Bedridden Grandma Taken to Bank, Sparking Public Outcry
MEXICO — A 96-year-old bedridden woman was forced to go to a bank branch for biometric verification, sparking public outrage and criticism online. The incident involved Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA), a major bank in Mexico, which reportedly insisted that the elderly woman, Fidelia Vásquez Nuño, be physically present at their branch to resolve an issue with her biometric records and reactivate her pension.
Despite being bedridden and suffering from several age-related illnesses, Fidelia was brought to the BBVA branch in Oaxaca on a stretcher inside an ambulance. Her son, Gilberto Ayala, explained that they had already submitted all the necessary documents, including powers of attorney and legal representative forms, to verify her identity. However, the bank refused to accept them and demanded her personal appearance, citing a glitch in the biometric registration system.
Due to this issue, Fidelia had not received her pension for six months. Her family described the bank’s actions as heartless and insensitive, especially since no alternative solutions were offered despite her fragile health. Gilberto expressed his frustration, calling the situation outrageous and emotionally draining. He emphasized that his mother clearly could not make such a trip, yet the bank remained firm in its demands.
Fidelia’s daughter, Ernestia, also voiced her dismay. She shared how they were shuffled from one office to another, with the bank justifying its demand by claiming that Fidelia’s facial features no longer matched the original records. Ernestia pointed out the obvious—that her mother is 96 years old, and physical changes over the decades are natural.
The story quickly went viral after photos and videos showed Fidelia lying on a stretcher outside the bank, awaiting her biometric scan. Social media users slammed BBVA for its lack of compassion and for violating the rights of an elderly woman. In response to the incident, Fidelia’s family filed complaints with Mexico’s National Human Rights Commission, the Ombudsman’s Office in Oaxaca, and the National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Financial Service Users. The public continues to demand accountability from the bank for what many see as a blatant disregard for basic human dignity.