My Wizard Card has been eaten

[larry40]

Well my husband's actually. After waiting 47 years to get his first card he got to use it twice before it was snatched by a Savings Bank of America ATM at the Ala Moana Shoppine Centre here in Waikiki.

Did my homework on this card - found this forum while searching - a frequent flyer I am not. The AFF bible advised to get two cards one for cash advances and one for purchases - thank goodness I did this. Had no problem using it at a Hawaiian Bank ATM at Honolulu Airport but the SBOA ATM took it no questions asked. Staff at the SBOA branch nearby couldn't have been less helpful. No we can't open the machine to retrieve your card, it has been cancelled ring your bank. Rang Wizard who cancelled the card but unfortunately it was this card that we loaded all our cash into.

Signing off from a cold and wet north shore Oahu.

 

[clifford]

Well my husband's actually. After waiting 47 years to get his first card he got to use it twice before it was snatched by a Savings Bank of America ATM at the Ala Moana Shoppine Centre here in Waikiki.

Did my homework on this card - found this forum while searching - a frequent flyer I am not. The AFF bible advised to get two cards one for cash advances and one for purchases - thank goodness I did this. Had no problem using it at a Hawaiian Bank ATM at Honolulu Airport but the SBOA ATM took it no questions asked. Staff at the SBOA branch nearby couldn't have been less helpful. No we can't open the machine to retrieve your card, it has been cancelled ring your bank. Rang Wizard who cancelled the card but unfortunately it was this card that we loaded all our cash into.

Signing off from a cold and wet north shore Oahu.

Sorry to hear about your problems. I assume you knew the windward side of the island is quite wet.

Anyway, moving along, I'm surprised you had a problem with your CC in Hawaii. Never had one myself, but once things start to go wrong in the USA, watch out.

 

[MAX_1]

Your dilema reminds me of my first trip to Dubai without cash and travellers cheques,but instead with a Maestro Card. We landed in Dubai and were taken straight to the Hotel at the Mall of Emirates. I saw a ATM and went to draw some cash. Pressed all the appropriate keys and as I always used Chq Acc in Aust , press Cheking or Chq. Got declined.
I thought , maybe I used the wrong pin number so tried again. Once again,declined.
So I waited till the centre opened and went to an ATM linked to one of the banks.After the third attempt, the card was swallowed.
Now I had a dilema, no more cards and no cash and 4 days to spare.
So what went wrong???

The CBA staff member did not inform that I should always press "Savings" in Europe/Mid East.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Did you ring Wizard before departure and advise the countries you would be visiting and for how long?

They may have blocked the card for suspicious transactions.

They sometimes call you to verify the transactions you have made - but if you only have your Australian number in their profile they may not have been able to make contact.

 

[larry40]

Yes rang Wizard before we left advising them where and when we were going. He had no problem withdrawing cash from two different machines here a couple of days ago.. This one though just swallowed the card before we could even put a pin number in so no idea.

We stood there for a while and let several people know not to use it. I had a feel for any dodgy devices - nope. One person tried and it wouldn't accept the card at all then others afterward had no problem??

Rang Wizard straight away and they cancelled the card for us after we explained what happened.

Will now wait until we get home and find out how to get our cash back that we loaded now that the card is cancelled. Cheque maybe?

Finally the sun is shining here today after 5 days of wind and rain.

Onya Jetstar for your 2 for 1 Lonely Planet sale fare of $870 return for both of us. Thankyou Batesy, took your advice and booked Row 44 - was worth the extra dollars.

 

[notzac]

Will now wait until we get home and find out how to get our cash back that we loaded now that the card is cancelled. Cheque maybe?

You should be able to do a bank transfer of the funds from the Wizard card in to another account/bank - does the online banking for Wizard not have this option?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You should be able to do a bank transfer of the funds from the Wizard card in to another account/bank - does the online banking for Wizard not have this option?

Doesn't seem to - its very basic in what you can do - transaction history is about it. You need to call the service centre maybe.

I see the OP has already called wizard - but for anyone else in future the number to call if you have problems is:

+61 3 9445 0105

 

[larry40]

Thanks for the replies guys.

We are unable to access his online account as the card has been cancelled. Will wait until we get home now to sort it out. They did ask if we wanted another card forwarded to us here but we are leaving on Thursday so wont bother. Have never had a card lost/stolen/gobbled up before. I will in future though where possible only use ATMs attached to a bank and preferably one that is open - lesson learnt. Oh the stress of it all.

Now to put it out of my head and enjoy the rest of the holiday.

 

[jsd]

Whenever I use an ATM anywhere (inc. Australia) i make sure its one where you put your card in and take it back out, saves me alot of hassles and waiting for a new card


Josh

 

[Mal]

Whenever I use an ATM anywhere (inc. Australia) i make sure its one where you put your card in and take it back out, saves me alot of hassles and waiting for a new card

They're pretty rare except in places like convenience stores/pubs etc, and often fees are charged.

One of the interesting things I've found is how some ATMS overseas reverse the order in which cash/card/receipt are returned or allow you to have another operation after withdrawing cash. Nearly walked away from an ATM in Switzerland due to that... (It gave cash first, and then prompted for another transaction.). I took the cash and started turning away before realising card was still in machine!

 

[kpc]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I will in future though where possible only use ATMs attached to a bank and preferably one that is open - lesson learnt. Oh the stress of it all.

Now to put it out of my head and enjoy the rest of the holiday.

I had mine eaten by an ATM In Kuala Lumpur last year. Had to cancel it and resort to my HSBC ATM card which charges $5 per withdrawal. Luckily, I only needed one large withdrawal to cover the rest of my trip. I now take my +1's supplementary card as well even if she is not coming with me as a backup!