PROVIDENCE – The House has approved legislation that would block banks from fingerprinting noncustomers who want to cash checks.
Some banks require a thumbprint to identify those who are looking to cash a check without an account at the bank.
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Rep. Deborah A. Fellela, D-Johnston, who sponsored the legislation, says Bank of America branches have required fingerprints of noncustomers, even if they’re cashing checks drawn on Bank of America accounts.
“I believe a law needs to be placed on the books in Rhode Island to ban this unfair check cashing practice,” Fellela said. “I have heard many complaints from constituents who have simply tried to cash a check at a bank branch and were told they needed to submit a thumbprint. This policy is unnecessary and a blatant violation of civil liberties.”
An earlier version of the Fellela measure also prohibited banks from requiring a fee for cashing checks. That wording was removed from an amended bill.
The full House voted 56-12 to approve the amended legislation, H5026a, and pass it to the Senate. Seven representatives did not vote.
Why is it such a blatant violation of civil liberties when you have to submit a thumbprint, you have to show your license or other form of picture ID anyway and sign the check. The print is no big deal, however it really bothers me when the bank charges you a fee for a check drawn on the very same bank’s account, just because I don’t have an account there. The wording to prohibit that should have stayed in !
It is pure PC nonsense to assert that it is a violation of civil liberties to prove you are who you say you are for any financial transaction. Banks wouldn’t be finger printing if they didn’t have a big problem with check fraud, which costs us all money. Rep. Fellela’s bill is more of RI’s antibusiness attitude that makes our state’s economy one of the worst in the nation. RI politicians should be working full time to correct our state’s disgraceful financial mess—which their ineptitude and corruption created—instead of counterproductive legislation. It is time to vote out politicians who think as Rep. Fellela does.