Bank Wants Thumbprint From Man With No Hands

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Bank Wants Thumbprint From Man With No Hands

Posted by samzenpus on Tuesday September 1, 2009 @04:05AM from the pedantic-jerks dept.

Being born without arms hasn't stopped Steve Valdez from living a normal life, but it has stopped him from being able to cash a check at Bank of America. Even though he had two forms of picture ID, the bank still wanted a thumbprint to cash his check. The teller acknowledged that a thumbprint would be impossible to get, saying "Obviously you can't give a thumbprint," but her manager refused to process the check unless they had one.

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A thank you note to the manager would be nice... by Anonymous Coward · 2009-09-01 04:21 · Score: 0

For the multi-million dollar ADA compliance lawsuit they just handed this guy.
ugh by Icegryphon · 2009-09-01 04:53 · Score: 1

to call these people asshats would do asshats everywhere a disservice.
1. Re:ugh by iamhassi · 2009-09-01 12:33 · Score: 1
  
  "to call these people asshats would do asshats everywhere a disservice."
  
  Can we just call Bank of America an asshat?
  
  --
  my karma will be here long after I'm gone
Re:A thank you note to the manager would be nice.. by oldspewey · 2009-09-01 05:53 · Score: 2, Insightful

Sometimes incompetence is another way to spell benevolence.

--
If libertarians are so opposed to effective government, why don't they all move to Somalia?
Mindless automatons by Locke2005 · 2009-09-01 05:54 · Score: 2, Insightful

If I were Mr. Valdez, I would ask for them to document the refusal in writing, then turn that little piece of evidence over to a lawyer for a lawsuit under ADA. If I was the bank, I'd hiring somebody capable of thinking outside the box... perhaps somebody capable of asking "Do you have toes?" In the bank's defense, how do they know it is really him, and not some other man with no hands just pretending to be him? Yeah, that's pretty weak.

--
I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
1. Re:Mindless automatons by iamhassi · 2009-09-01 12:32 · Score: 1
  
  "In the bank's defense, how do they know it is really him, and not some other man with no hands just pretending to be him? Yeah, that's pretty weak."
  
  I'm pretty sure an armless man cashing fake checks would be caught red handed.
  
  Thanks! I'll be here all week!
  
  --
  my karma will be here long after I'm gone
2. Re:Mindless automatons by Anonymous Coward · 2009-09-01 13:55 · Score: 0
  
  I'm pretty sure an armless man cashing fake checks would be caught red handed.
  Thanks! I'll be here all week!
  I don't get it. Please explain, in detail.
3. Re:Mindless automatons by Scragglykat · 2009-09-02 02:57 · Score: 1
  
  Perhaps next time, he'll try to use his disarming charm on the teller. Tip your wait staff.
I can see the bank's side of this by BenSchuarmer · 2009-09-01 07:42 · Score: 1

They're trying to prevent a crime-wave of armless people writing bad checks.
1. Re:I can see the bank's side of this by Sarlin · 2009-09-02 06:36 · Score: 1
  
  and unarmed robbery! Morons!
  
  --
  The Thing is.
2. Re:I can see the bank's side of this by plover · 2009-09-02 15:24 · Score: 1
  
  They're trying to prevent a crime-wave of armless people writing bad checks.
  Obligatory Douglas Adams update: "Mostly 'armless."
  
  --
  John
thmbprint?????? by hmar · 2009-09-01 07:43 · Score: 1

Why in hell would a bank ask for a thumb print? I have never been asked this, by BoA or any other bank.
1. Re:thmbprint?????? by iamhassi · 2009-09-01 12:30 · Score: 1
  
  All the banks in St. Louis do this (yes, all, I have been to all of them) if you cash a check someone wrote you and do not have an account at that bank.
  
  --
  my karma will be here long after I'm gone
2. Re:thmbprint?????? by Scragglykat · 2009-09-02 02:58 · Score: 1
  
  So it sounds to me like he should find a bank where he has an account? Doesn't sound too hard to me. Besides, cross-bank fees can cost you an arm and an arm.
What is a bank ? by billcopc · 2009-09-01 10:13 · Score: 1

Remember, people, these are the organizations you trust with your money.
Banks are terribly overrated, as if that weren't obvious by now.

--
-Billco, Fnarg.com
1. Re:What is a bank ? by Anonymous Coward · 2009-09-01 12:32 · Score: 0
  
  Remember, people, these are the organizations you trust with your money.
  Banks are terribly overrated, as if that weren't obvious by now.
  Right.
  Because trusting the government is so much BETTER.
  At the end of the year, the feds wind up with a shitload more of my money than any bank does.
  Just remember this: Taxes: they WILL be used against you
2. Re:What is a bank ? by Anonymous Coward · 2009-09-02 02:59 · Score: 0
  
  Umm, perhaps I missed it, but please point out the part of the GP where he mentioned anything about the government.
  At all.
  Maybe you should brush up on your reading comprehension skills, as they're sorely lacking.
Anonymous Coward by Anonymous Coward · 2009-09-01 19:09 · Score: 0

Don't suppose they can use his big toe print instead?
For you privacy folks... by SeeSp0tRun · 2009-09-02 10:28 · Score: 1

For anyone not wanting BoA to have your thumbprint on file every time they are hacked, or inevitably go under... just put a layer of glue on your thumbs. Make it thin enough so heat transmits through, and thick enough so your thumbprint is a blob.

--
Something witty.
Re:A thank you note to the manager would be nice.. by plover · 2009-09-02 15:23 · Score: 1

For the multi-million dollar ADA compliance lawsuit they just handed this guy.
"Here, I'll hand you this lawsuit! Oops, missed. Sorry, missed again. Oh, too bad!"

--
John