A Florida bank refused to cash an elderly black woman's check. Then they called the police on her

Wells Fargo is investigating events at its Fort Lauderdale branch

Wells Fargo is America's third-largest commercial bank (Ildar Sagdejev)

An elderly black woman says she was left "humiliated" after being accused of forgery by staff at the Florida branch of a major US bank.

Barbara Carroll, who holds a doctorate in criminal justice and worked as an assistant bank manager for 17 years, last week filed a lawsuit against Wells Fargo alleging racial discrimination.

Dr Carroll says that in November 2017 she went to a Wells Fargo in Fort Lauderdale to cash a $140 (£106) cheque.

Dr Carroll was asked by a clerk to present two forms of identification, which the bank – America's third-largest – says is a standard company policy for non-customers.

After endorsing the cheque with a signature and a fingerprint, the clerk, who was white, turned her back and flipped over the passport and driver’s license to look at them.

When her identification had not been returned after half an hour, Dr Carroll went to the counter to ask about the delay.

Frustrated with the wait, she asked the clerk to return her identification and check. The clerk refused and fetched the manager, who also refused Ms Carroll's request.

The two employees then informed her that they had called the police, refusing to explain why they had done so.

Following another 30-minute wait, Dr Carroll told the teller to keep the check and give back her passport and ID, according to the legal complaint filed by Dr Carroll.

The teller refused once more and would not say when the police would arrive, Dr Carroll said.

While standing in front of the teller, Dr Carroll called 911, and officers came within minutes, according to the complaint.

After she provided the police with six additional forms of identification, Carroll said, the officers told the manager they had found no irregularities.

The manager, who Dr Carroll said had previously verified the validity of the check with its writer, placed the cash alongside her identifications on the counter and left.

“That was really insulting to me,” Dr Carroll said. “She did not apologise.”

Ms Carroll told The Post she was disturbed by the experience. As a former banker, she said, she thought the manager’s behaviour was irregular and inappropriate.

Wells Fargo has reportedly apologised and placed the two workers in “sensitivity” training.

A Wells Fargo spokeswoman, Michelle Palomino, told The Washington Post that the bank is investigating Carroll’s claim. “Wells Fargo opposes discrimination of any kind,” Ms Palomino said. “We take Dr Carroll’s allegations very seriously.”

“I was humiliated,” said Ms Carroll, who said she thinks this happened because she is black. “I’m a human being, and I wasn’t treated as I should have been.”

Dr Carroll is seeking an unspecified amount of money, according to the complaint. She requested a jury to decide how much to award.

“It’s not really a case about damages,” Dr Carroll’s attorney, Yechezkel Rodal, told The Post. “It’s more to raise awareness and hold Wells Fargo accountable.”

The Washington Post