Suspicious Mail CharacteristicsMail should be considered suspicious if meets some of the following requirements:
- No return address, or return address differs from postmark
- Foreign postmarks and writing, or misspelled words
- Addressed to title only or wrong title with name
- Marked personal, confidential, private, special delivery, or do not x-ray, etc.
- Excessive postage
- Peculiar odors (such as shoe polish or almonds)
- Oily stains, ink stains, discoloration, or crystallization of wrapper
- Wires, strings, or foil sticking out
- Excessive tape or sealing material or inner sealed enclosure
- Items containing a powder-like or unusual substance
- Unusual or abnormal shape, size, or weight
- Lopsided or uneven, rigid or bulky
- Don't open, touch, move, shake, or immerse in water any suspicious packages or letters.
- Don't cut tape, strings, or other wrappings.
- Don't taste or smell package or its contents.
- Do report all suspicious packages and letters to the authorities.
- Do wash your hands immediately after handling the mail.
- If suspicious mail is believed to be a bomb, evacuate the building and call 911.
- If suspicious mail is believed to contain a chemical or biological agent isolate the area and those exposed. If exposed wash hands and exposed skin with warm soapy water. Call 911.
- If suspicious mail is believed to contain a radiological threat, evacuate the area and call 911.