I had a personal check from my father, and went to the bank it was drawn on to cash it. They said because I didn't have an account there, I had to put my thumbprint on the back of the check. I refused, and went to my own bank to cash it. Anyone else seen this requirement in other banks?

I have not heard of that. Sounds like a gross invasion of privacy. Was the check for $5 million dollars or something? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Seriously, your father may want to have a chat with the manager.

Slightly less dollar amount. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

It's one of the largest area banks, and as I told the teller I'd be going to another bank, she said all their branches require it.

I remember a particular department store trying to institute the same policy about 25 years ago, but I've never seen it since.

That is ridiculously inane. All they need is your ID, etc. That is a real invasion of privacy to me, I would research that one. Do they have thumbprints and eye scanners for their ATM? LOL. Go to http://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/complaints/

My girlfriend is a "Class 5" teller at her bank (maxed out but not an ops manager). She says all banks are doing that now and its legal. They shred the checks (along with your thumbprint) after a week. I told her I still don't like it, but she says the innocent suffer because all of the fraud out there.

They shred the checks after a week? I call BS (on the bank, not your g/f) on that claim since I can get copies of front and back of any check I write if I need proof of payment.

As I understand it, the bank will maintain a digital copy of the check, but the physical paper is destroyed (supposedly).

I asked her that (chatting with her now online), they scan them and then shred them, so it is electronically data filed. So it IS actually out there. I hate that.

Well we might get deleted by Chris on this one, way off topic for being ETS

Do you know if the fingerprint will be part of the digital image, or will that be removed somehow?

Shot her your question: her reply is "the document is scanned. what is on document scans through"