Office of Security, Safety and Risk Management
Suspicious Package
If you receive or discover a suspicious package or device:
DO NOT TOUCH IT, TAMPER WITH IT, OR MOVE IT!
IMMEDIATELY CALL “0” FROM A CAMPUS PHONE OR 740-587-6777 FROM A CELL PHONE* OR OFF-CAMPUS PHONE.
*Do not use a cell phone within 300 feet of the suspicious package.
What constitutes a suspicious letter or parcel?
Some typical characteristics which ought to 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• Are addressed to someone no longer with your organization or are otherwise outdated.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.
What to do if you receive a suspicious package or parcel:
• Handle with care. Do not shake or bump.
• Isolate it immediately.
• Don’t open, smell, touch, or taste.
• Treat it as suspect: contact Security immediately.