What
constitutes a suspicious letter or parcel?
Some
typical characteristics that should trigger suspicion include
letters or parcels that:
-
Have
any powdery substance on the outside
-
Are
unexpected or from someone unfamiliar to you
-
Have
excessive postage, handwritten or poorly typed address, incorrect
titles or titles with no name, or misspellings of common words
-
Are
addressed to someone no longer with your organization or are
otherwise outdated
-
Have
no return address, or have one that can't be verified as legitimate
-
Are
of unusual weight, given their size, or are lopsided or oddly
shaped
-
Have
an unusual amount of tape
-
Are marked with restrictive endorsements, such as "Personal"
or "Confidential."
-
Have
strange odors or stains
Handling
of Suspicious Packages or Envelopes
-
Do
not shake or empty the contents of a suspicious package or
envelope
-
Do
not carry the package or envelope, show it to others, or allow
others to
examine it
-
Put
the package or envelope on a stable surface; do not sniff,
touch, taste, or
look closely at it or any contents that may have spilled
-
Alert
others in the area about the suspicious package or envelope.
Leave the
area, close any doors, and take actions to prevent others
from entering the
area. If possible, shut off the ventilation system
-
Wash
hands with soap and water to prevent spreading potentially
infectious material to face or skin. Seek additional instructions
for exposed or potentially exposed persons
-
If
at work, notify a supervisor, a security officer, or a law
enforcement official.
If at home, contact the local law enforcement agency
-
If
possible, create a list of persons who were in the room or
area when this suspicious letter or package was recognized
and a list of persons who also
may have handled this package or letter. Give the list to
both the local public
health authorities and law enforcement officials
Additional
information is available on the Postal Service's official web
site at http://www.USPS.com
Page updated
9-3-04
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