A man has gone viral after calling out Bank of America. His reason for this was the tellers refusing to accept his $8,000 credit card payment without ID.
From iPhone scams to Bitcoin fraud, it’s easy to see why banks are being more careful than ever with your money. But this TikToker wasn’t so sure.
In the short video, which has garnered 912,000 views, the TikTok user, Jason Aubry (@nobsjeeps), films himself at the bank desk opposite two bank tellers. Their upper bodies are visible. Speaking to viewers, he says that the employees are “refusing” to accept his payment.
In response, the teller tries to explain why and later adds, “We have to do our job.”
He then points out an apparent inconsistency. He can do it at the ATM with no ID but needs an ID in-house, even though he argues that he feels safer and more secure inside.
The tellers say in reply that they aren’t refusing, with one of them saying they just required the driver’s license, adding that the “system doesn’t let us bypass that.”
BroBible reached out to Bank of America via email.
Who’s At Fault?
Commenters aren’t on his side.
“This has to do with laws because if money laundering,” one wrote. “I think you posted this to make them look bad, but they don’t. They are following the rules because of the law.”
“Thank you BofA for following regulations to avoid fraud,” a second wrote.
“God forbid a bank tries to prevent fraud lol,” a third agreed. “Tellers literally get fired for these types of infractions. Good work, ladies.”
“Why does requesting an ID make people act out?” a fourth asked. “Just go to the ATM.”
More Context
In a follow-up video, Aubry gives more context. He explains that the deposit was actually a credit card payment. However, he notes that he didn’t need ID to open the credit card in the first place. He also says that he had been to other branches and wasn’t asked for ID. But Aubry also notes that he doesn’t necessarily want commenters to take his side. Instead, he says he wants to “inspire change.”
Bank of America did reach out to him, but he says he missed its email and call.
Everyone, according to Aubry, is entitled to their own opinion. He stresses that we don’t need to agree with one another. He also argues that the thing wrong with society is the way people seemingly want to push their agenda on other people.
After reiterating that his goal was to “affect some change,” he describes the policy as “ridiculous.”
He argues that if he were asked for it at the ATM outside, that would at least make sense.
He adds that, equally, if he can just scan a card at an ATM, why can’t he do that with the teller?
The creator then reiterates that he doesn’t want to incite people and that you don’t have to agree with him. Still, he insists that he isn’t being “rude” or “derogatory” toward the employees. He also points out that one of the tellers is the VP of the branch. In turn, he says that he thinks it is fair to ask questions. Finally, he says he wasn’t rude; he was polite. He says he thanked them and said he appreciated their time.
Do Bank Of America Really Require ID For Cash Deposits?
Based on a Reddit post from 2015, it looks like this rule is indeed in place. It seems to have been implemented quite a while ago. In the post, the user notes how, next to the teller, there were a number of flyers that said, “In November, we’ll begin requiring a valid identification (ID) for cash deposits made with our tellers.”
“If you allow others to make deposits to your accounts, such as employees or family members, they’ll also need to show a valid ID.”
BroBible was unable to independently verify this.
The Redditor’s main complaint is that this would prevent anonymous purchases of Bitcoin via cash deposits. However, it wouldn’t stop the process completely.
In all likelihood, this rule was put in place to prevent fraud and money laundering. According to Security.org, 61% of credit card holders have been victims of fraud, while there are 6.4 million reports of identity fraud every year.
UPDATE: In an Instagram direct message conversation with BroBible, Aubry said, “I had been to other BOA branches and never had to show my ID for payment. The research I have done I also believe Visa doesn’t require ID to make payments on their credit cards.”
In terms of the video’s reception, Aubry described it as “cold.”
“No one is on my side for the most part, which is ok,” he said. “I believe you have to ask questions and speak your truth. A lot of people say I was harassing the tellers which if you watch the video I say ‘Thank you’ and ‘I appreciate it.’ I didn’t get in an argument with them, I was just asking for clarification. I didn’t raise my voice either. So to me with some of the comments I just laugh because I think we have lost what harassment is and arguing. It seems like communication is a lost art anymore.”
He went on to confirm that Bank of America reached out via phone and email because of his TikTok.
“They said that’s their policy and I asked, ‘How does that change from branch to branch?’ The person on the phone couldn’t give me a straight answer. I offered for them to close my credit card they didn’t want to do that either lol.”
“At the end of the day I find it really ironic I didn’t use my ID to open that Alaska Credit card but they want ID to make a payment,” he concluded. “I made the video just to post what I went through. I am not mad at the comments some of them are comical. The sad part of some of the comments is the racism against me for being a white male or the tellers. I have defended the teller for not having good English. It’s unfortunate we live in such a divided society anymore. We should be able to have different opinions without hate or making false claim.”
@nobsjeeps Ridiculous @Bankofamerica refuses to take deposit but has no problem making deposit outside at ATM. Which requires me to be in a less than safe environment. Thanks #bankofamerica #Fyp