A decimal point oversight led a Guelph, Ontario, business owner to mistakenly overpay his internet bill by tens of thousands of dollars, causing frustration. Christos Kyriacou, the owner of Angel’s Diner, a retro-themed eatery established in 1996, inadvertently sent $34,126 instead of $341.26 to Bell while making an online payment three months ago. Realizing the error two days later, Kyriacou faced a lengthy process involving interactions with both Bell and CIBC, his bank, to rectify the issue.
Despite eventually resolving the overpayment problem, Kyriacou expressed dissatisfaction with the ordeal, mentioning the financial strain it placed on his business operations. Seeking assistance, he contacted CBC News on August 21 after encountering difficulties navigating the back-and-forth communication between the involved companies.
Following media intervention, Bell and CIBC responded to Kyriacou’s situation. Bell assured dedicated support to address the matter, while CIBC confirmed their efforts to assist in resolving the issue. By August 23, Kyriacou confirmed that he had received the refunded amount after CBC News reached out to both companies.
Although appreciative of the resolution, Kyriacou expressed disappointment with the process, emphasizing the need for a simpler and quicker solution. Legal expert Jonathan Foreman highlighted the need for prompt repayment to the consumer and criticized the communication lapses that prolonged the repayment process.
Both Bell and CIBC acknowledged the unique nature of Kyriacou’s case and reiterated their protocols for handling overpayments. Despite the eventual refund, Kyriacou stressed the need for a more efficient system for addressing such errors. Plans for potential compensation from Bell were discussed but details remain unclear.