By Tim MaxwellHow to Get Overdraft Fees Refunded
Quick Answer
Getting overdraft fees refunded is only a phone call or email away. Contacting customer service and requesting a waiver is both the simplest and most effective way of waiving expensive overdraft fees.
Even if you're the most meticulous budgeter, you can still overdraw your checking account. It could be as simple as an annual account fee or a recurring subscription you forgot about. Or maybe your paycheck deposits a day or two later than usual.
No matter the reason, when you spend more than your available balance, you could face an overdraft fee. Even worse, multiple fees could rack up fast if several payments process all at once. Fortunately, you can often get fees reversed. Contacting customer service and requesting a waiver is the easiest way to get overdraft fees refunded.
What Is an Overdraft Fee?
An overdraft fee is a charge a bank adds when it allows a transaction to clear even though there isn't enough money in your account. These fees can range from $15 to $37 per transaction, which can add up quickly if multiple transactions post while your account is overdrawn. Some banks may also charge continuous overdraft fees for each day your account remains overdrawn.
Fortunately, overcharging your account doesn't always trigger an overdraft fee if certain conditions are met. For example, some banks don't charge an overdraft fee if your account is short by less than $50. And even if your deficit exceeds $50, you may avoid the fee as long as you bring your account balance below that amount by the end of the next business day.
If you get an overdraft fee, try to bring your account current as soon as possible to avoid further fees or other actions by the bank. If the negative balance isn't resolved, the bank could close your account and turn the outstanding debt over to a collection agency, which could hurt your credit score.
Tip: In December 2024, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a rule that would have capped overdraft fees at large banks to $5. However, Congress rescinded the rule in April 2025, so banks can continue to charge high fees for overdrafts.
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How to Get Overdraft Fees Waived
It's possible to get overdraft fees waived at many financial institutions, though it may depend on your bank and account history. Follow these steps to get a refund for overdraft fees:
- Ask for a refund. Sometimes, the best solutions are the most straightforward. Contact your bank's customer support department or speak with a bank teller directly to request a refund. Explain what caused your account to overdraft, such as a delayed deposit or an automatic payment that cleared earlier than expected. Your bank may be willing to reverse the fee if you have a history of responsible banking.
- Escalate your request if necessary. If a customer service agent claims they have no authority to waive an overdraft fee, ask to speak with a supervisor or manager who does.
- Don't be afraid to switch banks. If your bank is unwilling to waive the fee, consider switching to another bank, especially if you've had other issues with your current one. You may find a bank with a less stringent overdraft fee policy or, better yet, one that doesn't charge overdraft fees at all.
It's worth noting that banks and credit unions can't charge an overdraft fee for a one-time debit card transaction or ATM withdrawal unless you've opted in to overdraft protection. (They can, however, charge a nonsufficent funds fee, and the merchant can charge a returned item fee for declined payments.) If you haven't opted in and you're charged an overdraft fee for a debit transaction or withdrawal, you could file a complaint with the CFPB.
How Much Is an Overdraft Fee?
According to 2025 data from economic research firm Moebs Services, overdraft fees cost $18.66 on average. You may incur lower or higher overdraft fees depending on your bank or credit union. Here's a quick sampling of overdraft fees at well-known banks, credit unions and online banks:
- Alliant Credit Union: No overdraft fees
- Ally Bank: No overdraft fees
- Axos: No overdraft fee
- Capital One: No overdraft fee
- Chase: $34 per charge if your account is overdrawn more than $50 at the end of the business day
- Citi: No overdraft fees
- Navy Federal Credit Union: $20 overdraft fee when it pays an overdraft, unless the transaction is $20 or less or if the account balance remains less than $50 overdrawn after all transactions post
- U.S. Bank: $36 overdraft fee when a transaction over $5 leaves your account more than $50 overdrawn (up to three per day). There's no fee for transactions under $5 or negative balances under $50.
- Wells Fargo: $35 overdraft fee for consumer checking accounts but doesn't apply to Clear Access Banking accounts
Tip: If overdraft fees are an issue with your bank, you might explore credit unions and online checking accounts for more affordable options. Some credit unions offer lower overdraft fees, or none at all, because they're member-owned, not-for-profit institutions. Similarly, many online banks also don't charge overdraft fees. They tend to carry less overhead than large brick-and-mortar banks, and can pass on some of the savings to their customers.
How to Avoid Overdraft Fees
As mentioned, asking your bank to waive an overdraft fee is a simple and direct way to wipe out these expensive charges. If you'd like to avoid overdraft charges in the first place, follow these tips:
- Monitor your checking account balance. It's easier to overdraw your account when you're not sure of your balance, so check it regularly, perhaps even daily. Remember to account for automatic scheduled payments that could leave your account underfunded so you can avoid unnecessary fees.
- Sign up for alerts. Stay on top of your balance by setting up bank account alerts that let you know when your account balance falls below a specific threshold. Some merchants may allow you to enable alerts that notify you before an automatic payment is about to be charged.
- Choose a fee-friendly bank. Another easy way to avoid overdraft fees is to open a checking account at a bank that doesn't charge them. But before switching banks, compare other bank fees, including returned check fees and monthly maintenance fees, to make sure you're actually saving money.
- Opt out of overdraft protection. Federal regulations allow you to opt out of overdraft protection at any time. Without overdraft protection, your debit card may be declined if there isn't enough money in your account to cover a transaction, and you won't incur an overdraft fee.
- Use overdraft protection with free linked transfers. Check to see if your bank allows you to link another account to your checking account to help avoid overdrafts. You may be able to connect a checking account, savings account, credit card or line of credit to automatically transfer funds and avoid overdraft fees.
Learn more: Ways to Avoid Overdraft Fees
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bottom Line
If your bank charges you an overdraft fee, don't despair. You may be able to get the fee refunded just by restoring your account balance during your bank's grace period. Or you can contact your bank and simply ask for them to waive the fee, which they may grant if you've been a loyal customer. Of course, you can always switch to a bank that doesn't charge overdraft fees. But if you don't want to change banks entirely, consider opening a separate checking account and using multiple accounts for dedicated purposes. For example, some digital checking accounts don't charge overdraft fees and instead decline transactions when funds aren't available. This type of account may help to limit fees for bill payments and everyday spending, while a separate local account can still provide easy access to cash and in-person service.
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About the author
Tim Maxwell
Tim Maxwell is a former television news journalist turned personal finance writer and credit card expert with over two decades of media experience. His work has been published in Bankrate, Fox Business, Washington Post, USA Today, The Balance, MarketWatch and others. He is also the founder of the personal finance website Incomist.
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