So once again, it pays to keep your eyes peeled when you choose an ATM machine. They're forcing people to pay not once but twice for getting a single service and that single service is getting access to your own money. Ask for cash back Another way to avoid both surcharges and off-us fees is to ask for cash back when you use your ATM card at a grocery store. This service is free at many stores. People who want to see ATM surcharges eliminated altogether should take a stand, says Sorkin.
Few banks are worried about losing customers over surcharges now.
In fact, it's just the opposite. Banks that surcharge figure people will get sick of paying the fees and decide to become bank customers so they can use the ATMs for free. All this fury over ATM surcharges has not been lost on the folks in Washington. Sanders also plans to introduce a bill that would affirm the authority of city and state governments to ban ATM surcharges. And if Congress won't stand up to the Big Money interests, they should get out of the way and let the states and municipalities do the job.