Zions Bank's overdraft policies and practices are being challenged in a Utah federal class action lawsuit.

Filed this week in Salt Lake City's U.S. District Court, the lawsuit contends the bank makes it difficult - if not impossible - for customers to avoid fees, even if they closely monitor accounts.

The Deseret News of Salt Lake City reports the lawsuit was filed by three law firms on behalf of a Sandy woman and other Zions customers charged overdraft fees between 2005 and 2010.

In court papers, attorneys say Zions manipulated and altered the order in which debit transactions were posted in order to maximize the number of overdrafts.

Based in Salt Lake City, Zions has branches in 10 states.  

A spokeswoman says the company doesn't comment on pending lawsuits.