ATM fees add up quickly

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Attention all ATM users!

It's a familiar scenario. You go to an ATM and it asks if you'll accept this $2 charge. Reluctantly you do. Well, after a while it can really add up. In just a couple of years, Americans have spent $4 billion on these fees.

Let's break it down to the individual transaction. When you use an out of network ATM you're not only paying the fee to the ATM's bank, it's also to your bank. The average ATM fee is $4 a transaction.

One of the ways to avoid these fees is to bank online. Banks that are strictly online that don't have stores you can go to, often times will reimburse you for your ATM fees because of the fact that they don't have ATMs.

But check your statement to make sure it's been done.

Also, be sure to say yes when you go to a store and use your debit card and the clerk asks you if you want cash back. There is no fee when they give that money to you.

Finally, use a checking account through a brokerage firm. Fidelity, Schwab, these are some companies that if you have an IRA or retirement account with them, they will give you a checking account that's free and also reimburse your ATM fees. So check with your brokerage firm to see if they offer this.

When in doubt, there's an App for that. Mobile Allpoint App is free. Blackberry's, iPhones they all have it. You can use it to find a free ATM in your area.