ATM did not dispense cash when withdrawing money — What to do?

You’re trying to withdraw cash using an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), but the money was not dispensed and yet the amount was deducted from your account. Oh no!

That really sucks, but don’t panic. Here are tips on how to deal with this kind of situation.

1. Keep the transaction receipt.

If the machine issued a transaction receipt, make sure you get it from the ATM and keep it. Check if the receipt contains the date and time of your withdrawal transaction. If not, make sure you take note of the date and time of the transaction and once you’re at home, write those details at the back of the receipt. Also write down the exact location of the ATM that did not dispense cash. Make sure you photocopy the transaction receipt, since most receipts are printed on thermal paper whose prints fade over time.

2. Report the transaction to your bank.

If the ATM is located in a branch that is still open (within operating hours), report the transaction immediately to the branch staff. They will assist you regarding the next steps. Alternatively, call the bank’s hotline and report the transaction.

Here are Telephone Numbers of some of the big banks in the Philippines:

  • Asia United Bank (AUB) – 638-6888 / 631-3333 / 636-6107
  • Banco de Oro (BDO) – 840-7000 / 702-6242
  • Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) – 89-100
  • China Banking Corporation (ChinaBank) – 885-5555 / 885-5402 / 818-5038
  • Citibank – 894-7700
  • Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) – 818-9511 to 818-9520 local 3510
  • East West Banking Corp. (EastWest Bank) – 575-3888 / 575-3870
  • Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) – 581-7710
  • Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) – 522-0000
  • Metrobank – 898-8000 / 857-0000 / 898-9062
  • Philippine National Bank (PNB) – 891-6267
  • Philippine Veterans Bank – 902-1690 / 840-3655 / 902-1600
  • Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) – 894-9000 / 894-9995
  • Security Bank – 888-7710
  • Standard Chartered Bank – 886-7888
  • UnionBank of the Philippines (UBP) – 667-6388 / 813-5715 / 892-0011

Explain to the bank’s representative the details of what happened and ask when you can expect an update on or resolution of your case.

3. Submit a formal complaint to your bank.

If your case is not immediately resolved, file a written letter of complaint addressed to the bank. Explain the details of the withdrawal transaction. Also attach a copy of your transaction receipt, but do not submit the original copy — unless officially requested by the bank! When you submit your letter, take note of the name and position of the person who received it and inquire when you can expect a response from the bank.

4. Follow up if the bank did not respond within the given time.

If you did not hear from the bank within the waiting period they gave you, call or visit the branch to follow up. Courteously but firmly ask for an update, and if they won’t give you a definite answer, inform them that you will elevate your request to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

5. Report your complaint to the BSP.

If the bank did not promptly act on your complaint, submit a formal report to the BSP. Include in your complaint letter details such as:

  • incident of the ATM not dispensing cash (include amount withdrawn, time and date of transaction, ATM location, etc.);
  • how long you have been waiting for the bank to resolve your request;
  • when you followed up with your bank and update you got from them, if any

Submit your letter of complaint to the BSP. Here are their contact details:

Financial Consumer Protection Department

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

Ground Floor, Multi-Storey Building, BSP Complex A. Mabini St., Malate, Manila 1004

E-mail: consumeraffairs@bsp.gov.ph

Telephone Number: (+632) 708-7087

We hope with these tips, you’ll get your money back as soon as possible!

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9 thoughts on “ATM did not dispense cash when withdrawing money — What to do?”

  1. ATM didn’t dispens the cash but money was deducted from my account. it was happened yesterday 16th jan 2018. please contact me on +917226069064

    Reply
  2. This was happened to me last 03/09/18. I got a transaction card that the machine was unable to dispense cash and when I checked back my balance it was debited I was kinda nervous the lady next to me tried to widthraw and her transaction went successfully and that’s the time I got panicked so I called my branch and they gave me a case number and I have to wait for atleast 5 banking days to reversed the amount that was debited to my savings. This is the 2nd time and it’s pretty annoying

    Reply
  3. I also encountered this situation 3 days ago May 5th,2018. I am using an international card. I tried to withdraw but when inputting the amount to be withdrawn the machine let the card out and said THE PIN CANNOT BE PROCESSED. How did that happen? I filed a complaints but they said that the sender has to filed complaints as well since that is an international card. The bank abroad gave me a service to call up but I can’t understand since they are in an English speaking country. Does anyone know the process?

    Reply
  4. this just happened to me just now. i am panic-ing. i tried withdrawing on a bunch of atm from bpi, chinabank, and psb. all having transaction errors. but then i checked my bpi online account, and found i was deducted. im sure its not from a bpi atm since there is a 15 peso deduction on top. the thing is i thrown the receipt. im fvked. pls send help.

    Reply
    • Pls help what to do. Same thing happen to me. September 28 2018 around 6:30pm. I widraw at bdo but mu card is bpi. Transaction is complete and deducted to my card but no money is being dispensed.

      Reply
  5. Gud murning po ask q lng po nagwithdrw po q khapon tpos wla po lumabas na pera problema po d po nag balance diretso withdrw po agad tpos wla po lumabas na pera pero na transact q db po magsabi nman po atm machine kpag ung withdrw q ay mas mababa na sa laman?Wla po syang lumabas na pera panu po kaya yun?

    Reply
  6. I made a withdrawal attempt from a Landbank atm usinv my paymaya. No cash came out so I thought the transaction didn’t went through due to machine ran out of cash. Sson after i pulled out my card. I received a meggase from paymaya that i just made a withrwal with the amount that i attempted to get. And they confirmed showing my balance had reflected 9,000 lesser before i inserted it to the atm machine. Paypal had filed a claim with landbank as they said when i called them and landbank says they are waiting for paypal to report. What a mess! This shoud be resolve as soon as they get the report. They should be able to credit back the said amount like how quick they took it from my card. They have all the means to check, they can right away chech their system. 2 businees days to get back my money that they took in split sec. What if I don’t live in that place where i tried to make the transaction abd i have nothing left money to use? What if i got a sick family member that needs that money? What if thats what im supposed to use to buy food. What if ill be thrown out from the hotel where im checked in because i did’nt get my money abg i have to wait for working days? Don’t these company have what ifs for their ckiebts who trusted them with hard earned money? Damn!!!!

    Reply

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