I am self employed and havent been doing it for long. I took a check from client and put it in my bank to pay the fees. Well I paid the fee and had a few dollars left over from what my bank was telling me. The bank charged me $66 plus $8 for the bad check the omen had gave me. It ended up putting me in the hole for about $100. This made me angry. I never go over on my bank account because I don't want my credit or anything messed up. Most companies charge a return check fee and I was wondering if there was a limit to how much I charge for the returned check as long as I show this person proof of what was done.

Generally if this is regulated, it is at your state level and the state law will dictate what signage or notice you are required to provide to your customer in the event there is a returned check, so you can charge an additional fee to your customer. There is generally no correlation between what you charge your customer, and what your bank can charge you. These are different fees. Your fees with your bank are disclosed to you in a fee schedule and/or deposit agreement. I'm not sure if $66 was the fee amount, or the check amount. If it is the former, that seems high based on my market.

The bank I was using instituted a new policy of charging a return fee if the deposit was made the same day as the charge came through. I changed to another bank that doesn't have this charge. This seems so wrong - the money is there. So if we get paid on Friday and put it in, we can't use it till Monday. Do I have a valid point, especially if only some banks can steal your money this way? I want to complain to the bank's bosses, so who are they? Is it just the FDIC?

Thank You, Shelley

If the bank is processing in real time I can see the fee. Generally deposits are posted after the close of business, before debits. But the bottom line is, don't count on money that isn't in your account.

In this case you voted with your wallet and moved banks. That is absolutely fine. You should let the old bank know that is why you moved, if you haven't already.

You have to ask the bank who their regulator is and direct your complaint there. It may be the FDIC or it could be the OCC, FRB, OTS or another regulator. Your bank should be able to tell you where to direct any complaint.

Or you can use the Bank Find tool on the FDIC's website, at http://www4.fdic.gov/IDASP/main_bankfind.asp

Bank Find will tell you who the primary federal regulator for your bank is.