The office of the Department of Public Safety
Quinn Administration Building
Plaza Level

Phone Numbers:
Campus phone call 911
c: 617-287-1212

Suspicious Mail, Packages, Materials

If you receive or observe a suspicious piece of mail, package or material:

• Do not move, open, cover, touch, taste, smell or interfere with the suspicious item.
• Move people away from suspicious item.
• Avoid contaminating other areas and people.
• Immediately call UMass Boston Public Safety from a safe location. Call 911 from a campus phone or 617-287-1212 from a cell phone.
• Be prepared to describe the item, its location, and other relevant events you may have observed.
• Give your name and phone number.
• Follow UMass Boston Public Safety instructions.

Characteristics of a suspicious piece of mail or package that is received unexpectedly or is unknown may include:

• excessive postage
• any powdery substance on the outside
• misspellings of common words
• excessive weight
• rigid envelope
• arrival via foreign mail, air mail or special delivery
• handwritten or poorly typed address-addressed to someone no longer with organization
• restrictive markings such as "confidential" or "personal," etc.
• an excessive amount of securing material used, such as masking tape or string
• incorrect titles
• oily stains or discolorations, strange odors
• visual distractions
• lopsided or uneven writing
• titles but no names
• no return address
• protruding wires or foil