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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to ask how an American visitor can get his cash?

20 replies

GimmeTheCash · 27/09/2014 22:57

Have NC for this, because locally a few people know of this. We have a young American (cue for a song) staying with us for a while.

He arrived with some spending money in cash, plus the bulk of his funds in his account for which he has an ATM card (similar to, but not a debit card) and a limited Credit card.

His cash has run out and he intended to replenish it using his ATM card, something his bank had told him he would be able to do (his bank is actually not a bank, it is a Credit Union). He has tried to use it, but it doesn't work in the ATMs here! WE have asked in a few different national banks and they all say it is because American ATM cards do not have a chip.

He does have a Credit card (from the same Credit Union), but it is a limited use one and, even if he could afford the exorbitant fees, it is not a card that allows cash withdrawal.

Help! Anyone got any idea how this young man can access his money (preferably ways that aren't going to cost me money!!!)?

OP posts:

Sleepyhoglet · 27/09/2014 23:00

Could he set up a uk bank account then phone his USA bank to do a transfer or write a cheque?

McBear · 27/09/2014 23:00

Call his bank and do a transfer to y.our bank?

mausmaus · 27/09/2014 23:01

does his bank have an office here?
I woud write /phone his bank in us asking him if he has to use the atm of a certain bank here or if he can withdraw at the counter at an affilate bank here.

squoosh · 27/09/2014 23:04

Can he transfer funds from his account to yours via paypal?

dreamingbohemian · 27/09/2014 23:10

He has to call the credit union and ask them what to do -- that is probably the only way to find out (or look on their website). I think credit unions are usually local so won't have branches abroad and aren't always plugged into the networks that allow you to take out money everywhere.

I have used American cards without chips in UK ATMs so I don't think that's the problem.

sykadelic · 27/09/2014 23:11

Did he let his CU know that he was leaving the country? I'd suggest calling them to find out if they've put a hold on his account (same thing happened to a friend visiting me here in the US from Australia).

Can banks in the UK do a cash advance from the card? That's how my bank here handled a similar issue.

If that doesn't work, he could ask a family member to send him more money using Western Union, or he could set up paypal from his account.

There are a few options. First port would definitely be to contact his CU and ask about the block, then finding a bank in the UK to withdraw at the counter (instead of ATM).

missingmumxox · 27/09/2014 23:16

My back of America card does not have a chip (that said not used since last year) I have used it in supermarkets, and got cash back, most cash card things have a swipey bit at the side and you sign but some are disabled, banks should be able to sort him, we wanted to transfer some money it wasn't simple needed some codes? Can't remember the name of them but our bank helped us do it took about a week first time bit quicker once we knew what to do.

Bacs number? That could be what it was called but our bank forgot to give us the international bit??

Original poster

GimmeTheCash · 27/09/2014 23:24

Thank you, everyone. I will have him call his Credit Union on Monday and start looking into how much a transfer into my account would cost him, either directly or via paypal, as suggested.

I thought it should be possible to use an American ATM card in UK ATMs,
dreamingbohemian! Was really surprised when first he said and then I found that he couldn't. Seemed odd, but maybe it's his particular Credit Union.

He did let the CU know he was travelling, sykadelic, but they wouldn't be the first to fail to flag an account, so I guess he could be blocked. Looks like we'll have to phone his CU and see what's going wrong.

I was amazed at how little information there is online. Thank you all for your ideas.

OP posts:

jacks365 · 27/09/2014 23:30

the number is iban (international bank account number) and swift code that missingmumxox mentioned. They would enable him to arrange a transfer to someone here if anyone would be happy to do that for him.

SconeRhymesWithGone · 27/09/2014 23:34

I have used my ATM card in the UK, but my last visit was two years ago. But it is a big American bank and we did tell them before we left that we would be in the UK.

Original poster

GimmeTheCash · 27/09/2014 23:37

Could he do that via online banking (which he has), jacks365? If so he would need my account details and an iban, from my bank?

OP posts:

Suefla62 · 27/09/2014 23:57

I only have a US account and have used my debit card all over England. It does not have a chip. In shops the assistand has to use the swipe part of the reader. At an ATM all I need is a four digit pin.

Suefla62 · 27/09/2014 23:59

Forgot to say that my card has a MasterCard logo on it.

Original poster

GimmeTheCash · 28/09/2014 00:02

Thank you, Suefla62. That makes me think that sykadelic could well be correct, and he's been blocked.

Will get him to phone his CU on Monday.

OP posts:

MomOfTwoGirls2 · 28/09/2014 00:36

Western Union?

shaska · 28/09/2014 01:27

I don't think a swipe/sign card will work in a UK ATM. Does he have a pin at all?

If he does, then yes, google for info about what banks will let him withdraw cash, and yes make sure his card isn't blocked. Hopefully that will fix it, but if not:

Yes, cashback at supermarkets/shops is an option, though some are funny about allowing cashback on a signature transaction.

Don't go for an international transfer (IBAN/Swift) as the fees are not pretty.

Alternatively his bank may have an arrangement with a certain UK bank that will allow him to withdraw cash in a branch.

YES to paypal - get him to paypal money to you and you withdraw the money and pass it on to him. This is the easiest way if you can't do it in a bank/via a cash machine.

missingmumxox · 28/09/2014 03:27

Jacks365 yes that's it Iban thank you it's been driving me crazy trying to think what it was.

The transfer fees are silly that is why you plan ahead, I could use a cashpoint now someone has reminded me but you pay a basic fee plus % each time, I used to take £200 each time as that did not breach my $300 a day limit once I added fees and % of money transferred, thus incurring fines, but kept the cost down...

I do wonder if he has unwittingly cleared his account, the fees are mental.

sykadelic · 28/09/2014 03:33

My husband is a Veteran and no matter how many times he told his bank (a local one) he was deploying, he'd end up blocked at some point.

Even one time when we drove from Texas to Illinois for our wedding/honeymoon they blocked his account and we ended up using my international cards just to pay for the car rental! It was on a federal holiday too so we couldn't even call them!

So I would not be surprised AT ALL if it's been blocked even though they were advised.

sashh · 28/09/2014 07:02

Another vote for paypal.

Does his card have a 6 digit pin? If so he needs to try using just the last 4 digits.

Western union might also be an idea

Bonbonbonbon · 28/09/2014 12:52

I used my USA debit card in the UK plenty of times with no problem, and it doesn't have a chip. The only place it wouldn't work was the ticket machines in the Tube. It'll be his CU that's causing the issue. Is there a MC or Visa logo on his card?

Incidentally, the USA is FINALLY switching to chip and pin this year.

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