We've gotten far enough along in the project that we have some suggestions for what do if you're fed up with the way your bank has been treating you:

1.  Call your bank or credit union and tell them you don't want to be in their overdraft protection program.  Alternatives are lines of credit, a linked savings account, or having your debit card quit working when the money runs out. 

2.  Take your bank to small claims court.  Check out this primer on MSN: "How to beat Big Business in small claims court".  It worked for me!

3.  Call or email your representative and ask them to support House Resolution 946 .  Cosponsored by Carolyn Maloney and Barney Frank, this bill would significantly change for the better the way that banks manage their so-called "Overdraft Protection" programs.

4.  .  Call the Comptroller of the Currency's Customer Customer Assistance Group at 800-613-6743.  Not only might you get your money refunded, but these are some of the people who regulate the banks; the more complaints they hear, the more likely it is that they might change their regulations to protect consumers.

5. Write a letter to the CEO of your bank.  This advice comes from a retired senior VP at Bank of America.  She says to not waste time with the low-level people, to write straight to the CEO; she say that these letters actually get noticed.