Suspicious Letter or Package
Procedures and Guidelines
If you receive mail that appears dangerous, trust your instincts and report it.
Suspicious Letter or Package Indicators
- Excessive postage and/or weight
- Misspellings of common words
- Rigid envelope
- Foreign mail, airmail, or special delivery
- Handwritten or poorly typed mailing address
- Restrictive markings such as “confidential” or “personal”
- Excessive securing: uses excess amounts of masking tape, string, etc.
- Incorrect titles, or titles without names present
- Oily stains or discoloration
- Visual distractions
- Lopsided or uneven
- No return address
- Protruding wires or tinfoil
Suspicious Package Response Procedures
- Remain calm.
- Get to a safe location to notify law enforcement immediately by calling dialing LU Emergency Communications at (434) 592-3911 or 911.
- Move people away from the package and limit access to the area.
- DO NOT move or open the package.
- DO NOT investigate too closely.
- DO NOT cover, insulate, or place the package into a cabinet or drawer.
- Clear the area and report to the building’s emergency assembly area.
Pranks and Hoaxes
The university and law enforcement authorities take postal threats very seriously. Pranks or hoaxes involving false threats of biological agents or acts of terror disrupt lives and the university’s sense of normalcy, create serious safety concerns, and tax valuable university and community resources. They create illegitimate alarm in a time of legitimate concern. Any individual found responsible for such acts will be subject to university disciplinary action, up to and including separation from the university, as well as prosecution under State and Federal law.