Just got to Sydney and my Maestro debit card (UK) isnt working in any of the cash machines – Help!!?
Hi all,
Ive just arrived in Sydney Australia from the UK, I have a Natwest Maestro Debit card, most of the cash machines here say they accept it, but every single one Ive tried wont process the transaction, one says ‘Unable to connect to this account at this time – please try again later’ and the others just say a message along the lines of ‘Invalid account/transaction’. Ive had this card/account for years and have had no problem using it in other foreign countries (most recently Thailand back in June where every cash machine took it).
Im really panicing as this is my only source of money, I have a small amount of money in travellers cheques but not enough to last me very long attall.
Has anyone else had similar problems? It seems like it might be that the cash machines cannot connect to Natwest back in England – is this a possibility? It is 1pm here in Australia therefore that means it’s 3am in England, maybe the transaction cant be processed if the banks in england are closed? Although that seems stupid if so as you should be able to get money from cash machines at any time.
Any advice would be much appreciated as Im going to be severely stuck if I cant withdraw any money, as all my money is in this account and Im on my own too so have no one to borrow money off should it come to that.
Thanks in advance!!
Your bank has a scam security on it.. Just phone them and tell them its you using the card not a scammer in sydney!! I went to dubai, same thing happend!! Just phone the 24 hour line!!
just go into any bank & explain your problem with the card they will be happy to help you fix the problem for you
You’re best bet is going to be to go into a Bank and make a withdrawal that way. Obviously, if there is a problem, the Teller will be able to advise you what needs to be done. And from there, you should have no further problems accessing your cash.
Otherwise, do you have a telephone number that Natwest has told you to call when you experience problems overseas? Because you may have to ring the bank directly (back in the U.K.) to sort out the problem. I don’t believe there is a Natwest Bank branch in either Sydney or Melbourne.
Good luck.
Although you may have to arrange for money to be transferred to you by Western Union (for example). Because debit cards DO NOT necessarily work in every single country. That’s why traveller’s cheques and/or credit cards are the safest options when travelling overseas.
EDIT: Oh… and don’t forget to take your passport with you into the bank. They may require some form of photo ID.
Have you tried eftpos machines? Perhaps you’re best to pay by eftpos and get cash out when you need it.
Try calling the bank to, if there is some security feature on it.