Ex-roommate used my credit card info for her security deposit and is now refusing to pay me back

Location: California

My ex-roommate asked to borrow my credit card for a security deposit on her new apartment because her credit was temporarily frozen after some identity theft issues. She promised to pay me back immediately once her bank stuff was sorted out.

The deposit was $2,800 and she’s completely ghosted me. I’ve tried calling, texting, even reached out through mutual friends. She’s read my messages but won’t respond. I found out through Instagram that she’s been posting about expensive dinners at places like Nobu, weekend trips to Lake Tahoe, and even bought a brand new BMW X3 recently. Her stories show her dropping $200+ on bottles at clubs downtown. So clearly she has money, she’s just choosing not to pay me back. I have text messages where she explicitly asks to use my card and promises to reimburse me ASAP. I also have screenshots of her Venmo transactions to other people things like $150 for girls’ trip to Napa and $85 brunch at The Ivy – showing she’s definitely not broke.

I’m a high school teacher and $2,800 is almost half my monthly take-home pay. I’ve been eating Top Ramen for dinner most nights and had to decline three different birthday dinners this month because I can’t afford the $40-50 per person that my friend group usually spends. Meanwhile she’s posting Instagram stories from $300 spa days.

The apartment she used my card for is in West Hollywood, one of those trendy new builds with the rooftop pool and concierge service. I looked it up and units there rent for $4,500+ per month, so clearly she’s living well beyond what she claimed she could afford.

I can’t afford to hire a lawyer when I’m already out $2,800, so is there any way to compel her to pay without going through expensive legal proceedings?