Dear Editor,

Sometimes the people you trust the most can surprise you in the worst ways.

A few weeks ago, my best friend asked me to send her $100 to buy lunch. Because I was driving at the time, I made the transfer through ACB’s peer-to-peer feature on my phone. In my haste, I accidentally added an extra zero — and sent $1,000 instead.

It was an honest mistake, and I immediately told her. She laughed and said she’d send back the difference “as soon as she reached home.”

That was two weeks ago, and I’m still waiting.

Since then, I’ve heard every excuse in the book:

•⁠ ⁠She “entered her PIN wrong” and got locked out of her account.

•⁠ ⁠She’s “waiting for the bank to fix it.”

•⁠ ⁠She “already told me she would sort it out.”

At this point, it’s not about the money, it’s about trust. I told her, “If you can’t transfer it, just go into the bank, withdraw it, and give it to me.” Yet here I am, still making calls that go unanswered.

I’ve thought about going to the police, but how do you report someone you once called your sister? How do you press charges against a person who has sat at your table, cried on your shoulder, and shared your secrets?

This experience has left me heartbroken and wiser. I’ve learned that money reveals character faster than time ever will. A true friend doesn’t hide behind excuses when they’re holding something that isn’t theirs.

Signed,

Heartbroken but Wiser