# Why was my ATM withdrawal refused? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 21, 2018, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-my-atm-withdrawal-refused/812876 "2018-04-21T22:17:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2018, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-my-atm-withdrawal-refused/812876/1 "2018-04-21T22:17:05Z")
One of those small ATMs in a restaurant that has to dial up and then waits forever to complete the transaction. But this time it read, “Reversal unsuccessful”. So what (didn’t) happen)? Dennis ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2018, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-my-atm-withdrawal-refused/812876/2 "2018-04-21T22:21:53Z")
I’m not a expert, but if I were you I’d check my bank after seeing “Reversal unsuccessful.” It sounds to me like after the ATM failed to dispense funds it tried to reverse the transaction with your bank, and that reversal failed. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2018, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-my-atm-withdrawal-refused/812876/3 "2018-04-22T01:12:49Z")
I had that problem when I was in Barbados a year ago and my bank could never explain the problem. Fortunately, my wife’s card worked. My bank gave me a new card and that worked this year. But no explanation ever.