Suspicious Mail
Mailing Services works with the U.S. Postal Service, University Police, and Environmental Health & Safety to develop and train employees on safe mail handling procedures. If our staff identifies a suspicious piece of mail, we remove it from the mail stream. We then follow the guidelines below and immediately notify University Police. However, the volume of mail received by the University of Washington makes it impractical to screen each piece of mail, and it is important for anyone handling mail to be aware of safe mail handling procedures.
If you have any concerns about a suspicious piece of mail or package, call University Police at 911, or your local law enforcement.
- General Precautions for Mail Handling
- Examine unopened letters/parcels and look for suspicious features.
- Use letter opener to open mail.
- Avoid touching your skin, eyes, or other mucous membranes.
- Wash hands thoroughly with soapI and water when finished handling mail.
- Currently there is no indication for wearing gloves or mask while handling mail.
- Common Characteristics of Mail that Appears Suspicious
- Any powdery substance on the outside
- Excessive postage
- No return address, or one that can't be verified as legitimate
- CancellationI postmark may show a different location than the return address
- Misspelling of common words
- Excessive or uneven weight distribution
- Irregular shape, soft spots or bulges
- Marked with restrictive endorsements, such as "Personal" or "Confidential"
- Incorrect titles or titles but no names
- Poorly typed or handwritten addresses
- Has protruding wires, strange odors, powder, liquid stains or residue
- If the Mail is Suspicious
- Do not shake or try to open the mailpiece
- Place letter/parcel in clear "zipI lock" type plastic bag
- Isolate the letter/parcel without further handling
- Evacuate the immediate area
- Notify your supervisor
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Call University Police at 9-911 or your local law enforcement to report that you've received a suspicious letter/parcel in the mail
- When you call the University Police, be prepared to describe the letter/parcel in detail.
- If a Mailpiece is opened with Suspicious Contents or an Anthrax Threat
- Do not further handle the mail piece or package suspected of contamination.
- Evacuate the immediate area & prevent others from entering.
- Notify your supervisor.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Notify University Police at 9-911 or your local law enforcement.
- Ensure that all persons who have touched the mail piece wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- List all persons who have touched the letter and/or envelope. Include contact information. Provide the list to University Police.
- In the event there is evidence of possible hazardous materials present, those who came in contact with the suspicious mail will be asked to support law enforcement and public health investigations and participate in medical follow-up.
If you have concerns about your mail, more information can be found at:
