Bank of America, BROADWAY/CAMINO SECO BRANCH

awful customer service, questionable policies
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by Ihatebanks, Mar. 19, 2014

I was told that this bank would cash a federal tax return check.
I went in and all seemed fine the check was for 4,718.00. I asked if they could cash a check of this amount if I'm not an actual customer and if so how much would it cost. I was told that they absolutely could and there would be no fee. Sounded good to me they had me put my fingerprint on the check and asked for two forms of ID, I handed them my valid drivers license and my social security card. I was then asked if I had any other ID, I then showed them my expired state ID. They told me that this was not sufficient and that it could be a    debit or credit card w/or w/out pic, A college ID w/pic, a high school ID w/or w/out pic, a passport, a different out of state ID or license, an employee  name tag w/or w/out pic. Okay, so I don't have any of those things! But isn't  my social security card a second form of ID? I was told, no. I could go home  and get my birth certificate?  Sorry no also invalid. I was then told I could open  an account with the forms of ID that I had on hand. So I asked "If I open an  account could I cash this check?" They said yes. So now I'm in a little booth  and apparently this woman has been warned about me because the first thing  she asks is "are you going to close this account after you cash your check  because we don't like to make checking accounts, just for check cashing  services." I'm not exaggerating.  So being the honest person that I am I tell her  that I truly would just like to cash this check but none of my secondary forms  of identification are up to par. We then go through the list again and again I confirm that I do not have any of those I repeat "I have my driver's license,  social security card,  vehicle registration, court documents signed annd sealed by a judge, a birth certificate pay stub so on. She says "sorry none of those are valid.  She then asks "do you have a work badge such as this?" And points to her name tag. A name tag? "A name tag?" I ask. "If I get a name tag with a little sticker from a label-maker that says my name, that will be a valid second form of ID? Above even an actual paycheck stub?" "Yes" was her only reply.
I'm on a mission now so I go to work, explain the situation and my boss is more than happy to issue me a name tag.
I walk back into the bank thinking they can't possibly give me any other excuses not to cash this check. I go up to the first teller and try to cash this check again;  they ask for two forms of ID, I deliver. They say "I'm sorry but we can't cash checks of this amount unless you're a client of the bank."
The lady who told me about the name tag loophole walks up and asks what happened I proceed to tell her that earlier when I asked if they would have a problem cashing a check of this amount for a non-client, I was told there would be no problem.  And that I feel like I'm being treated badly because I don't want a bank account.  She just shrugged a little and said "sorry, this is why you should probably get a bank account."
As soon as I left, I called a different branch and asked, " would you be able to cash a federal tax return check in the amount of 4, 718.00 if I don't bank there or anywhere?  He said "absolutely, that wouldn't be a problem!"

* this reviewer has be with this bank for <6 months
* this reviewer had 1 - 2 banks before.
* this review was made on Bank of America, Broadway/Camino Seco Branch at Tucson, AZ
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