How to Get Refunds from Overdraft Fees

Overdraft fees are very costly and annoying, and are a product of an inaccurate check book register. The mere high cost of this fee should keep us from incurring it, but unfortunately, mistakes do happen, and more so for the less organized. However, there are ways to have them refunded. I will go over the steps needed in order to have the best chance of this happening.

Things You'll Need

• Organization
• Manners

Instructions

1. -- Bank Mistake --

   If there was a bank mistake somewhere, and it led to overdraft fees, they will refund all of them. If for some reason they don't, then maybe you need to start looking for another bank.

2. 

   -- Show Good Records --

   The better your records, the better chance you have of the bank giving a refund. There is a difference between somebody who tries to keep their ledger balanced and someone who just calls or checks the atm for their balance. The organized have more grace in the banking industry. So if you are not organized, it would behoove you to start now.

3. 

   -- Do Not Get Angry --

   This is an important one, since most people think that the angrier you get, the better your chances at refunds. This is a misconception. The decision to refund you is usually solely up to the customer service representative or branch manager, so if you come in huffing and puffing, you will not end up on the good side of the deal. Sure you can threaten to close your account, but more than likely you will end up closing your account without a single fee refunded if you handle it in that manner. If it was an honest mistake you made in your records, and you explain your situation, you are much more likely to have a good outcome.

4. -- First Time Fees --

   If you have overdrawn for the first time, or if it has been over a year since the last overdraft, the bank will usually give you a refund on that fee just for asking. Because you show responsibility with your account, you will be rewarded.

Tips & Warnings

• The more organized you are, the less and less this will happen. I hope after it happens to you once, or before it does at all, you decide to keep your check register balanced.

• The more often you let this happen, the less of a chance you have of them being refunded. Disorganization with an account makes it more likely overdrafts will occur, and continuation with this habit is unacceptable.