15 most hated fees
Stand up to the pesky charges -- from checked-bag costs to retirement plan expenses -- that bug you the most.
3. Forking over new charges for overdrafts
What it costs: $
What you're mad about: Often banks allow you to link a savings account to your checking account so that funds can be pulled from the former if you overdraw the latter. This workaround can help you avoid nonsufficient-funds fees, now averaging $30, according to Bankrate.com. But many banks have found a workaround for your workaround: They'll charge you $10 to $20 every time they transfer your money between the accounts. Meanwhile, it costs the bank next to nothing to move the funds, says Bryan Derman of Glenbrook Partners, a financial services consulting firm. "They're charging you for what's essentially an automatic transfer!" echoes reader Zoe Dowling, whose bank (Wells Fargo) levies the fee.
How to fight back: Sign up on your bank's website or Mint.com for e-mail or text-message alerts that tell you when your checking account balance is below a certain amount. That way, you can make transfers for free yourself before an overdraft is triggered.
NEXT: Paying to use your frequent-flier miles
What you're mad about: Often banks allow you to link a savings account to your checking account so that funds can be pulled from the former if you overdraw the latter. This workaround can help you avoid nonsufficient-funds fees, now averaging $30, according to Bankrate.com. But many banks have found a workaround for your workaround: They'll charge you $10 to $20 every time they transfer your money between the accounts. Meanwhile, it costs the bank next to nothing to move the funds, says Bryan Derman of Glenbrook Partners, a financial services consulting firm. "They're charging you for what's essentially an automatic transfer!" echoes reader Zoe Dowling, whose bank (Wells Fargo) levies the fee.
How to fight back: Sign up on your bank's website or Mint.com for e-mail or text-message alerts that tell you when your checking account balance is below a certain amount. That way, you can make transfers for free yourself before an overdraft is triggered.
NEXT: Paying to use your frequent-flier miles
Last updated June 11 2010: 3:40 PM ET
