How about a big round of applause for the manager of the downtown Tampa branch of the Bank of America?
If you want to cash a BOA check at a BOA bank, you must show ID and stick your thumbprint on the note.
But let’s say you have no arms. If you have no arms, you ain’t gonna have hands, or thumbs, or thumbprints. Doesn’t matter.
The downtown Tampa branch manager of the Bank of America refused to cash a check because armless Steve Valdez was unable to provide a thumbprint.
So, not only does BOA have a flawed policy, they now have a serious PR problem – the story is running in media outlets and blogs around the world.
And thus far, BOA is all thumbs in responding.
Rick
1 year ago
That’s an unbelievable story. And I’m a BofA customer. 2 thumbs up for putting in Sticks of Fire!
Kim
1 year ago
The teller and manager should be fired!
Linda Lowell
1 year ago
I am sorry for the gentleman. I am sure he has a bank account somewhere and could cash his check at his bank or open an account with the $2000.00 check at BOA. If that check was not good, you and I would pay for the loss to the bank. A check made to someone else and not being cashed by that person is a risk, even if it is the husband. With an account at BOA there would have been no question. Both sides need to be heard. This is unfortunate and with the tv coverage and newspaper coverage not telling all, it makes the bank look like the bad guy. Tell the whole story. Did he have an account elsewhere and would they have cashed the check? Also with the size of the check where was the wife? Maybe she didn’t want the check cashed. Now the bank has given the $2000.00 to the wrong person. Think people.
Anonymous
1 year ago
The thumbprint is an identification supplement. The thumbprint is not linked to any database for verification, it’s a tracking aid in case the check is fraudulent, not a proactive ID validator. A valid ID was produced, and when linked with video from the security cameras, it shouldn’t have been too difficult to track down the unarmed bandit if the check was a fraud. Your what-ifs are specious. It boils down to the fact that the masses are either afraid or incapable of thinking outside the box when confronted with real-world non-normal situations that aren’t covered by standard policies and procedures. It’s yet another symptom like that airplane that was stranded in Rochester, MN a few weeks back.
stephanie
1 year ago
in reply to Linda, who has totally missed the boat on this… If Mr Valdez had thumbs he would have been able to cash it, he DID have proper identification, all he was lacking was a thumb. Didn’t matter if the wife wanted it cashed or not. I repeat, he HAD ID. The point is it was clearly a violation of the Disabilities Act.
Karen
1 year ago
In ref. to Linda’s comment, “it makes the bank look like the bad guy”. The bank is the bad guy.