Long-lost friend reaches out after over two decades, seeking a $15,000 loan, leaving the stunned individual questioning the request's legitimacy
In a recent turn of events, a man found himself facing an unexpected financial request from an old friend he hadn't spoken to in over two decades. The friend, Peter, asked for a substantial sum of $15,000, and the man, who will remain anonymous, noticed discrepancies in Peter's stories and became suspicious.
Peter claimed his wife was pregnant and he had racked up credit card debt. However, Peter's explanations seemed inconsistent, and he provided insufficient proof to substantiate his claims. This raised red flags for the man, who shared screenshots of their conversation to illustrate the pressure he was facing.
The man consulted a common friend for advice, who shared similar concerns. Sam Dogen, founder of Financial Samurai, was also consulted, and he advised against lending money to an out-of-contact friend. Sam emphasized that saying 'no' to a money request doesn't mean saying 'no' to the friendship. He suggested offering non-monetary help instead.
Common signs that an old friend’s money request might be manipulative include urgent or pressured requests, emotional manipulation, untraceable payment methods, inconsistent or changing stories, requests that evade direct personal contact or verification, exploitation of vulnerabilities, manipulative communication tactics, and unexpected sudden contact.
In this case, Peter's constant pressing and the lack of concrete evidence led the man to be hesitant to lend the money. Another friend advised the man to question Peter's motives. The man did not rush to help Peter, allowing him to ascertain his true motives.
Many people were glad the man did not give in to Peter's pressuring. It serves as a reminder for us all to be vigilant when faced with such requests, ensuring we protect our financial wellbeing and maintain healthy relationships.
The man's financial wellbeing seemed to be at stake due to Peter's manipulative lifestyle, as evidenced by the urgent requests, inconsistent stories, and lack of concrete evidence. Sam Dogen's advice to offer non-monetary help instead, emphasizing that it doesn't mean saying 'no' to the friendship, resonated with the man in this situation.
