Can i get cash without my card

What happens when you find yourself in need of cash, but without your ATM card? If you are unfortunate enough to have your debit card stolen, you lose your card or simply forget to bring it with you, and you need cash, there are a couple of ways to solve the problem so you can get the money you need.

Table of Contents Show

Ask the Teller for Help
Write a Check to Yourself
Access Your Emergency Cash Service
Use a Smartphone
What is NFC technology?
N26 x Google Pay
What is Near Field Communication for?
How can I withdraw cash from an ATM using my smartphone?
N26 x Google Pay
Your money at N26
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is NFC technology safe?
Can I use NFC technology with N26?
Do I need my card to pay for things?
Can I use my N26 card from my smartphone?
Relevant links

Ask the Teller for Help

Go inside the bank and explain to the teller that you do not have your ATM card on hand. The teller has the ability to look up your account information, and may ask for your state-issued driver’s license or ID card according to bank policy. You will need to fill out a withdrawal slip with your account number, which the teller can provide if you don't know it, the amount of money you need and your signature. The teller can then withdraw the money from your account and complete the transaction.

Write a Check to Yourself

If you have your checkbook, writing a check made out to cash will get you cash without an ATM card. Give your check to the bank teller or to a cashier at a local retailer and receive your funds in return. The safest bet is to present the check at your bank, as the check will be readily accepted. When visiting a retail store or bank where you do not have accounts, call ahead to see if they will accept a check from you made payable to cash. A check made out to cash is not secure. This means, the check gets lost, the finder can receive the money unless you stop payment on the check first. Because of that risk, do not write out the check until arriving at the bank or retailer.

Access Your Emergency Cash Service

Some banks offer a convenient emergency cash service. To use this benefit, contact your bank and report your card lost or stolen. You will be given an emergency code number to key into the ATM, enabling you to withdraw cash without using a card. Use this service only if your card is truly lost or stolen as your ATM card will be deactivated, forcing you to apply for a new card and wait for its arrival.

Use a Smartphone

A mobile cash withdrawal feature for your smartphone eliminates the need for an ATM card. To get this feature, you’ll need to first register with your bank. The registration can be done at the bank branch or through the bank’s Internet banking service. Once registered, download the mobile banking app to your smartphone. The app allows you to set up a withdrawal and then it electronically transmits a 2D bar code to your smartphone. Upon arrival at the ATM, scan the bar code for authorization to withdraw cash from your account.

Until recently, going out with no cash or cards usually meant borrowing money from a friend or simply heading home. But thanks to the power of technology, you can now leave your wallet at home! With your smartphone on hand, you’ll be able to take cash out or pay without your card in plenty of places.

This is all thanks to NFC technology.

What is NFC technology?

NFC stands for Near Field Communication. It’s a type of short-range connectivity technology that runs on high-frequency waves, and it’s used for transferring data between devices. Through induction, NFC creates an electromagnetic field that allows two devices to exchange data at speeds of up to 424 kbp/s. NFC technology only works at short distances, so users need to bring their smartphones within 15 centimeters of the reader to kick off the process.

Although NFC technology has existed for over a decade, it didn’t become popular until very recently. These days, many smartphones, credit, and debit cards are equipped with this handy technology that lets you make payments or access information with a simple tap of your phone, card, or other NFC device.

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What is Near Field Communication for?

Contactless NFC technology has grown in popularity because of its wide range of uses and quick data transfer. Here’s a list its main uses:

Smartphone payments. This is NFC technology’s most popular use. With applications like Google Pay, Apple Pay, and your bank’s mobile app, you can easily make payments in many shops, bars, and restaurants.
Card payments. Prefer the feel of plastic? You can still use NFC technology with certain credit or debit cards. All you have to do is tap the card against the reader, and it’ll work just like your smartphone.
Withdrawing cash at ATMs via your smartphone. You can now take out cash at NFC-enabled cash machines—no debit card required.
Connecting mobile devices. NFC speeds up the transfer of videos, music, and photos. This means that NFC-enabled tablets, cameras, and wireless speakers can link to your smartphone and share data in a matter of seconds.

How can I withdraw cash from an ATM using my smartphone?

Almost all smartphones are NFC-enabled. To check if yours is too, open the “Settings” menu, tap “Connections”, and look for the NFC logo. If your smartphone is NFC-enabled, withdrawing cash is a breeze. Just follow these steps:

Find a contactless-enabled cash machine. You’ll be able to recognize it if you see a small NFC reader near the traditional card reader. If there are none nearby, you can find a list of them on your banking app, or via Google Pay or Apple Pay.
Once you’re at the ATM and bring your smartphone to within range of the machine’s NFC reader.
Key in your PIN code and enter the amount you’d like to withdraw.
Take your cash—that’s all there is to it!

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Still using cash? Open an N26 bank account and pay with your smartphone using Google Pay.

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Contactless payment is a connectivity technology that allows you to make quick and secure payments instantly. Just bring your debit card, credit card, or smartphone near the receiver or POS (Point of Sale) terminal. Using NFC technology can make your life a whole lot easier. Let’s take one last look at some of the major benefits you can enjoy with NFC technology:

Instant payments that happen within 0.1 seconds with a simple tap of your NFC-enabled device
More secure than traditional card payments. All the payment data is encrypted and stored on your smartphone’s NFC chip. Its short communication range also reduces the chances of hackers accessing your data.
With NFC, you can use your smartphone to quickly and safely withdraw cash and make payments—making it the ideal substitute for traditional credit and debit cards.
You can easily confirm your identity by bringing your smartphone within range of an NFC detector. This comes in handy when your home or office uses NFC-based entry, eliminating the use of key cards or badges.

Your money at N26

Whether you’re off to France for a few weeks or are moving to Australia for a nine-month internship, N26 has got your back. We want everyone to understand how banking works—which is why we’ve created a series of articles on money-management, finance, and other banking-related subjects. And, if you want a flexible account that’s as mobile as you are, explore our accounts today to find the one that fits you best.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is NFC technology safe?

NFC technology is safe—its range is short to subvert hacking attempts, and users need to activate it in order to use it.

Can I use NFC technology with N26?

All N26 accounts come with a virtual Mastercard you can use to make payments from your NFC-equipped smartphone. All of our physical Mastercards come with NFC-tech built-in, too!

Do I need my card to pay for things?

As long as you have an NFC-equipped smartphone, you’ll no longer need to bring your physical card with you. You’ll be able to pay for things at a variety of bars, restaurants, and shops safely with your virtual card.

Can I use my N26 card from my smartphone?

If you have an NFC-equipped smartphone, you’ll just need to download the Google Pay or Apple Pay app to be able to use your N26 card from your smartphone. Easy peasy!