Cash Point Cards

**Silver Dollar** · 02-07-2004, 22:42

When I was last here I was able to draw out at any autobank, but it appears since I last came back two weeks ago, there is no where I can use my Abbey National visa/delta card even though it has the 'PLUS' symbol on it, nowhere will accept it. I called Abbey National back in England and they confirmed there is nothing wrong with my card, but it appears that no where I've tried will take it. Any ideas anyone if you are out here or recently returned to advise me where I can go. Other than that I will need to wire across funds.

**Nostromo** · 02-07-2004, 23:32

There are two possibilities. One is that your card issuer may have BLOCKED your card as a precautionary measure and waiting for you to call. But your post seems to indicate that you have already done so and therefore you may be all right there. The second possibility is that the black stripe on your card might have got accidentally DEMAGNETISED on the flight rendering the card useless. If you had kept it in close contact with a magnet, this can occur.

What error message, if any, appeard on the Autobank screen?

**Mr G** · 03-07-2004, 02:44

I am with Abbey National and always use my Link card in Florida. I was out there last October and had no problems using it in any Cash point, both inside the parks and all the other machines around.

As Nostromo says, what error message are you getting.

I will contact Abbey and see if their policy has changed re the US or if they are aware of any other reports from customers. I have some friends in their International dept. I will ring them tomorrow morning and post a reply on here for you Silver Dollar.

**Ian Dee** · 03-07-2004, 03:38

May be the new Abbey Card has to have international blocking removed[?]

**Silver Dollar** · 03-07-2004, 04:41

I was able to use it previously at almost every outlet, but even though I telephoned Abbey National back home they said that it was nothing to do with my card. My husband is having the same problem...NOTHING works!!! So I don't know what has happened since then.

**Nostromo** · 03-07-2004, 11:07

I just remembered something which may help. Lasy year, my wife and I were holidaying in the caribbean for 2 weeks. We were in St Vincents when my wife needed money but her Barclays cash card did not work, even though there was a Barclays bank in town. We then simply went into the bank and explained the situation, and they were able to give us cast against the barclays account at no extra charge. Perhaps you can try the same thing in one of the US banks? I am sure Abbey will have a link to at least one local branch. This will save time and money compared to wiring cash from the UK.

**Mr G** · 03-07-2004, 13:24

Hello Silver Dollar.
I have just spoken to Abbey and they say there is definitely no change to policy re cash machines,your card should work.
They state there is no International blocking on cards and if it worked in the UK it should work in the US.
They stated if you go into any Bank with a Visa symbol, they will give you cash, which is taken from your linked account, ie current,you will obviously need identification like passport.
She said be aware to ask what the charges are as Banks differ greatly for this service.
She said there should be no problem re obtaining cash this way.
Her explanation is that your cards metal strip has possibly become corrupted.
This obviously does not explain why your husbands card doesn't work either.!! (unless they have both been subject to close proximaty to a magnet.)
Try visiting the Bank for cash.
You probably have the Abbey help number but here it is anyway,
Tel 0044 161 951 6500
Good luck and If the Abbey card doesnt work you may have to obtain cash on a credit card.
If you have any further problems please post and I will help in any way I can.

**jolliffee** · 03-07-2004, 13:24

Two people with the same problem. I suggest you give Abbey National a strong phone call and reference the fact this is happening to a number of people that have reported it on this forum.[msnoo]
Dave

**Cruella DeVilla** · 05-07-2004, 00:54

We had a problem with our BOA account, but it turned out the bank had stopped my hubbies card as we were shopping for the villa furnishings and hundreds and hundreds of dollars were being spent each day and as nothing had happened on the account for 5 months, it was just cautionery. We went to the bank and they sorted it out for us. Annoying when you are so far from home as with the Abbey.