During a panel discussion at the Summit last week, a member of our community who relocated from Texas to Panama mentioned they had about $100,000 worth of her belongings stolen by a moving company.
Now, before I go any further, I want you to think about something…
When I told you this member of our community was relocating from Texas to Panama and had $100,000 worth of belongings stolen by a moving company, where did you imagine the theft happened?
If you're imagining a Panamanian moving company making off with her belongings somewhere between the port and her new home, you’d be making an unconscious snap judgment driven by years of misconception and myth.
The reality? The theft happened in Texas, before her belongings ever left the United States.
I find it ironic how a theft that occurred on American soil prompted questions about crime and safety in Panama, the country's justice system and expat rights…
The crime happened in the United States.
The suspicion landed on Panama.
I want to be clear: the moving company they hired was not, and is not, affiliated with Expat Money, nor did we recommend them, or even know who they are.
We assisted them with the immigration work surrounding her arrival in Panama.