Overdraft Protection & Overdraft Services | Wells Fargo

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Overdraft Services

CA, 94105 Change Location
Wells Fargo offers many services to help avoid overdrafts or declined transactions.

1. Overdraft Rewind®

With this free account feature, when the bank receives your electronic direct deposit by 9:00 am local time, we will automatically include this amount in a reevaluation of the prior day's transactions that resulted in an overdraft or returned item (non-sufficient funds/NSF) fee. The bank will calculate a new balance, which includes your pending direct deposit (less any pending debits) and use this amount to reevaluate the prior day's transactions on your account and waive any fees for transactions that would have been covered by your direct deposit. Learn more

2. Online, Mobile and/or Text Banking Tools

  • Monitor your account activity, transfer funds, and set up a low balance alert.
  • See "Avoiding Overdrafts" below for details.

Consider our optional Overdraft Services:

We offer two overdraft services to help you manage your checking account. Both services are optional and can be added or removed at any time. If you are enrolled in both services, we will first use Overdraft Protection — which has a lower fee — to cover your overdraft. Optional overdraft services, such as Overdraft Protection and Debit Card Overdraft Services, are not available for Clear Access BankingSM accounts.

3. Overdraft Protection

  • You can link up to two eligible accounts (one savings, one credit) to your checking account, and we will use available funds in those linked account(s) to cover your transactions if you don't have enough money in your checking account.
  • A single Overdraft Protection transfer or advance fee will be assessed regardless of the number of transactions covered or whether money is transferred from multiple accounts. You can avoid the fee by making a covering deposit or transfer before the cutoff time on the same business day. The amount of the fee depends on which account the money is transferred from.
  • See "Overdraft Protection" below for details.

 Tip 

View our demo and see how to help avoid overdraft fees.

4. Debit Card Overdraft Service

  • You can choose whether your ATM and everyday (one time) debit card transactions may be approved, at the Bank's discretion, if you don't have enough money in your checking account or in accounts linked for Overdraft Protection at the time of the transaction.
  • If Debit Card Overdraft Service is used to approve a transaction into overdraft, our standard overdraft fee of $35 per item will apply unless a covering deposit or transfer is made before the cut-off time on the same business day.
  • See "Debit Card Overdraft Service" below for details.

You can learn more about these two overdraft options in the sections below or in our Consumer Overdraft Services / Choices to help you manage your checking account (PDF)

Manage Overdraft Services Sign On
Overdraft Services includes Overdraft Protection and Debit Card Overdraft Service.

Overdraft Protection

Eligibility

  • You can link up to two eligible Wells Fargo accounts (one savings and one credit account) to one Wells Fargo checking account for Overdraft Protection. If you link two accounts, you may tell us which account to use first to transfer/advance funds. If you do not specify an order, we will first transfer funds from your linked savings account.
  • If you link a credit card, the credit card must be activated in order for the bank to transfer funds for Overdraft Protection. If the credit card is not activated, no money will transfer to cover the overdraft. Once your credit card has been activated, please allow up to 3 business days for your Overdraft Protection service to be fully enabled. 
  • Overdraft Protection is not available for Clear Access Banking accounts.
  • You can view your eligible accounts by signing onto Online Banking, talking with a branch banker, or calling a phone banker at 1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-869-3557). Portfolio by Wells Fargo customers call 1-800-742-4932 and Business customers call 1-800-CALL-WELLS (1-800-225-5935)

For additional information, please also refer to your specific account type in the Consumer Account Fee and Information Schedule or your Business Account Fee and Information Schedule.

Overdraft Protection Fees

If the bank transfers available funds to cover your transactions, a single Overdraft Protection transfer or advance fee will be assessed regardless of the number of transactions covered or the number of accounts money is transferred from. You can avoid the fee by making a covering deposit or transfer before the cut-off time on the same business day.

The fee depends on which account money is transferred from:

  • Savings account: $12.50; fee assessed to the checking account
  • Credit card: The fee varies based on the amount of the advance; see your Credit Card Agreement for full terms and conditions. The fee is assessed to the credit card.
  • Home Equity Line of Credit: $12.50; see your Credit Agreement for additional information. The fee is assessed to the checking account.
    • Overdraft Protection advances from a credit account accrue interest from the date each advance is made.

Add, Change or Remove Overdraft Protection

You can add, change or remove Overdraft Protection by signing onto Online Banking, talking with a branch banker, or calling a phone banker at 1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-869-3557). Portfolio by Wells Fargo customers call 1-800-742-4932 and Business customers call 1-800-CALL-WELLS (1-800-225-5935).

Debit Card Overdraft Service

Key information

You can choose how Wells Fargo handles your ATM and everyday (one-time) debit card transactions in the event that you don't have enough money in your checking account or in accounts linked for Overdraft Protection at the time of the transaction. The payment of transactions into overdraft is discretionary, and we reserve the right not to pay.

Eligibility

Some Consumer checking accounts are not eligible to enroll in Debit Card Overdraft Service, including Clear Access Banking, Teen CheckingSM and Opportunity Checking® accounts.

Business checking accounts (with the exception of IOLTA, RETA and Government accounts) are automatically enrolled in Debit Card Overdraft Service when the account is opened. Customers can choose to remove this service or re-enroll at any time.

Fee

Our standard overdraft fee of $35 per item will apply if Debit Card Overdraft Service is used to approve a transaction into overdraft and a covering deposit or transfer is not made before the cut-off time on the same business day.

If Debit Card Overdraft Service is not on your checking account and you don't have enough money in your checking account or in accounts linked for Overdraft Protection, ATM and everyday (one-time) debit card transactions will be declined at the time of the transaction. There are no fees for declined transactions.

See "Avoiding Overdrafts" below for Wells Fargo services that can help you manage your account and avoid declined debit card transactions.

Add or Remove Debit Card Overdraft Service

Any account holder with transaction authority on the eligible checking account can add or remove the service by visiting a Wells Fargo ATM (select More Choices, Wells Fargo Services), through Online Banking, talking with a branch banker, or calling a phone banker at 1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-869-3557). Portfolio by Wells Fargo customers call 1-800-742-4932 and Business customers call 1-800-CALL-WELLS (1-800-225-5935).

Avoiding Overdrafts

Consider these services and tips to help you avoid overdrafts.

  • Keep track of your transactions: Record every deposit and withdrawal — including checks, debit card purchases, cash withdrawals, and recurring payments you've set up such as your car payment or gym membership. Visit any Wells Fargo banking location for a free check register.
  • Don’t forget outstanding transactions
    The current available balance provided by the bank may not include all your transactions, such as checks or upcoming automatic payments.
  • Keep a cushion in your account
    By keeping a little extra in your checking account, you can cover any outstanding transactions that don’t yet appear in your available balance and avoid overdrafts.
  • Review your statements: Reconcile bank statements with your records.
  • Use Wells Fargo Online and Wells Fargo Mobile — you can conveniently and securely access and manage your money from your computer, tablet, or mobile device:
    • Mobile Banking— Bank on the go using your mobile device. Monitor account activity, transfer money, and deposit checks using our apps. Learn more about Mobile Banking.
    • Text Banking — Check your available balance before you make a purchase and transfer money between your Wells Fargo accounts. You can quickly request and receive information through text message. Sign up for text banking.
    • Account Alert — Stay informed. Set up a low balance alert to be notified by email, text message, or push notification as soon as your account balance reaches an amount you specify. Sign up to receive account alerts.
    • Wells Fargo Online® with the My Money MapSM service — Stay on track. Review purchases and payments made with your Wells Fargo credit card, debit card, and Bill Pay, and create a budget to manage monthly spending. Learn More about My Money MapSM.

Overdraft FAQs

What is an overdraft?

An overdraft is a negative balance in your account. An overdraft occurs when you spend more money than you have in your checking account and the bank pays your transaction.

Is an overdraft different from a returned item?

Yes. A returned item (also known as a non-sufficient funds (NSF) item) occurs when Wells Fargo returns an item (such as a check or other transaction presented for payment) unpaid because there is not enough money in the account to cover it. Our fee for paying an item into overdraft or for returning a non-sufficient funds (NSF) item is the same.

How much is an overdraft fee or returned item (non-sufficient/NSF funds) fee?

An overdraft or returned item (non-sufficient funds/NSF) fee is $35 per item.

Can I make a deposit or transfer to avoid an overdraft/returned item (non-sufficient funds/NSF) or Overdraft Protection transfer or advance fee?

Yes. You can avoid these fees if you make a covering deposit or transfer before the posted cutoff time on the same business day.

What is the difference between Overdraft Protection and Debit Card Overdraft Service?

Both services are optional and you can sign up for one or both depending on your checking account and how you like to manage your money. You do not need to have Debit Card Overdraft Service in order to have Overdraft Protection.

  • Overdraft Protection uses available funds from your linked account(s) to cover a transaction if there isn’t enough money in your checking account. A single Overdraft Protection transfer or advance fee, regardless of the number of transactions covered that business day, will apply if the bank transfers money to cover a negative balance. This fee varies depending on the type of account the money is transferred from and is less than an overdraft or returned item (non-sufficient funds/NSF) fee.
  • Debit Card Overdraft Service allows the bank to authorize, at its discretion, ATM and everyday (one-time) debit card transactions if there isn’t enough money in your checking account (or in accounts linked for Overdraft Protection) to cover them. An overdraft fee of $35 per item will apply unless a transfer or a covering deposit is made before the posted cut off time on the same business day.

If there is not enough money in the checking account (or accounts linked for Overdraft Protection), checks or recurring bill payments you have pre-authorized (such as a utility or phone bill) using your debit card or checking account (ACH payments) may be returned unpaid or approved into overdraft at the bank’s discretion whether or not you are enrolled in Debit Card Overdraft Service, and our overdraft or returned item (non-sufficient/NSF) fees would apply.

How much does Wells Fargo’s Overdraft Protection cover?

The Bank will transfer the available money from your linked savings account or advance available credit from your linked credit account to your checking account to cover any negative balance. A minimum of $25 (or the exact amount of the negative balance if over $25) will be transferred from your savings account or credit card. See your line of credit agreement for the minimum amount that will be transferred. If there isn’t enough money in the linked account(s) to cover the entire negative balance, only the available money in the linked account(s) will be transferred.

What will happen if I don’t have enough money in my account to cover an ATM or everyday (one-time) debit card transaction and I don’t have Debit Card Overdraft Service?

ATM and everyday (one-time) debit card transactions will be declined at the time of the transaction. There are no fees for ATM and everyday (one-time) debit card transactions that are declined. If a checking account is not enrolled in Debit Card Overdraft Service and an ATM or everyday (one-time) debit card transaction creates a negative balance during posting, an overdraft fee will not be assessed.

Please be aware that checks or recurring bill payments you have pre-authorized (such as a utility or phone bill) using your debit card or checking account (ACH payments) may be returned unpaid or approved into overdraft (at the bank’s discretion) whether or not you are enrolled in Debit Card Overdraft Service and an overdraft or returned item (non-sufficient/NSF) fee would be assessed.

How do I decide which services are right for me?

Review the materials on this site, talk with a local branch banker or call a phone banker at 1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-869-3557). Portfolio by Wells Fargo customers call 1-800-742-4932 and Business customers call 1-800-CALL-WELLS (1-800-225-5935).

How do I add, change or remove Overdraft Protection?

You can add, change or remove Overdraft Protection through Online Banking, a branch banker, or talk to a phone banker at 1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-869-3557). Portfolio by Wells Fargo customers call 1-800-742-4932 and Business customers call 1-800-CALL-WELLS (1-800-225-5935).

How do I add or remove Debit Card Overdraft Service?

You can add or remove Debit Card Overdraft Service at a Wells Fargo ATM (Select More Choices, Wells Fargo Services), through Online Banking, with a branch banker, or talk to a phone banker anytime at 1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-869-3557). Portfolio by Wells Fargo customers call 1-800-742-4932 and Business customers call 1-800-CALL-WELLS (1-800-225-5935). Any account holder with transaction authority can add or remove the service on the checking account.

Are business checking accounts eligible for Debit Card Overdraft Service?

Business checking accounts (with the exception of IOLTA, RETA, and government products) are automatically enrolled in Debit Card Overdraft Service when the account is opened. Business customers can remove or re-enroll in this service at any time at a Wells Fargo ATM (Select More Choices, Wells Fargo Services), through Online Banking, with a branch banker, or by talking to a phone banker at 1-800-CALL-WELLS (1-800-225-5935). Any account holder with transaction authority can add or remove the service on the checking account.

Does Wells Fargo guarantee my ATM and everyday (one-time) debit card transactions will be approved with Debit Card Overdraft Service?

No. The payment of any transaction into overdraft remains a discretionary decision of Wells Fargo and we reserve the right not to pay. For example, we typically do not pay these items if your account is not in good standing or if you have had excessive overdrafts.

What overdraft settings apply to my Clear Access Banking account?

Our standard overdraft coverage does not apply to Clear Access Banking accounts, and you cannot request that it be added to your account. With Clear Access Banking, if you do not have available funds in your account at the time of a transaction, we will:

  • Return certain payments (such as ACH payments) unpaid.
  • Not authorize ATM and everyday (one-time) debit card transactions into overdraft.
  • Not authorize other transactions (such as recurring debit card transactions or Bill Pay transactions) into overdraft.

We will not assess non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees if we return or decline to authorize an item. However, payees or merchants may still assess a fee. Other optional overdraft services, such as Overdraft Protection and Debit Card Overdraft Service, are also not available on this account. References in your Deposit Account Agreement and Consumer Fee and Information Schedule to standard overdraft coverage, Overdraft Protection, and Debit Card Overdraft Service, including associated overdraft and non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees, are not applicable to Clear Access Banking accounts.

This balance may not reflect all of your transactions, such as checks you have written or debit card transactions that have been approved but not yet submitted for payment by the merchant.