Urge family members, friends and coworkers to use caution when opening mail and packages.
Be suspicious of letters or packages that are:
- unexpected or from someone you do not know
- not addressed to a specific person
- addressed to someone no longer at the address
- addressed haphazardly, with misspellings
- handwritten with an unreadable return address, or lacking a return address
- lopsided or lumpy, or that have protruding wires or other unusual contents visible
- postmarked from a city that does not match the return address
- marked with restrictive endorsement, such as “personal" or “confidential"
- stamped with excessive postage
- improperly addressed, with incorrect titles or with titles lacking names
- soiled or stained
- leaking powdery substances
- marked with threatening language
- emitting a strong odor
- excessively heavy
- giving off ticking or electronic sounds
What should you do with suspicious mail?
- Do not shake, sniff, touch, taste or look closely at a suspicious package.
- Do not carry the package elsewhere, show it to others, or allow others to touch it.
- If it is already in your hands when you become suspicious, gently place it on a stable surface and do not handle it further.
- Alert others nearby and leave the area with them.
- Close any doors, and prevent others from entering the area.
- If possible, shut off the ventilation system to prevent spread of any contaminants the package may contain.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling a suspicious package.
Notify law enforcement officials immediately.
Depending on the level of threat and concern, call either 911 or the non-emergency number for the Sacramento County Sheriff or your municipal police department.
