Before leaving for an extended stay in another country, I contacted Santander Bank to let them know that I would be in a certain city for 9 weeks and wanted to make sure that there would be no problem using my debit card at the Santander ATM in the city I would be staying in. They noted this on my account and assured me that there would be no problem. In XXXX 2016 ( mid-way through my stay ), Santander made a decision to de-activate my debit card as a new one, with a new chip, had been sent to my home and had been activated by the bank. I received no notice that the card I had with me would be de-activated. So, basically, Santander Bank is holding my funds hostage while I am in another country, unable to get the card that is sitting in a pile of mail at home. I have spoken with numerous representatives trying to get help and the answers have been the same ... so sorry ... .nothing we can do ... .the new cards were machine generated ... .the card you have with you can not be reactivated ( exp. date XX/XX/XXXX ) etc. I am trying to figure out a way to get cash. I can not believe that Santander activated a new card and deactivated the card I currently have with no notice or input from me. I thought it was up to the consumer to activate a new card. The fact that Santander is unwilling to even try to help me is unacceptable. I am sure that I am not the only consumer who has been left stranded without access to their funds while out of the country. How could this possible be legal???? Of course, I am closing my accounts with Santander upon my return home but I think more needs to be done to address this completely irresponsible decision. 
