Is it possible to withdraw money without a card? Technology has advanced so much that we no longer have to take out the card to pay in any establishment. Our mobile is used for immediate payment like a card, and now also for withdrawing money at ATMs.
Although it may generate rejection at first, going to the ATM without a credit or debit card is not dangerous. What’s more, in some situations it is considered safer than opening your wallet in the middle of the street. No more hiding to enter the PIN or constantly turning to see if there is someone behind you. This new way of withdrawing money will give you more peace of mind and, above all, more freedom.
Are there risks?
Certain banks now offer mobile applications that allow customers to generate codes and withdraw money without the need for their physical card. These codes are sent via SMS and have a limited validity period, ensuring complete safety as they become inactive after a short time.
However, one limitation is that such ATMs may not be widely available. Even if your bank offers this option, you’ll need to find a compatible ATM to conduct the transaction. Additionally, if your mobile lacks NFC technology, it might not be suitable for accessing your account.
Concerns about potential security risks exist, particularly if someone gains unauthorized access to your mobile device. While withdrawing money without a card is more secure, unauthorized access to your phone could compromise sensitive information, including your banking application. But having an antivirus in place can mitigate this risk.
Thankfully, mobile phones are becoming increasingly versatile, streamlining various tasks. Remembering PINs at ATMs is no longer necessary; facial or fingerprint recognition can grant access to our bank accounts.
Using a mobile phone not only frees us from carrying our wallet around, making it less cumbersome and reducing the risk of theft, but it also renders hidden camera scams ineffective. Since you won’t have your card physically present, scammers cannot capture your card details. The codes generated by the app are for one-time use, making them useless to hackers. Furthermore, not having to touch the ATM contributes to a more hygienic experience.
Banks that allow it
Among Spain’s most renowned banks, La Caixa stands out. With its web or mobile app, CaixaBankNow, customers can withdraw money from ATMs using a code. They have the option to select either “Send code to someone else” or “Send code to myself,” followed by entering the desired amount and the recipient’s mobile number for the SMS to arrive. This convenient feature enables cash withdrawals at any CaixaBank ATM without the need for a physical card. However, it’s important to note that this service incurs a fee of 2 euros, and users can withdraw up to 500 euros per week and 3,000 euros per quarter with a code.
Santander also offers the possibility of withdrawing money without a card through contactless ATMs that utilize NFC technology. By installing the Samsung Pay app, Google Pay, or Apple Pay with App Wallet, users can bring their mobile phones close to the ATM, enter their card’s PIN number, and withdraw cash even if they have forgotten their wallet at home.
Alternatively, Santander provides the option of withdrawing money with a code, similar to La Caixa’s system. In this case, customers can access the “Withdraw money with code” feature in the Santander App, allowing them to withdraw up to a maximum of 300 euros per day and 1,000 euros per week.
Additionally, BBVA bank offers code-based withdrawals via SMS, which can be sent to either the account holder’s mobile or the mobile phone of another selected individual. Upon receiving the code, customers can enter it at the ATM to withdraw the designated amount as agreed in the app.