If you hate being charged a fee to access your own money -- you're not alone. A recent poll found 65 per cent of Canadians say they're paying more attention to the service fees being charged by the banks. The trouble is -- many banking fees are hidden so it's hard to shop around for the best deal

"They are digging into my pockets and I don't like it," complained Mark Hendren after he got a letter from his bank.

"(It was) notifying me that my existing account was being discontinued and they were goign to recommend a new account for me," he said.

That new account came with new higher fees: going from $6 a month to $10.95.

"First I was shocked and then I was outraged," he said. "Because I thought 'what business or bank or government can increase their rates for long term loyal customer overnight at more than 80 per cent?'"

His bank, RBC says it reviews accounts and fees annually-- and they may go up or down.

We asked the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada if banks were allowed to increase rates and the short answer is yes -- as long as they give you proper notice

"This is really a business practices and in the current regulatory framework business practices are not regulated," explains Martine Belanger, FCAC spokesperson.

So what can a customer do?

See if there are other, cheaper, accounts at your bank. Change your banking habits, such as how much you use your debit card, to lower your costs or shop around to other institutions.

That sounds complicated and time consuming but actually it's as easy as a click of a mouse.

At moneytools.ca, run by the FCAC, you can compare banking packages.

"They only have to answer a few questions and then the tools provide them with a list that best fit their banking profiles," explained Belanger.

Mark punched up the website and answered the questions about his normal banking habits and found a similar account to the one he has now for just $ 5 a month at Coast Capital Savings.

"I think that is a better deal. I'm paying $10.95 right now and it's $5!" he said. "That is pretty good, how does the Royal Bank compete with that?"

Mark is planning to call Coast Capital to find out more. His advice to the big bank he currently deals with.

"I think that the Royal Bank should be doing what every other competitive business would do and that's match it or beat it, that's what I think," he concluded.

Before you switch to a new financial institution, double check the fees you find on Moneytools because - fees can change at any time. And you might even find a cheaper account at your own bank.