More banks are being accused of using procedures and policies to charge NSF fees or insufficient funds fees that are in violation of consumer protection laws. Some banks have been accused of hitting consumers with multiple returned item fees for a single transaction. A returned item fee or NSF fees are leveraged when a bank declines to pay a transaction because the account does not have enough money to cover the transaction. Contact an experienced bank overdraft or NSF Fee Lawsuit lawyer today to find out what you can do to get your money back and learn more about our Class Action Lawsuit investigation.
What is an NSF Returned Item Fee?
An NSF returned item fee, or a non-sufficient fund fee, is a fee assessed by a bank or credit union when a customer attempts to make a purchase despite not having the required amount of money in their account. NSF checks are often referred to as “bounced checks.” Whether you write or receive a bounced check — also called a non-sufficient funds (NSF) check — it will cost you. Write one and you’ll owe your bank an NSF fee of $35, and the recipient of the check is permitted to charge a returned-check fee of between $20 and $40 or a percentage of the check amount.
NSF Fee Lawsuit Investigation
Many customers are at risk for NSF fees if they choose not to opt in to the overdraft protection program. This means that when the consumer tries to charge the account or use a check, the the bank will decline to process the transaction and can charge the consumer directly with NSF fees.
NSF fees are usually charged once per declined transaction. According to some consumers, however, these NSF fees are being mishandled by the banks.
Multiple NSF Fees for Recurring Bill Pay
Consumers allege that these banks are attempting to process transactions multiple times each in order to recover several NSF fees. Every time that a transaction does not post to the account successfully, the bank allegedly adds another NSF fee against the consumer. NSF fees can rack up quickly. Some consumers say that they have had the same charge for insurance, a credit card payment, a gym membership, or other transaction rejected over and over again, leading to multiple NSF fees.
Returned Item Fee Vs. Overdraft Protection
Banks charge current account holders a return item fee of $30 or more when there are insufficient funds in the account to cover a single transaction.
This is different from overdraft protection, which enables banks to allow the draw on the account in exchange for the customer paying an overdraft fee. Insufficient funds fees involve the bank declining the transaction altogether and charging the customer a fee.
NSF Fee Lawsuit Class Action Lawyers: No Costs Involved In The Process
There are no costs involved in the process of filing a bank overdraft lawsuit, according to NSF Fee Lawsuit lawyers. In fact, the NSF Fee Lawsuit Lawyers take care of all the expenses of the case, the filing of the pleadings and the costs associated with retaining experts. Contact an experienced bank overdraft or NSF Fee Lawsuit lawyer today to find out what you can do to get your money back.
