I went to cash a check at a bank. Okay I didn't have an account with the bank but I have a driver's license as an ID but the bank said they needed my thumbprint on the check. Isn't that a violation of my privacy/civil rights?

Why? Did you ask the bank/teller what they did with the thumbprint - the only time the thumbprint is ever used is if the item is returned to us as having been part of a fradulent activity. Be realistic - banks are a for profit entity and we don't have time to sit around and run every thumbprint through some data base - that's just ludicrous. What civil right do you feel is violated - were you denied a job? What privacy was violated? Do you feel the same about having to give your drivers license?

Cash the check at your bank...problem solved.

I beleive every bank will ask for a thumbprint for non-customers cashing checks, I know mine does.

and so does Bank of America

You didn't have to give your thumb print, .... but then again the bank didn't have to cash your check. If you want to use a bank is it so unreasonable that you have to leave an identifying record with the bank of who presented the check to be cashed?

It's not a privacy issue to show a drivers license that is a picture ID AND shows the address where the teller will write the number and expiration down but it is for a thumbprint?!
I can do more damage with the drivers license information than I could with a thumbprint (if I wanted to that is).

People confuse me.

Yesterday was my pet monkey's birthday, and my parents sent him a check. We went to the bank to cash it, but they refused as monkeys don't have thumbs...

If you're clumsy (all thumbs) would they want a handprint?