In the last few years, banks have received national attention for a number of unfair practices, from questionable NSF fees and overdraft charges for recurring payments to charging improper ATM fees in violation of the Electronic Fund Transfer Act.
If you were charged ATM fees when you withdrew money, checked your account balance, or deposited money at an ATM, you may have a legal claim.
ATMs are a convenient way for consumers to access money from their bank accounts any time of day without having to enter a bank. Although they are a convenient way to get cash, many consumers are finding that they are faced with unexpected ATM fees when they use an out-of-network ATM, which may be a violation of the law.
The Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) governs ATM transactions and requires ATM operators to provide notice that ATM fees will be charged when a customer withdraws or deposits money. Financial institutions that break the laws established by the EFTA may be liable for damages.
If you were charged ATM fees without notification when you used an ATM machine, you may qualify to join this ATM fees class action lawsuit investigation.
See if you qualify by contacting Shamis & Gentile, P.A. today and submit your information here.
What Are ATM Fees?
ATM fees are one type of fee that a bank can charge. Generally, banks will charge ATM fees when a customer uses an ATM that’s outside of their network or if the ATM belongs to a different bank.
ATM fees may be imposed for all types of transactions, not just withdrawals. Banks may charge ATM fees when customers make deposits or balance inquiries at ATMs that are not within their network.
Out-of-network ATM transactions may actually lead to two separate ATM fees. The first will be a surcharge by your bank for using an ATM that is out of its network. The ATM operator may also charge a fee, which usually will be disclosed as a pop-up on the screen before you complete your transaction. Travelers who withdraw money from an ATM in a different country may also be faced with a foreign transaction fee.
The best way to avoid ATM fees is to use an ATM that is operated within your bank’s network.
Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to locate an ATM that’s within your bank’s network when you need cash right away. Bank ATMs generally have lower fees than ATMs that are not operated by banks.
How Can The Electronic Fund Transfer Act Help?
The Electronic Fund Transfer Act, or EFTA, was implemented in 1979 as a way to protect consumers who manage their finances through electronic means.
Under the EFTA, electronic fund transfers are defined as transactions that rely on phones, computers or magnetic strips to authorize a financial institution to withdraw money from or deposit money into a customer’s account. Direct deposits, debit cards, point of sale transactions, ATMs, and transfers initiated by phones are covered by the EFTA.
The EFTA provides consumers with the ability to challenge errors and have any errors addressed within 45 days. The law also requires that ATM fees are disclosed at the time of the fund transfer.
If a financial institution is notified about an error and they fail to correct the error or credit money back when necessary, they may be liable for damages. Consumers can take legal action under the EFTA and seek compensation for their losses as well as potential punitive damages against the financial institution for imposing illegal bank fees.
Contact Shamis & Gentile, P.A. If You Were Charged ATM Fees Without Proper Notification
If you were charged ATM fees without proper notification, you may have a legal claim. Taking legal action against a financial institution who charged illegal bank fees will help to hold the bank accountable for wrongdoing and potentially secure compensation for consumers who have been charged improper ATM fees.
If you were charged ATM fees without notification when you used an ATM machine, you may qualify to join this ATM fees class action lawsuit investigation.
See if you qualify by contacting Shamis & Gentile, P.A. today and submit your information here.