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Mitchel holds a Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance from The Goizeta School of Business at Emory University and a Masters of Business Administration from The Haas School of Business at The University of California.
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Updated July 2026.
Short answer: TOT ODP SWP DR MEMO on a Chase statement means Chase moved money out of your savings (a debit) into linked checking to cover an overdraft under Overdraft Protection. It is usually not fraud. The twin credit on checking is often labeled TOT ODP SWP CR MEMO.
If your Chase balance suddenly shows $0 or goes negative and you see this code, you still may owe a $34 overdraft fee (up to three per business day) unless Overdraft Assist or a same-window deposit brings you back within Chase’s rules. This guide decodes the acronym, shows DR vs CR, and walks through what to do before the fee sticks.
What does TOT ODP SWP DR MEMO mean?
TOT ODP SWP DR MEMO means money was automatically swept from your Chase savings account to a linked checking account to cover (or reduce) a pending overdraft. You will often see a matching credit on checking. That checking-side code is covered here: TOT ODP SWP CR MEMO. Related wording also shows up as an ODP transfer to checking.
| Code | Plain-English meaning |
|---|---|
| TOT | Temporary Overdraft Transaction |
| ODP | Overdraft Protection (linked savings backup) |
| SWP | Sweep (bank move between accounts) |
| DR | Debit (money left this account) |
| CR | Credit (money entered this account) |
| MEMO | Memo / description line on the statement |
TOT ODP SWP DR MEMO vs CR MEMO
| Question | DR MEMO | CR MEMO |
|---|---|---|
| Where you see it | Usually savings | Usually checking |
| What happened | Funds left savings | Funds entered checking |
| Should you panic? | Not fraud by itself | Not fraud by itself |
| Fee risk | Sweep itself is typically free; OD fees can still hit checking | Same fee risk lives on the checking side |
| Deep dive | This page | CR memo guide |
Statement formatting varies: TOT ODP SWP DR MEMO, TOT ODP/SWP DR MEMO, TOT ODPSWP DR MEMO, or TOT ODPISWP DR MEMO. Same idea.
Why is Chase making these overdraft transactions?
Many Chase checking accounts can enroll in Overdraft Protection that links checking to a Chase savings account. Enrollment is free, and Chase says there is no fee for the protection transfer itself when savings covers the shortfall.
When a debit card purchase, bill pay, or check would overdraw checking (within Chase’s discretionary limits), Chase may:
- Pay the item on checking,
- Sweep available savings into checking to cover or reduce the shortfall,
- Post DR MEMO on savings and CR MEMO on checking.
ATM cash withdrawals are generally not eligible for Overdraft Protection the same way everyday debits and checks can be. Chase still decides whether to pay items under Standard Overdraft Practice based on account history and other factors.
How much can TOT ODP SWP DR MEMO cost you?
The savings sweep memo is typically not the bill. The bill is the Chase overdraft fee if checking stays too far underwater after nightly processing:
- $34 Overdraft Fee per qualifying transaction
- Max 3 fees per business day ($102)
- No Overdraft Fee for transactions of $5 or less
- No Overdraft Fee if you are overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day (Chase Overdraft Assist)
If savings fully covers the shortfall, you may avoid the $34 fee for that item. If savings only partly covers it and checking ends the day overdrawn by more than $50, fees can still apply.
What to do if you see TOT ODP SWP DR MEMO today
- Confirm both sides. Find the savings DR memo and the checking CR memo (or ODP transfer). Note the dollar amount and time.
- Check your true available balance. Pending holds and deposits that are not yet available can still leave you overdrawn for fee purposes.
- Move money before the Assist deadline. Branch/ATM deposit, mobile check deposit, or an incoming transfer that posts in time. Aim to get overdrawn by $50 or less by the next-business-day cutoff if you already ended the prior day deeper than $50.
- Turn on low-balance alerts. Chase can text/email when you are close to $0 so the next sweep is not a surprise.
- Decide on Overdraft Protection settings. Keep the savings link, switch Debit Card Coverage, or opt out if you prefer declines over fees. See Chase’s overdraft settings pages linked below.
Need a small bridge while you wait on a deposit?
Need cash before the cutoff? Eligible users can check a cash advance app while keeping Chase settings in mind.
How to avoid future TOT ODP SWP DR MEMO fees
- Keep a checking cushion above your usual bill stack.
- Set Chase alerts for low balances and large upcoming payments (Chase alerts).
- Review Debit Card Coverage so everyday debit purchases are declined instead of paid into overdraft if that fits you better (Debit Card Coverage).
- Consider opting out of paid overdrafts if you would rather see declines than $34 fees (overdraft preferences).
- Use a backup cash source for true emergencies instead of stacking OD fees. Compare options in the cash advance directory.
Cash buffer options if you are short today
If a $34 (or $102) fee is the alternative, a small cash advance can be cheaper if you qualify and repay on your next paycheck. Two affiliate options we cover:
- Albert Instant: cash advances with no monthly subscription required for Instant Advance; limits depend on eligibility (few qualify for the maximum). Get Albert
- Cleo: advances up to $250 for eligible users, with express fees if you need same-day delivery. Get Cleo
Cash advances are not free money. Compare fees in our directory before you borrow just to dodge a bank fee.
FAQ: TOT ODP SWP DR MEMO
What is TOT ODP SWP DR MEMO on Chase?
It is Chase’s memo for a Temporary Overdraft Protection sweep debit, usually from savings into checking, to cover or reduce an overdraft.
Is TOT ODP SWP DR MEMO a scam or fraud?
Usually no. It is a bank-generated memo for an automatic transfer you authorized by linking accounts for Overdraft Protection. Still verify the amount matches what left savings.
What is the difference between DR MEMO and CR MEMO?
DR means debit (out). CR means credit (in). Same sweep, opposite sides. See the comparison table above and the CR memo article.
Does TOT ODP SWP DR MEMO mean I was charged an overdraft fee?
Not by itself. The memo marks the savings sweep. A separate $34 Overdraft Fee can still post on checking if you remain overdrawn beyond Chase’s Assist rules.
How do I stop Chase from doing ODP sweeps?
Change overdraft preferences in Chase (opt out of paid overdrafts and/or adjust Debit Card Coverage), or unlink savings from Overdraft Protection. Declines may replace paid overdrafts.
What does pending TOT ODP SWP DR MEMO mean?
The sweep is in process or waiting on nightly posting. Balances can look wrong until Chase finishes end-of-day processing. Recheck after the next business day’s cutoff.
What if I see tot odp/swp or tot odpswp instead?
Those are formatting variants of the same Overdraft Protection sweep memo. Treat them like TOT ODP SWP DR/CR MEMO.
Can I get the fee reversed?
Sometimes. Call Chase, explain the situation, and ask for a one-time courtesy refund if you are a long-time customer or the fee stacked unexpectedly. There is no guarantee.
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Related Chase ODP guides
- TOT ODP SWP CR MEMO (checking-side credit)
- ODP transfer to checking
- Chase overdraft fee limits and protection
- Cash advance directory
Mitchel holds a Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance from The Goizeta School of Business at Emory University and a Masters of Business Administration from The Haas School of Business at The University of California.
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