How can you get out of paying overdraft charges?

Answer 1

You can call the bank up and ask them to remove it. If its the first or second time (which is pushing it) they will usually remove it for you. It can't be blatant though, you have to make it at least seem like an oversight. In most cases, at least these days, you generally overdraft because you forget about something that you've linked to your account. In which case, they may try to retrieve money from your account at a time when you have nothing in it. If I were you I'd open up at least two checking accounts. One where you put your spending money, and one where you put you bill money. It would probably be helpful to add five dollars to whatever bill is to be debited from your account. This way, you'll have a bit of a built overdraft protection in your account. If you have a debit/check card, set your spending account as your primary account. This way you don't spend your bill money and come up short, and then incur overdraft fees. I've learned my lesson because of an ez pass that I have linked to my card. Generally, unless it was the bank's error that caused the overdraft, they won't waive the fee. You can always ask though. The best thing to do in this world where overdrafts are rarely bank error, is to set up an overdraft account. This is a savings account linked to your checking account. You may still pay a transfer fee, but then you don't have the other fees. Also, be aware that there is such a thing called "good funds" these days. That means that you should expect any check or ATM transaction to be debited immediately from your account. There is no float in thinking there will be a delay if you postdate a check either. In addition, be sure to choose a bank that makes funds from deposited paychecks available immediately. -- Dont overdraw your account, and if you do remember the bank may refund it once as a courtesy. It is not the banks fault, there is no need to yell at the tellers __________ I accidentally had an overdraft today with TD Banknorth, as someone cashed a check I had written 5 months ago, and I made the mistake of assuming that they had cashed it. I called and explained the situation, and they refunded the overdraw. No hassle. It was awesome.