Bank of America asks armless man for thumbprint

Florida, Sep 5: An armless man hoping to cash his wife's cheque was left disgusted after the bank demanded his thumbprint.

Steve Valdez, a resident of Tampa, Florida, went into a Bank of America branch in his hometown to cash the cheque on his wife's request.

But the bank official told him that a person without an account at the bank has to give a thumbprint to cash a cheque.

54-year-old, Valdez, uses prosthetic arms since he was born armless.

"She said, 'Obviously you aren't going to be able to give us a thumbprint'," the Daily Telegraph quoted Valdez as saying.

Valdez showed the bank teller two picture identification cards, but the teller was not swayed.

She consulted the manager, who said that in order to cash the cheque Valdez could open his own account, or bring his wife. Valdez did neither and left.

Valdez said he was told the manager was following bank policy. However, Bank of America has now apologised.

"We should have offered alternative requirements if an individual is not able to give a thumbprint," said a spokesperson.

ANI