Spying by Banks

Re “Reporting Laws Turn Banks Into Government Agents,” Dec. 24: Kudos for disclosing how the feds compel banks to act as secret informers against their customers. The old law (ironically entitled the Bank Secrecy Act) was bad enough, but it only required reporting of cash transactions above $10,000. Now we have to accept being psychoanalyzed and risk being ratted on for a “nervous demeanor” or “hidden agenda” (whatever that means)!

Your examples cited of funds wrongfully seized and lives wrongfully ruined (with bank and government both immune from liability, of course) point up yet again how the unwinnable “war on drugs” continues to inflict casualties even upon those who never smoke a joint, snort a line or pop a pill.

CHUCK HAMMILL

Los Angeles

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This isn’t banking, it’s stalking.

ALAN DANIELS

Studio City