Oh look, it's captain Hindsight!

Or Captain I've been in similar situations, Captain ask friends who have traveled for advice, Captain be prepared for bad shit to happen.

Or captain Bitter af

well it looks like op already has 2 cards (both can't be used because of recent events). regarding cash: it's impossible to bring cash for e.g a year or so and even highly dangerous.

3's point, 1/5, was that it's a little useless saying that given OP's current situation already having occurred. No need to get all bitter over it.

I understand your point #1, but some people only have 1 credit or debit card (op even had 2) and not everyone has extra cash they can just bring on a trip, let alone enough cash to pay for all expenses for over 2 weeks. And as someone else mentioned, it can also be dangerous/risky to bring that much in cash because if it gets stolen, there's no getting that back. Op, that sounds awful! Isn't there anyway the bank can lend you the amount that was stolen? I'd go to the bank branch (if they have one in Sweden) or call your bank and talk to the manager. If not, I guess you'd have to look at getting a temporary job where they can pay cash, maybe waiting tables? Or go to the embassy, explain the situation, and see if they can get you home early or set you up with a job or something? I really hope it all works out!

Well, my initial thought would be to freeze the debit card account, not widthdrawl everything in the account. It's a total FYL, but there was a way to prevent the second part. Of course, nobody goes to an atm to expect their card to get eaten up.

People like you give me hope. That's super sweet of you.

Thanks! But it really is just trying to be a decent person. You never know when you might be in the same situation! :)

Faith in humanity restored

I actually work somewhere they have a chip reader and unfortunately you actually can't just swipe. a guy came in to pay for his kid's birthday party and his chip didn't work. When you swipe it recognizes you have a chip and tells you to insert. Luckily I was able to type in his number manually, since we allow payment over the phone.

But at most places if the chip reader fails three times it will allow you to swipe instead

And hopefully those friends and family won't think it's one of those scam emails we've all received describing a similar situation just to con you while you think you're helping a friend.

The stripping was a joke obviously. Lol.