Possible Belgian ATM Issue

Thanks for the heads up. As more and more counties go cashless, this could be a reason banks will no longer support ATM's.

Wow, I always think with two debit cards, I’m good. What an aggravation.

In the past, Belgian banks each had their own ATM’s. It wasn’t rare to find 3 or more ATM’s from different banks very close to each other. Back then, all these ATM’s were needed. But when less and less people use cash, fewer ATM’s were needed. But how to decide which bank should keep their ATM and which bank could remove it? To solve this puzzle, banks in Belgium decided to pool their resources. They started a joint venture that now operates the ATM’s on their behalf. So instead of the name of the bank, ATM’s now bear the name Bancontact Cash.
This isn’t a new thing by the way, it was done years ago already. And it isn’t a Belgian thing. The banks in the Netherlands have done the same thing. The started a joint venture called Geldmaat and at the end of 2020 the last bank operated ATM was replaced by a Geldmaat ATM.

Back to your problem. Since this transition isn’t a new thing, I don’t think it’s the reason your card got swallowed. In Belgium and the Netherlands, both debt and credit cards do have an expiration date. This is so cards are up to date with the latest security features.
There should have been a sign on or near the ATM with the 24/7 number to call in case of urgent issues; 078 170 170
Hopefully they’ll be able to help you.

There was a sign, but with a different phone number, which gave me a recording and no way to leave a message.

We used something similar in Bruges with our credit union debit cards and had no problems. My card was brand new, since it had expired over a year ago and I hadn’t noticed until right before our trip, so perhaps that helped.

We actually had a bit of a panic since our B&B was cash only and we hadn’t seen any ATMs as we walked around town (this was the very start of our trip). I finally asked the ticket sellers at one museum if they knew where an ATM was located and they came up blank. “No one uses cash anymore.” I guess this shouldn’t have surprised me since I also had a brand new debit card from our other credit union and I had to request that one since it was expiring and I hadn’t used it for over 2 years so they weren’t going to issue a new one automatically.

My debit cards have always had expiration dates printed on them but they’ve always been credit union cards, not bank cards, so perhaps that makes a difference?

Bummer for you though. :-(

Thanks for the update and sharing your problem as an experienced traveler!

I, too, travel with 2 debit cards and think I am covered but clearly this isn't always the case. I do usually use ApplePay for everything now but I learned from others here to have some cash in case of some kind of power grid issue or other widespread meltdown.

Glad you are at the end of your trip....let us know what transpires!

And Dutch Traveler, thanks for your extra insight as well.

The disappearance of bank ATMs and (slow) replacement by Bancontact has been a political issue in the recent past, especially as some small businesses (such as taxi drivers) still like cash.

I once had a debit card get swallowed by an ATM in Brussels (like, 25 years ago). I ended up contacting the branch of the bank where it happened and they told me that only with a letter from the home branch of my bank in Australia would they give me the card back. Well, Australian banks don't work like that, I had no recollection of where the branch was that I opened my account at. Any bank in Australia has equal status as accounts are managed centrally. Fortunately in those days my parents were able to help me - they went to the local branch in their town and had them fax the Belgian bank with permission to hand it over to me. I have no idea why the card was swallowed but it wouldn't have been due to an expiry date, as that card would still have been valid. I guess sometimes it just happens randomly. Hope you don't have to request your bank to send permission too!

Lavandula

Hm interesting information regarding the Netherlands as well. Last October I tried using both of my debit cards at two different ATMs in Amsterdam and neither worked although my cards were returned. I still had some local currency with me so it wasn’t a major problem. Fortunately we have an excellent currency exchange business in metro Vancouver that we use and I will continue to get my currency before I leave.

“ There was a sign, but with a different phone number, which gave me a recording and no way to leave a message.”

The phone number you saw posted is the phone number for general inquiries, complaints etc.
That’s why this particular number it isn’t answered 24/7.
The number to call in case of urgent matters like a swallowed card, is the number I gave you in my post above; 078 170 170.
I suggest to call them asap, and hopefully they can help retrieve your cards.

I will try that number; thanks for providing it. I'll report back. First attempt, at 08:59 today (Sunday), failed with what seemed the same message I got on the other number, as described in my initial post.

However, the sign prominently posted on the wall opposite the machines indicated the number I used could be called Mon-Sat from 08:00 to 18:00. I didn't notice any other signage, but I could have overlooked it. I was really annoyed because I had already tried two other locations where there were supposed to be ATMs, but were not, and the ATM search (necessary only because the previous night's restaurant couldn't get its card reader to work) was cutting into my sightseeing time.

How are you trying to call the number? And what’s the exact message you get? You mentioned something about Proximus? In that case, it’s probably not a matter of them not being their to answer your call, but rather your call not going thru. Proximus is the name of the largest telecommunications company in Belgium.
You need to add the Belgian country code to the number, which is +32. You also need to remove the first 0.
So the number to call is +32 78 170 170

I just dialed this number from the Netherlands and it worked fine. You first hear a message in French, then one in Dutch and then one in English which tells you to press “3” to continue in English.

+32 78 170 170 is the number of Card Stop. They will just block the further use of your card in our systems, without any further assistance.
Their review score of 1.2 doesn't require any further clarification https://nl-be.trustpilot.com/review/cardstop.be

Debit cards are physically very like credit cards, and have expiration dates on them. Querying the expiration date is one of the ways that card processors determine whether the user probably has the real card in their possession in an online transaction. I have been asked by B of A for the 3-digit security number, in their ATM, in my home town. (Annoying)

The disappearance of bank ATMs and (slow) replacement by Bancontact has been a political issue in the recent past

This actually means it is a non issue.
Correct, you lost your ATM next to your house or hotel, but every belgian citizen will still find a Cash Point within 5 Km of his house. In cities, it's rather within 500 m of distance. To find all ATM's see here https://www.bancontact.cash/en