Amscot will not sell money orders to Tampa taxi drivers anymore. Cab drivers pay their companies a lease. Since the company will not take cash, we get money orders. Amscot financial offers free money orders to the general public - they have for years. They now tell cab drivers they can't offer that service to us. In fact, they are asking people if the money order is for commercial or personal reasons. Hum? Is that legal? Is it really any of their business? I got it. Money Laundering.
Perhaps some shady people have been using Amscot as a flip joint or clearing house for money you don't report to the IRS. Perhaps. I am only speculating. This was rather sudden and caught us off guard.
When you are in business, can you refuse service? I know as a cab driver I can only refuse if they have no money or they are very drunk. It is called DISCRIMINATION. Perhaps they felt emboldened by the court decision in Arizona. You tell me.
UPDATE: I am using Facebook now and have caught up with some old friends. My old chess coach from Warwick High in Virginia Tom Stroup are now playing a game on the internet. I have a new blog where you can follow the action. Chesspatzers.blogspot.com
Yo Tim what about parking around the corner and responding when asked about the reason for the money order, say "using it for my ex-wife as she can't be trusted with CASH"
Posted by: UC Larry157 | Friday, 30 July 2010 at 11:16 AM
Tim,
I feel your pain. Making a living as a hack is hard enough, especially in this economic slow-down, without some business such as Anscot changing its policies, making it tougher on you. Where's that taxi driver DeNiro played? "Suck on this, Sport!"
Tom in Newport News, VA
Posted by: Tom Stroup | Thursday, 29 July 2010 at 06:12 PM