Playbook
Expat Scam and Privacy Playbook
Moving abroad means paying deposits to strangers, sending money across borders and relying on a phone number from home. This playbook shows you how to lock all of that down before you go, how to spot the scams aimed at newcomers, and what to do if one gets you.
USD 29PDF · 50 pages · instant download
Add the Cost-of-Living Budget Sheet for USD 15 at checkout.
01 What's inside
Six chapters you can act on
Before you move
A timeline from eight weeks out to your first 30 days: your phone number, accounts, credit freezes, documents and backups.
12 scams aimed at newcomers
How each one works, the red flags, and what to do instead, from fake rentals to "fund recovery" offers.
Money
Which payments can come back and which can't, paying someone for the first time, and big transfers.
If it happens
The first hour, who to report to, what the U.S. embassy can and can't do, and how to protect your credit.
Self-audit workbook
37 yes-or-no checks with a "fix this first" list, plus pages for your emergency contacts. It never asks for a password or a code.
The Philippines
Registering a SIM as a foreigner, the scams official sources warn about, and the official hotlines. More country chapters will follow.
02 Why this guide
Written by an investigator
- Every fact is sourcedStatistics, hotlines, laws and settings come from government and company sources, listed at the back and checked in September 2026.
- From 27 years in law enforcementI have worked in digital forensics since 2007 and have trained police cybercrime units overseas for 15 years.
- No affiliate linksNobody paid to be mentioned. Products appear only to explain their settings.
03 Add-on · USD 15
Cost-of-Living Budget Sheet
An Excel sheet for your monthly and one-time moving costs, with a filled-in Philippines example built from official price sources. Add it at checkout.
04 Questions
Before you buy
What do I get?
A PDF, US Letter size, 50 pages, that prints cleanly. The Budget Sheet is an Excel file that also opens in Google Sheets and Numbers.
How do I get it?
Right after you pay, Stripe sends you to your download page. Your links work for 7 days, so save the files. Stripe emails your receipt.
What if it isn't useful?
Email me within 14 days of your purchase and I'll refund you in full, no questions asked: waldrep.eric at gmail dot com.
Is this the same as my book Nomadic Cybersecurity?
No. The book covers security while you travel. The Playbook is about moving abroad and living there, with checklists and a workbook, and it doesn't repeat the book.
Is this legal or financial advice?
No. It's education only, not legal, tax, immigration or financial advice. Laws, fees and phone numbers change, so check the official source before you act.
What currency is the price in?
US dollars. Your card may show the charge in your local currency.