The following question appeared in the Q&A section of Banking Spectrum's August 2013 Report Bulletin.
Compare your answer to the correct answer provided below.
Q: We are willing to cash checks for non-customers provided they agree to give us a set of fingerprints. Is it ok to require this?
A: A bank may ask for any identifier it needs in order to prevent fraud or other dishonest acts. While the law often does not allow fingerprinting for certain activities it does permit for others, see the NYS Labor Laws. If the bank wants to obtain fingerprints from non-customers for whom checks are cashed they should prepare a consent form for the non-customer to sign indicating that the giving of fingerprints for this specific purpose is with consent.