Detecting Suspicious Packages or Letters
Use caution when opening personal or business mail-open mail only from known correspondents.
If a mail piece appears out of the ordinary or you do not recognize who sent it to you, INVESTIGATE THE SENDER BY CONTACTING THEM regarding the mail piece (use return address or call information -411).
You do not have to open the item. You can throw it away!
Biological Agents Via the Mail
What You Need to Know
- There are 208 billion pieces of mail delivered in the U.S. each year. 680 million pieces each day.
- There were 178 biological or chemical threats or hoaxes in 1999-2000 in the U.S.
- Most common locations: courthouses, abortion clinics, churches, schools, and post offices.
Mail Room Security Procedures
- Identify a single point of contact to open mail.
- If possible DO NOT open mail in area where other personnel are present.
- Have appropriate gloves available for individual use.
- Screen all mail for suspicious packages.
Characteristics of a Letter or Package:
- Any unusual powdery substance exists on the outside (the publishing industry commonly uses a light coating of cornstarch on the covers and pages of glossy magazines and other printed materials--this is safe).
- 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- Are addressed to someone no longer with your organization or are otherwise outdated.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 cannot 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.
Anthrax incidents on the east coast in 2001 did not fit many of the characteristics listed above. Be alert and aware of what is around you. The very nature of terrorism suggests that there may be little or no warning. Take precautions and be aware of suspicious or unusual behavior.
For more history and information on chemical and biological weapons visit the following web sites:
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