They’re the worst deals in New York City. It’s $3.50 to use the ATM at the Novotel hotel in Midtown.
The nearest ATM to Peter Luger’s cash-only steakhouse in Williamsburg is $3.99. A Chase branch on Wall Street charges $3.
“It’s outrageous,” said Connecticut resident Peter Harris, 51. He and his wife, Brenda, were Christmas shopping in New York City and had just paid $3 to withdraw money at a Bank of America ATM in Grand Central.
And that’s before your bank tacks on its own fees.
“So in addition to this $3, I’ll also probably be charged at least $2 from my bank,” said Brenda. “So that’s $5 just to get my money.” At that rate it would be a 25 percent charge on a $20 withdrawal.
In the midst of a waning recession and the holiday shopping rush, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer said yesterday that bank fees should be the last thing hurting consumers. Schumer called for a crackdown on banks that gouge customers at the ATM. Nearly three-quarters of all banks charge customers for using another bank’s ATMs.
“I’m calling on them to focus specifically on this double-dipping practice,” the Democratic senator said.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bern last week promised a review of hikes in ATM fees in response to requests from Schumer.
