SEATTLE -- U.S. banks collected $28 billion in overdraft fees last year. That's up 35 percent from 2006.

Why so much in fees? Consumer groups blame a banking system that lets you spend money you don't have, then socks you for the mistake.

Banks blame consumers who just don't keep close tabs on how much money is in their checking account.

When you go to an ATM to withdraw cash or go to the store to buy a few groceries, you might think the bank would block the transaction if you didn't have enough money in your account. In most cases, the banks lets you overdraw the account, then charges you a sizable fee.

"You may find yourself hit with $30 or $35 fees every time that happens on the same day. That's unfair. That's unreasonable," said consumer advocate Ruth Susswein with Consumer Action. "We believe that there should be overdraft protection, but it should be optional. It should be something the consumer chooses, not the bank provides for you as a service that ends up being a great profit center for the bank instead."

The bankers tell me they do this for the convenience of consumers, so they don't get embarrassed when they're making a purchase. But that's not the whole story, according to Susswein.

"It is a convenience to people, but if I'm buying a cup of coffee, I don't really want to spend $34 for it. And so I think it's a convenient excuse that it's a convenience."

Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., has introduced a bill that would, among other things, prohibit banks from making expensive overdraft protection automatic.

"This bill would bring sunshine and permission into the process restricting deceptive practices and empowering consumers to manage their own lives on their own financial accounts," she said.

If passed, this bill would also require a bank to alert you when you're about to make a debit card transaction that you're about to overdraw. You'd be given the choice -- proceed and pay the fee or cancel the transaction.

We will be following this issue for you. In the meantime, check with your bank or credit union and see if you have automatic overdraft protection. It's a lot cheaper to tie your checking account to a savings or credit card account should you wind up over drawing.

Check your account online or use an old-fashioned check register to keep track of how much is in your account. And if more than one person has a debit card on the same account, you need to coordinate your purchases.