BACK-TO-SCHOOL | BICYCLE SAFETY & THEFT PREVENTION  
School is back in session! With more students riding bicycles and e-bikes to school, now is a great time to remind riders about bicycle security and theft prevention.

Please make sure your child arrives at school with enough time to properly secure their bicycle before the bell rings. Taking a few extra minutes to lock up properly can make a big difference in protecting their bike.

 Park Smart. Lock It Up.

• Use a high-quality lock and consider using two locks for added security.
• Secure your bike to a designated bike rack or fixed, immovable object.
• Make sure the frame is secured, not just the wheel.
• Avoid leaving valuables or easily removable accessories on the bike.
• Consider using a discreet tracking device for e-bikes.

Be Prepared

Keep a "bike passport" with your bicycle's serial number, photos, make, model, and receipt, and register your bicycle with the El Segundo Police Department.

MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT and THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE
There has been a decrease in both motor vehicle thefts and thefts from motor vehicles from June to July. While both incidents continue to trend at a similar rate, it’s important to remain proactive and take simple steps to protect your vehicle and belongings.

Always lock your vehicle, even when parked for a short time, and remove valuables from inside your vehicle, especially anything in plain view.

Thank you for doing your part to help keep our community safe!

THEFT BY DECEPTION | BEWARE OF FAKE INVOICES AND REFUND SCAMS
You receive an email or letter in the mail with an invoice claiming you purchased something you know you did not purchase. Your first instinct may be to call the phone number listed on the invoice to dispute the charge.

Pause before you act. Scammers often use fake invoices and refund schemes to trick you into sending them money or providing sensitive information.

Warning Signs | Be cautious if the message:

• Mentions sending a courier to your home to pick up money.
• Claims you were refunded the wrong amount and asks you to transfer the difference back.
• Instructs you to deposit or transfer money through Cash App or another payment service.
• Claims there is suspicious activity or a problem with your account.
• Requests personal, banking, credit card, or other financial information.
• Creates a sense of urgency and demands that you act immediately.
• Tells you not to discuss the situation with anyone else.

How to Protect Yourself

• Do not click on links or call the phone number provided in the message. Instead, log in to your account directly through the company’s official website or app and verify your recent purchases and account activity.
• If you need to contact a business, look up the company’s phone number yourself using a trusted source. Do not rely on the contact information provided in a suspicious email, letter, or text message.

Reminder: If something feels urgent, unusual, or suspicious, verify it before taking action. Talk with a trusted friend or family member, contact your bank or financial institution using a verified number, or reach out to one of our detectives at 310-524-2254 for assistance.