HOLIDAY TRAVEL SAFETY | PROTECT YOUR HOME WHILE YOU'RE AWAY
With the holidays fast approaching, now is the time to take a few simple steps to help safeguard your home and property while you're traveling.  

Before You Go:

• Arrange for mail and packages to be held, picked up by a trusted neighbor or delivered to an Amazon Locker.
• Set exterior lights on automatic timers to turn on at dusk and off during daylight hours.
• Put interior lamps or radios on timers to make your home appear occupied. 
• Ask a neighbor to occasionally park their car in your driveway.
• Schedule a vacation security check by calling our non-emergency police dispatch center at 310-524-2760 at least one day before you leave. Be prepared to provide your address and travel dates, house-sitter information (if applicable), details about any vehicles that will be parked in your driveway, and your contact information. 

Day-Of Reminders:

• Double-check that all doors and windows are securely locked, including second-story windows.
• Keep shades and blinds in their normal positions to avoid signaling that your home is empty.
• Activate your alarm system before leaving.
• Move luggage quickly to your car or rideshare; lingering while loading can draw unwanted attention.

While You're Away:

• Avoid oversharing your travel plans. Keep details off social media and wait to post photos until you’re back home and remind your teens to do the same.

VEHICLE THEFT  
In November, vehicle thefts continued at a similar pace to the previous month. With the time change and earlier nightfall, remember to park smart by choosing well-lit areas, parking near security cameras, or when possible, parking inside your garage.   

UNRECOGNIZED CALL OR TEXT | PAUSE BEFORE YOU ANSWER, THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK
You receive a phone call or a text message from a number that you don’t recognize asking you to send money or click on a link, what should you do?

Do not engage in a conversation. Hang up immediately. Scammers often try to instill fear or urgency to pressure you into reacting and provide personal information. Many will also spoof their phone number to make it appear as though a trusted business or agency is calling. Never rely on caller ID or a number the caller provides.

If you receive a suspicious text, do not click any links or reply. Instead, log in to the business's official website or app using your normal method to check for alerts or recent activity.

Safety Tip: If you need to contact a business, look up the phone number yourself from a trusted source.  

Remember: These are not legitimate businesses contacting you. These are professional scammers with convincing stories designed to gain access to your bank accounts, retirement funds, or personal information. When in doubt, talk to a trusted friend or call one of our detectives at 310-524-2254 for guidance.