[Just Jen]

I have stolen 50 dollars I that I thought I needed. Now I want to begin a Solstice prayer/ritual letting go of negativity. I now do not want this money, I can't return it to the rightful owner. What should I do

[Altered Moment]

Why can't you return it to the rightful owner? Do it anonymously.

[LindaLu]

Maybe you don't know the person you stole from and can't return it? Can you give it to someone else who needs it? A panhandler, a soup kitchen, Salvation Army bell ringer? Do it all once or in tens, to different people or organizations. As you do, say something to yourself that is healing/meaningful.

[Just Jen]

I was thinking along these lines yes, I truly regret this. It was stupid, I hope the person is not harmed by this. It first seemed victimless, I now know it is not. I cannot make this right

(When I proofread this, I had to edit out the word "truly" three times- obvious to me now I really want some truth) ug

[Just Jen]

Originally Posted by zinco14532323

Why can't you return it to the rightful owner? Do it anonymously.

I don't know the person, it was a cc fraud. I'm an idiot

[Altered Moment]

I see. Well I think the best way then is to give the 50 to someone who really needs it or to Salvation Army or some charity. Even if the bank issuing the credit card is the only victim there is still a victim. It easy to think that a big corporation is not a victim but in the end we all pay for it. They still make big profits and we pay higher fees to cover them.

[wolfgaze]

Originally Posted by Just Jen

I don't know the person, it was a cc fraud. I'm an idiot

Well hopefully the individual was reimbursed through their CC company...

Here's an idea/suggestion - what about donating $50 to a good cause / charity?

Sounds like you are remorseful about your error in judgement. Try to use this experience as a life lesson and catalyst for internal growth.

[Just Jen]

I will forward this cash ahead to something worthwhile. I thank you for the replies.
I still am a scumbag.
I think this (hopefully) is my rock bottom

[Just Jen]

My sunrise Solstice prayer now feels real. The sun rises here at 7:24 I have some serious self work to do. tears.
I don't want to be compelled to steal anymore.

[wolfgaze]

Jen, do you know why you experience the compulsion to steal?

[Just Jen]

No. This money I took was going to help with Holiday, (groceries, & gifts). But I immediately knew I could get by without this money. I have no idea why I still did this. There is no justification. Immoral behavior

[eskielover]

You have another thread about shoplifting also.......you seriously have a problem that needs professional help.

There is NO JUSTIFICATION for stealing no matter how trivial it is. Shoot, when a store undercharges me for an item (rings it up as a wrong item) I go back & have them correct it. One store completely didn't charge me for several items at checkout.....I ended up going back with the items & the receipt & showed them the mistake to correct. The waitress at the luncheon I went to the other day short changed herself by only $.50.....but I made sure she got the money.

For me HONESTY HONESTY HONESTY is my focus......I also make sure that when I am shorted that I get my money back also....I don't like being cheated so obviously I would hate to cheat anyone either.

I always keep in my mind......do to others as you want them to do to you....whether it's a company or a person.

But if you can't think that way.....you need professional help to help correct those neuropathways in your brain that keep telling you it's ok.

[Altered Moment]

Here is how I was taught. I brought home a towel from a hotel room in my hockey bag as a teen. It wasn't an accident, I stole it. My mom found it and the hotel logo was stamped on it. She made me mail it back with a letter of apology. I thought she was out of her mind at the time but the lesson stuck. I am cash register honest to this day.

Can I ask if you are shop lifting are you supporting a habit? Or is it a compulsion?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Just Jen]

Yes, do unto others, I have lost site of that.
Also thanks Zinco, I'm not supporting a habit, and I guess it's a compulsion. I have a good job and payday is coming, I cannot explain this act. I can generally tell myself that I'm not harming a big national store when I take.
This time is much different, it was from a person, who I assumed "could afford or maybe wouldn't miss" this amount. They were very kind and generous, and I added a 50 charge to the bill. (They are traveling through my hometown)
I have no assumption if this was true or not, this was not my call, and I am very very wrong. Total scum move. I know I will never do anything like this again

[Just Jen]

I hate this and want to amend. Other that being completely honest and losing my job, which would sink my family, I don't know how to make a good donation to the country of origin from where the traveler came.

[Altered Moment]

Originally Posted by Just Jen

I hate this and want to amend. Other that being completely honest and losing my job, which would sink my family, I don't know how to make a good donation to the country of origin from where the traveler came.

Don't make ammends in a way that will harm yourself, your family, or anyone else. Give it to Salvation Army. They will put it to good use for a needy family for the holidays.

Your not scum or a horrible person. You need help and therapy I would say. At our core we are not bad people but we can have bad behaviors.

[MotownJohnny]

I would be more concerned that the victim will discover the discrepancy and report it to the card issuer as a fraudulent charge. Since it was on a credit card, which you appear to have access to in some sort of a "merchant" role (perhaps you're a server, a salesperson, etc), I think if I were in your position, I would contact the victim and say "I apologize, I made a mistake on your invoice, and I am putting through a $50 credit on your card". Since you are truly remorseful, I certainly would NOT say it was intentional, just that it was a mistake - believe me, having worked in retail for over 20 years in a service and goods industry, honest mistakes do happen with charge card orders, for reasons as simple as someone misread another person's handwriting and punched in a 3 as an 8, to weird glitches in the card reader that make it come back with a wrong total upon authorization.

[eskielover]

I was actually thinking exactly what MotownJ is suggesting because if it does come back to you having put through a bad charge, your employer might have issues with you whether you say anything or not.......so if you can make the credit & return the money to the company for the credit....you would be being the most honest & have the least amount of harm.

Would think that the company you work for would wonder where the money went to that was charged because it should be in their account & would be missing from your employers accounting.

[Altered Moment]

Yeah I was wondering how you did it too. I just kind of figured it was a forged card where the info was hacked and a card made. That happens a lot. Usually much more than 50 bucks is involved in those cases though. I would worry whether it can be traced back to you.

[Just Jen]

in full disclosure, the company is a restaurant, and the guest did not take their receipt, I added in a 50$ tip, (equal to the very generous amount they actually left me in cash, 20%+ for good service) and left all with the bookkeeping dept. (fraud) now if/when it comes to light I assume the co. will return or probably comp the meal for the inconvenience. And if asked I'll lie and give it back. But my guilt is mine and I am dealing with the fact that it was a scuzzy thing to do. I am really broke and wanted to buy food and gifts for holiday. The credit charges go into payroll pool that is distributed on paychecks in two weeks.

[Just Jen]

I have, donated the money.
I also have not "lifted" a single thing,
Paid for every Holiday item. (Huge because stealing comes so easy for me)
And I am moving forward. baby steps.
Thanks for the straight talk! It motivated me to do better.
Namaste