So, you’ve been hit with an insufficient fund charge, and maybe it’s not your first one. You probably feel embarrassed, or angry that you have this unexpected charge that you have to deal with. However, you don’t need to accept NSF charges in your life.

This post discusses how to dispute an NSF charge and prevent getting hit by them again in the future.

Ask The Bank to Waive an NSF Fee

Receiving an insufficient fund charge can happen for very common and understandable reasons.

Maybe you made an impulse purchase online and accidentally choose your saved debit card when you meant to choose credit. Or maybe you gave a $50 gift as a check but forgot about it amid other unexpected expenses.

We all make mistakes, and if you’re a customer in good standing with your bank they may be willing to waive the fee.

For minor mistakes such as this, as long as you don’t do it frequently, there’s a good chance you can get the bank to waive the NSF charge. Make sure you call the bank as soon as you realize the mistake. Politely explain that you know that the charge is your fault, but as a long-standing customer of the bank, you would appreciate it if they could forgive you this time.

If your NSF fee was a result of a failed regular debit from your account, such as a rent payment, you may not have luck with waiving a fee. However, there are steps you can take to prevent getting hit with an NSF charge in the future.

Automatically Draw Funds From Savings When You Overdraw

If you have a savings account and don’t always remember to top up your checking account, most banks offer a simple solution. You can link your checking and savings account so that when you accidentally overdraw from checking, the required funds will be withdrawn from your savings.

There is usually a fee associated with this transaction, but it is less expensive than an NSF charge and doesn’t damage your credit.

Apply For Overdraft Protection

If you are living paycheck to paycheck and you have recurring expenses such as rent on your debit account, you may want to apply for overdraft protection.

Overdraft protection kicks in if you don’t have enough money in your account to cover a charge. The bank will cover the overdraft payment up to a set amount, and charge you a reduced NSF fee. You will then pay interest on the overdraft until it is paid off, and the bank will automatically take payments from future deposits.

Overdraft protection can be cheaper than taking out short-term loans and are a good option for people with uncertain finances. However, overdrawing from your account should only be used in an emergency, as frequent overdraft fees can have negative consequences on your credit.

Seek Help From a Financial Counsellor

If you’re struggling to manage your credit cards and debts to keep enough money in your checking account, there is help available.

RepairCreditQuick has partnered with the top credit and financial management companies in America to help our clients find the solution that’s right for them. For a free consultation with one of our credit consultants, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today!