Bank refuses to cash a check when armless man can't offer thumbprint Just when you thought you had heard it all. Tampa Bay Florida's Channel 10 is reporting that one Steve Valdez tried to cash a check that was written on his wife's Bank of America check. The policy at Bank of America is that if you're going to cash a check and you don't have an account there, which is apparently the case with Valdez, the bank will request your thumbprint for identification purposes. The bank wanted Valdez to put his thumbprint on the back of his wife's check, which is a standard policy at Bank of America. Valdez would have been happy to comply, but he has no thumbs. Valdez was born without arms and wears prosthetic devices. From what Valdez told Channel 10, the teller said, "Obviously, you can't give a thumbprint." But even though Valdez had two forms of photo ID with him, the bank manager refused to cash the check. Instead, the manager suggested that Valdez bring his wife back to the bank, or he could open an account. Valdez asked the bank manager if he had ever heard of the American with Disabilities Act, and the manager apparently countered that the bank was being hospitable by offering those choices. Anyway, the long and short of this is, a spokesperson from Bank of America later admitted that in this case, the manager should have made an exception to the rule. Meanwhile, I'm betting that in future training, or whoever formulates the policy at Bank of America, this will be addressed.
That's messed up, the employees definitely handled the situation improperly. If you can clearly tell he's incapable of doing something, why is it neccessary to repeatedly ask the man to do it. I feel sorry for the dude. It reminds of the picture of a person in a wheel chair and the sign in front of him says walk.
This isn't why people become terrorists. If he can't give his thumbprint, how could he wield a gun or steer an airplane?
The title really has nothng todo with the subject at hand. It was clear, that the employee was uneducated about the subject, and thus should be taught upon what to do in this case. But still, reacting the way he did was unacceptable. Although, a very interesting read which woke me up a little bit to day. Good post.
Teller: Mr. Valdez, I'm having a tough time identifying you. How do I know you're really who you say you are? Valdez: I'm the guy with no arms. Teller: Oh, alright. Here ya go.
Yeah i really dont see the need for a thumbprint in this case. The teller saw his face and he had no arms. How many people in the world have his face and no arms? 1. him.
If you really think about it, it means that the security in banks is very secure. Sure the teller was an idiot but at least I know that the accounts are pretty safe in there.
That just bad judgement by the bank. I mean if he can't give thumb print im sure two forms of photo idea would of counted anothe.