ATM card woes in Dublin
May 30th, 2016, 06:19 AM
#1
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ATM card woes in Dublin
So we just arrived in Dublin and are finding that our ATM card with unembossed (is that even a word?) numbers isn't accepted by the ATM machines. DH has stopped in at several banks to talk to real people and is hitting a brick wall. We have a few Euros with us from a previous trip but these will run out quickly. We are staying at The Spencer Hotel and they won't do a cash advance. And it's Memorial Day so our credit union isn't answering the phone!
Any brilliant ideas out there?
Any brilliant ideas out there?
May 30th, 2016, 06:51 AM
#7
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I don't understand what unembossed numbers has to do with it. My Dutch bank cards don't have embossed numbers and work in ATMs, including in Ireland. The ATM reads your magnetic strip or chip if you have one, not the numbers.
Have you tried cleaning the card so the strip is clean?
Have Irish ATMs gone over to only reading a chip already?
Have you tried cleaning the card so the strip is clean?
Have Irish ATMs gone over to only reading a chip already?
May 30th, 2016, 06:53 AM
#8
I'd love to hear a follow-up to this. What does unembossed numbers have to do with ATM card validity? The machines read the STRIP on the card, not the numbers, at least I THINK they do so please keep us informed. But perhaps you mean the machine won't even allow the card to be inserted?
May 30th, 2016, 06:55 AM
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It's frustrating because the ATM machines go through the whole process and at the end when it should spit out euros, it says we can not complete this transaction - we have tried many ATMs and different amounts as well.
May 30th, 2016, 06:58 AM
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The embossedness has nothing to do with your woes. Machine either reads the mag strip or the chip pad. I have used my "unembossed" ATM cards from two different banks at two different banks in Ireland during past 4 days, and I got money fine.
You have to find out the reason for non functionality: forgot to inform you bank about using them overseas, pin translation issue (if you have been using letters equivalent of numbers at home, but need to use numbers), etc.
However, practically everything I dealt with in Ireland accepted credit cards. Unless you are dealing specifically with vendors that take cash only, usually a small business, try using your cc until you get to talk to your ATM card issuer.
You have to find out the reason for non functionality: forgot to inform you bank about using them overseas, pin translation issue (if you have been using letters equivalent of numbers at home, but need to use numbers), etc.
However, practically everything I dealt with in Ireland accepted credit cards. Unless you are dealing specifically with vendors that take cash only, usually a small business, try using your cc until you get to talk to your ATM card issuer.
May 30th, 2016, 06:58 AM
#12
Did you notify your CU that you would be out of the country -- it may be a fraud prevention block on your card. Some of my cards have raised numbers and some don't and all have worked - at least in the UK.
Being the holiday weekend there may be nothing you can do until tomorrow -- but you should be fine just using your credit card for expenses until then.
Being the holiday weekend there may be nothing you can do until tomorrow -- but you should be fine just using your credit card for expenses until then.
May 30th, 2016, 07:05 AM
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There are few other reasons I can think of. 1. asking amount beyond what your bank or the atm allows. 2. asking amount not dispensable at that machine. If you don't ask set usual amount displayed on the screen, it had to be dispensable using the bills available in that machine. Some machine gives you ineligible message that it happened while others simply say it cannot be done without understandable reasons. 3. you bank is doing maintenance and is offline at time convenient at home but not for you, etc.
May 30th, 2016, 07:05 AM
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I'm surprised your CU doesn't have someone manning the help desk even on memorial Day. what happens if a card is stolen and you need to report it? Tough because it's a day off? Have you actually tried calling them?
May 30th, 2016, 07:13 AM
#17
IME many banks, CUs and credit cards are being much more vigilant about blocking accounts when there is unexpected activity.
hetismij2: I have accounts w/ several banks and credit unions. Two of them - a local bank and a regional credit union only have customer service during normal business hours. It isn't that unusual.
hetismij2: I have accounts w/ several banks and credit unions. Two of them - a local bank and a regional credit union only have customer service during normal business hours. It isn't that unusual.
May 30th, 2016, 07:22 AM
#18
We have not always informed our bank which issued our ATM/cash card about travels and have never had any difficulty getting cash out of a machine. I think you need to wait and use your credit card for things OTHER than cash until you can get this straightened out tomorrow.
May 30th, 2016, 07:22 AM
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Just spoke with someone at the emergency number and she saw "Suspicious Geographic usage" on the account. And asked if we told the CU whether or not we were traveling overseas... Oops! And she can't access the travel system to make the change needed.
May 30th, 2016, 07:38 AM
#20
"<i> . . . never had any difficulty getting cash out of a machine. </i>"
In my travel talks I always mention notifying banks, credit cards but seldom did it myself (sort of shoemaker - family shoes situation). Never was a problem. Until it was. IME things have changed and now it is important to either call or notify them through your on-line banking. Being 5 or 8 or 10 time zones away makes straightening things out a hassle.
In my travel talks I always mention notifying banks, credit cards but seldom did it myself (sort of shoemaker - family shoes situation). Never was a problem. Until it was. IME things have changed and now it is important to either call or notify them through your on-line banking. Being 5 or 8 or 10 time zones away makes straightening things out a hassle.
