Yes, I Got ROBBED in PANAMA: My Story & Lessons Learned

Thank you for the information.

I’ve been Pick Pocketed there too
At Machetazo 🤣

That's awful. Thankfully, the financial institutions made you whole.
I 'freeze' my cards especially my debit and seldom used cc's. I unfreeze when I need to use and re-freeze immediately. I've done it so quickly before that I blocked myself. Ooooops! 😬
There's also card readers in use by the more sophisticated thieves ... they just need to get close enough to electronically snatch your card. The RFID card sleeves, wallet, or purse/backpack is now becoming a must.
Thieves . get . on . my . nerves!!! 👊🏾🥊🔨
~ Yvette ~

I can't wait to be in Panama, single and retirement. But i need to many years to get it😭. But from now i will keep visit my family there in December. I love your videos.

What's a sadula? What is benitsmo?

Thank you so much!!! Im looking into the dual sim now as well as a crossbody.

😪 ooohh, soooo saaad ! U shoud return back home usa, the cleaness and safed place in world ! They are not such things in USA.

You should always carry small bills in other pockets so you don't have to go in your wallet every time.

Robbery is robbery. Sorry to hear about that! That's one of the worst feelings in the world.

I got GOT in Mexico a couple weeks ago. Wallet and phone stolen from my BACKPACK. I say they David Blained me because I didn't even feel it. In hindsight I think it happened waiting to cross the street. When I began crossing and tripped I remember thinking " what did I trip on, there was nothing to trip on". I think that was the moment it was happening. When I got to my destination (I was going to grab lunch), that's when I realized my stuff was gone. Long story short, I get back home, checked my emails and yep, suspicious activity emails were flooding my inbox. So from my laptop, I started the process of reporting. I also keep a backup phone so I got on that and called my banks and cell phone company. I was lucky, out of 4 cards only 1 charge went through on 1 CC for about 700$ (already credited back). I did not report it to police because I heard that's a waste of time here. I took it as a lesson learned. I got too comfy and let my guard down. I knew pickpocketing is a thing out here but the people be so friendly lol. I went back to carrying my fanny pack and got a little front cross body bag. Don't carry more than you need. Keep a backup phone! That saved me. Also learned later that you can use your google account to locate device and/or report the device lost/stolen to block it. Anyhoot, lesson is learned, my head is back on a swivel lol

But you said Panama was perfect for you and that you would recommend it to everyone but why are you complaining ? This could be the beginning of something dangerous a head, hope nothing worse happens to you but remember to always defend that which is your.(Black Africa)

Thank you for sharing your experience. I’m happily all that was tajj k rn from you was restored.

Girl, we watched ur video
I am a panameña n i am so sorry what happened to you.
I learned a lot from your experience
Also you make me laugh about the taxi driver 😂almost got married
Yes we have crime
Learn some bad words especially if somebody get close to you, don’t be afraid
I subscribe 👍🏽

happens all over the world.. New York is the worst. Im not saying that Panama is perfectly safe, but the level of need to protect your self in Panama vs New York is not comparable

I'm so sorry this happened to you. ❤ Please be safe. Keep enjoying yourself. Continued Happy life SIS 💕🥳! Fatimah 🙏🏿

I'm soo sorry what happend to You Nice lady... You a beautiful person ... You got robbed and You not mad at all. ..You need a bodyguard!! ...

I am sorry you got robbed. I travel to Africa a lot and I NEVER EVER put my money in a backpack. I keep my money and ID in a crossbody purse underneath my blouse. If a thief wants to rob me, he’ll have to work really hard to get my money.

Sorry to hear that you got robbed. Glad to hear you got your money back. Lesson learned. Need to contact you about our panama visit.

****What you described can happen anywhere in the world, not peculiar to Panama. "Good luck to anyone looking for a theft free country, with all the pervasive societal economic inequities".

Maggie, I'm so sorry that happened to you. This video is very good Maggie. I too am very cautious and I do appreciate you sharing. I will definitely notate the ten things to do. I like lowering credit cards limits and the phone being able to use in Panama without WiFi. You are right, just as the other folks mentioned in the comments above. You have to be on your guard. I always travel with my phany pack. Always use a photo copy of passport. And it's stored in my LOCKED\PASSWORD phone. Again thank you for shar, this is so important

i love your attitude!

sorry that happened to you, also, I have a money belt, which goes under my clothes. It holds my cash and credit cards. But thanks for the advice and the reminder….we do get careless while traveling sometimes

5 de mayo is real greasy and dangerous outside that metro. I stopped taking the metro there. You really didnt need to be walking around there at all. Lots of expats refuse to talk about the robberies happening to them. There's been a lot of jewelry been robbed off women in broad daylight. Wish expats spoke more spanish and could hear and read the news. Hate this happened to you.

Why are you carrying all of your cards just for an outing for a day ?

I am sorry you had that experience of robbery and the cops taking long to help .
I am glad you are always energetic and a happy person and that you get your money back. Stay happy 😊

Thank you maggie.this is very helpful.God bless you.PANAMA HAS SOMETHING TO OFFER INDEED.THANKS FOR SHARING IN PLANNING TO VISIT GOD WILLING SOON.

How did they get money out of your accounts without the numeric code that s used with the bank card?

I don't even like sitting with my back against the door at a restaurant because I want to see what is coming and going. Lord, knows I want all my articles in the FRONT of me!! If you coming after me or has picked me as a mark, it ain't gonna be easy!!

wow thank you for sharing this experience. I understand how your frustration but listen you are alive and well. Things like this happens not only in PTY but all over the world. I am sure you learned the hard way. I am sure that you may have heard of the 2 way verification and also you can set up a maximum amount that can be spend or withdraw from yr bank (credit cards or savings). You will be notified if you or anyone tries to get more than the maximum you have established. Sorry Sis!

If that's the case I got robbed in the United States too.

New subscriber. You really shouldn't blame yourself. As you said, these are professionals. All you can do is make yourself a more difficult target by being more aware.

I was in Cambodia and a guy tried to snatch my phone. He didn’t get it. Luckily he was on the motorbike alone, usually it’s two of them, so he wasn’t able to maneuver while also trying to snatch my phone and pay attention to the road. Definitely an adrenaline rush. I let my guard down that day. Usually I’m paying attention to my surroundings. Especially since I was very aware of this common petty crime.

A fanny pack is perfect make sure it’s always in the front.

I met a lady in Ecuador; a native Ecuadorian. Her laptop was stolen off her back by a thief that sliced the bottom of her backpack. Clothing was trailing behind her.

Ms Maggie 😊
Q-what city do you live?
I notice u said u don't drive & I want a place to live where I don't have to drive
I can walk /bus
How can I reach u meet up for Fellowship I will be to Panama December

Hi lovely lady, I'm a black senior male here in California. Im strongly considering a Panama move. Guys need this info also so i subscribed. Info has no gender🎉

I got robbed in USA many times , it’s whorse here

I was attacked in a “safe” part of Santa Fe, NM in the middle of day in January 2017. I am feisty and fought back…got dragged and injured…lost ALL of my ID and made the news. Crime is rampant here too.

I'm wondering if any banks have the service to freeze your cards when not in use

Thank God You got your money back, I’ve experienced robbery where I didn’t get anything back and what made it worse is was an ex- boyfriend looking over my shoulder and remembering the pin# on my atm card. 😢😢😢

Watched. Age 63. Subscribed ❤

Sorry to hear that this happened to you. I don't know if it's still happening but there was a gang of girls going around NYC stealing women's purses when they were riding the bus. If a woman had her bag sitting on her lap one of them would pour water on her head and when she reached up in surprise to touch her hair one of the robbers would grab her purse. I guess if the strap is too short to wear your purse as a crossbody bag try to sit near the window and tuck the bag in between your body and the wall

I am a native NYer...you lost me at the wallet in the backpack. So sorry for your experience.

yes! I would love to participate in a live! Trying ti gather as much information as i can about streaming, vloging and Panama! keen up the good work!

Maggie, you have such a great sense of humor……I’m a gringa who lives in New Mexico and I LOVE 🌿 cilantro

I plan to visit for a scouting trip early next year. I’m watching your content for advice on navigating this new place.

Hi I’m a new subbie. Great information. Love your personality 🤗🤗

I hate cilantro also.

Hey I'm coming to Panama I'm looking meet fellow African Americans for 30 days to start my process of permanent residency

Have you ever experienced a similar situation while living or traveling abroad? Share your stories and safety tips in the comments below. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon to stay updated with our latest videos.