A Florida man was unable to cash a Bank of America check because the bank required a thumbprint, and he had no arms.

WTSP has the story of Steve Valdez, who tried to cash a Bank of America check written by his wife to him. He took the check to a BoA branch, presented two forms of picture ID, and was prevented from cashing the check because he couldn’t provide a thumbprint. The manager refused to accommodate Valdez, suggesting that he open an account if he wanted to cash the check.

We’ve written before about consumers’ discomfort about having to provide fingerprints for business transactions. Some readers have pointed out to their banks that there’s nothing in the Uniform Commercial Code about requiring a thumbprint for negotiable instruments. In this case, Valdez also told the bank that they might be violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Also, there’s this: In July, Bank of America admitted that they keep a database of the thumbprinted checks. Wonderful.

Bank wants thumbprint from man with no hands [WTSP]

(Photo: fazen)Thanks, Sara!

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