A survey conducted by ING Direct finds that overdraft fees are not perceived by consumers as negatively as ATM fees.
According to ING, more than 26 percent of the Americans surveyed say they are more angered by ATM fees than they are overdraft fees. Only 24 percent said they were more bothered by overdraft fees.
Despite the frustration with ATM fees, 20 percent of Americans surveyed said they are charged a fee at least once a month for using an ATM not affiliated with their banks' networks. Of those, 59 percent said they pay, on average, $2 or more in ATM fees when they withdraw money. The median ATM withdrawl, according to the survey, is $40.
About two-thirds (67 percent) of the Americans who have been charged an ATM fee blame banks for "nickel and diming," while just 33 percent blame themselves for "poor planning," the survey found.
The national online survey was conducted Oct. 5 through Oct. 7 within the United States by Harris Interactive. Of the 2,046 adults surveyed, 1,462 said they are regular ATM users.
