

Sounds like a hardware issue to me too. Normally if you put a valid, readable card in the slot, it will let you put your pin in and do some basic functionality before it even connects to your bank to make a withdrawal. So it sounds like there's something physically wrong with the card. Any chance it was damaged or demagnetized recently?
posted by JuiceBoxHero at 1:45 PM on May 12, 2009

If you're not even able to enter your PIN, it has nothing to do with a block on your card. Here are a few other things to try/consider:
-make sure the ATM you're using works for your type of card (does it have Visa/Mastercard/or whatever symbol is on the back of your card?)
-make sure the ATM you're using is for withdrawals (saques) --some are just for paying bills or making deposits. Usually at HSBC all of the ATMs can do everything but other banks have designated ones.
-I have found HSBC ATMs here in Brazil to be finicky. If one machine doesn't accept your card, try the one next to it. Sometimes I have to try three different machines to get one to work.
-I usually have the most luck with Banco 24 Horas machines. Not sure where in the country you are but you may want to try one.

Boa sorte!
posted by wallaby at 2:06 PM on May 12, 2009

Agreed that it might be something to do with the network the ATM is on - that's typically the only reason for a reject prior to PIN entry - either that, or damage to the mag stripe. Star, PLUS, MasterCard, etc - make sure you have at least one matching symbol.
posted by ersatzkat at 2:26 PM on May 12, 2009

Where in Brazil are you? If you are in Sao Paulo, drop me a memail, I might be able to help you.
posted by msali at 2:35 PM on May 12, 2009

I remember when I was in Argentina 10 years ago that all of the ATMs were all Star system (or Plus, I forget, but it was a citywide (BA, at least) thing).
posted by rhizome at 3:37 PM on May 12, 2009

You're looking for an ATM logo from Cirrus or Plus. If neither is present you're at the wrong machine.
posted by genghis at 7:08 PM on May 12, 2009

I would try talking to someone at the banks inside, who knows about the machines. I was unable to find a single ATM (even though my card, and the ATMs I was trying were both Plus) that worked for me in my entire travels in Bolivia and Paraguay. My bank was NO help over the phone and kept saying it should work. Finally in Peru I talked to someone and he said even though the machines had the same symbols as my card like PLUS, that the ATM networks were "not connected to the US" (? didn't explain much to me as far as understanding) but he took me to a specific machine that was, apparently.

I don't think my card was rejected before putting in the number though, but it might be worth asking the banks themselves where you might find an ATM that works.
posted by nzydarkxj at 7:20 PM on May 12, 2009

I've heard of someone who got forwarded cash from Discover Card when in this situation. (Perhaps other credit cards would do this as well.)
posted by salvia at 9:14 PM on May 12, 2009

Have you confirmed that Barclays has actually lifted your block? Barclays has some pretty crazy stringent anti-fraud and security hurdles, particularly if you're coming in from a country you've never visited before (or is a country they consider to be a particularly high fraud risk). I had problems with my Barclays ATM card my first time in Amsterdam or Bucharest, for example, that I haven't had in Paris. If you do things online, sometimes Barclays takes a while to implement this sort of security-related change... if you call back, it might light a fire under them (and confirm that this is your actual intent).

If they're HSBC cash machines, I wouldn't think you're having network problems. Please follow up on this - I'm curious to know what happened in the end!
posted by Grrlscout at 2:29 AM on May 13, 2009

When I was there a few years ago, most ATMs would not take my card, even though they were on the right network. It turned out that only certain machines were international-friendly, and I had to go to a particular bank to take money out. The folks at my hotel directed me to the right bank and ATMs. I don't know if it's still true, but you might want to ask at your hotel, tourist office, or at a local bank.

Good luck!
posted by Philbo at 7:50 AM on May 13, 2009

I second the Bank idea. I was in Greece many years ago when my card stopped working. Apparently the magnet band had been erased somehow. Getting money in the bank was no problem, as long as I brought my passport.
posted by KimG at 10:50 AM on May 13, 2009

Thanks for the advise, I think I'll try to speak to someone at the bank. Barclays insists no part of my account is blocked and that it might be the ATMs at foz de iguassu. It's bizzare because now at the hsbc it takes my pin, but says the transaction is not authrised by the issuer.
posted by ashaw at 2:35 PM on May 13, 2009