Bank of America, Wachovia, U.S. Bancorp and Chase are now charging noncustomers $3 to withdraw cash from many of their automated tellers.

That's a full dollar more than the previous standard fee of $2 and a great reason to avoid ATMs that don't belong to your bank.

A smarter way to get cash is to buy something small but essential at a store and ask for cash back. Most retailers will provide up to $50.

You should absolutely not be paying a transaction fee for using a debit card to make a purchase or withdraw cash from your banks ATMs.

Yet a recent survey found seven out of 100 banks still impose such charges.

If your bank is one of them, demand that those fees be dropped. If it refuses, move your checking account to another bank or credit union.

Click here to see all the money-saving advice in our smart owner's guide to debit cards.