Dear Harry: We are in tough economic times, but our banks are not helping. I just had a notice of an overdraft on my checking account for 76 cents. That's right, under a dollar. The bank hit me for a $70 overdraft fee! I have been a depositor with this bank at my local branch for more than 20 years. They did not even give me the courtesy of a phone call. I'm just glad that they didn't bounce any of my checks. When I went to the bank manager to protest, I got a very cold response that it was the bank's policy, and there was nothing she could do about it. She indicated that the best way to protest is to move my account to another bank. Can't I get them to reverse that charge, or at least reduce it?

What Harry says: What a terrible public-relations scene they have created. You can lodge a protest with the Pennsylvania Department of Banking at 800-PA-BANKS, but there probably isn't much that they can do. I feel certain that you were notified of the amount of the charge somewhere in the bank's correspondence with you. There are many banks that are less greedy in their charges for overdrafts, especially when they are under a dollar. Bank of America raised its rate to $39 on an overdraft, but almost immediately pulled it back to its original $35. There are banks that charge even less. Some won't charge at all for minor overdrafts of under $10. *

Write Harry Gross c/o the Daily News, 400 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19130. Harry urges all his readers to give blood - contact the American Red Cross at 800-GIVE LIFE.