Expired ID just doesn’t cut it under bank law

The article regarding a customer’s lawsuit against Washington Mutual Inc. should have emphasized that the bank employee was bound by law to obtain a valid picture ID before accepting the transaction (“Client faults WaMu layout in robbery,” Oct. 2, and Business Letters, Oct. 22).

The Bank Secrecy Act requires that any cash transaction amounting to more than $10,000 must be reported. There are no exceptions.

If the customer is unable or unwilling to provide valid picture identification, the transaction must be refused. There are no provisions for expired identification, and falsification of any portion of the report is punishable by a stiff fine for the bank, jail time for the employee or both.

Sadly, it’s a sign of our times that without valid proof you really do cease to exist.

Michael Moran

Los Angeles