Bank Tells Armless Man: No Thumb, No Cash

A Florida man born without arms says a Tampa bank would not let him cash a check because he couldn't provide a thumbprint.

Steve Valdez didn't have an account at a Bank of America location in downtown Tampa, where he tried to cash a check from his wife last week. However, Valdez has prosthetic arms and is unable to provide a thumbprint. He says he presented two forms of identification but was still denied.

He says a bank manager told him he could either come back to the bank with his wife or open an account himself.

Instead, he went back to his desk at the Hillsborough County Public Works Customer Satisfaction Center, called his wife and told her never to make him go to her bank again, reports the St. Petersburg Times.
"There were a few extra expletives," the 54-year-old told the newspaper.

Bank of America spokeswoman Nicole Nastacie says the bank has apologized to Valdez. Nastacie says the bank should have "offered alternative requirements if an individual is not able to give a thumbprint."