A Kenyan woman living in the United States, Juliana wa Muli, has opened up about an expensive mistake she made shortly after relocating, after misunderstanding how card payments and “cash back” work in American stores.
In a candid narration shared online, Juliana said her troubles began during her early days in the US, when she was still adjusting to cashless payments.
Back in Kenya, she was used to withdrawing money from her bank card, sending it to M-Pesa, and paying for goods through mobile money.
On her first shopping trip to a Dollar Tree store, she recalls being asked by the cashier if she wanted “cash back” after paying with her card.
Unfamiliar with the concept, Juliana said yes and requested $100. When the cashier handed her the money, she assumed it was some kind of reward or benefit tied to shopping in America.
Convinced she had discovered a hidden advantage, she said she kept the experience to herself.
The following day, she returned to the same store, bought a $1 item, and this time requested $500 in cash back. Once again, she received the money without issue.
For nearly ten days, the routine continued. Juliana said she would buy small items, request large amounts of cash back, then walk into a nearby clothing store to shop for clothes and shoes.
Friends reportedly noticed her frequent shopping, unaware of how she was funding it.
The situation took a sharp turn when her bank contacted her, questioning what they described as “suspicious activities” on her account.
After confirming she still had her card, the bank informed her that her account was overdrawn by $3,400.
It was only then that Juliana realised the truth: the “cash back” was not free money, but cash withdrawn directly from her own bank account.
The bank explained she had exceeded her available balance, triggering an overdraft.
She said she was required to repay the amount within 30 days, along with interest.
The bank deducted the money gradually from her salary, a period she described as financially and emotionally draining.
Her story has since sparked reactions online, with many Kenyans admitting they were also unfamiliar with how cash back works in US stores, especially those new to life abroad.
Reactions;
Desire Effkay: Hilarious. I can imagine your face when you were being given the cash back.
Nana Gift: Gosh this is sad now but umenichanua next time sitabeba ushamba.
Edwin Shamil: Ulidhani uko in the land of milk n honey where money flows?
Suzy Wanjiru: Plus cash back means totally a different thing in Kenya.
Allan James: The problem is having a program in your mind that there is something for free.
Susan Sam: You think ur playing the system bt the system was rigged 😅in 20th century 🫶😂💯.