How to Overdraft Your Bank Account

Overdrawing your checking account results in fees as high as $35 per overdraft. An overdraft occurs when you make a purchase—using a debit card or a check—for more money than your checking account currently has in it. When you do this, your financial institution may chip in the rest of the money required to make the purchase but charge you a fee. Overdrawing your account can result in a pile of fees quickly.

Use your debit card for purchases. If the purchase exceeds the amount of money in your checking account you will overdraw your account. For example, making a $50 purchase with your debit card when your checking account has only $30 may result in an overdraft.

Use your debit card to withdraw money. Withdrawing more money than your checking account holds results in an overdraft.

Write a check for more money than your checking account can supply. If you write a check for $60 and your checking account has only $55 in it, you will overdraw your account. Your financial institution may charge an overdraft fee.