Home > Bomb Threats and Suspicious Packages

Bomb Threats and Suspicious Packages

Bomb Threats

Remain calm and obtain as much information as possible from the caller. Try to keep the caller on the phone and record every word. Use this Telephone Bomb Threat Checklist.
After the call, notify Public Safety or dial 9-1-1.

Handle the written letter as little as possible and call University Police.
If threat is an electronic message (e.g., Email, Text Message, or Social Media Post) do not open any EXE files or open any other links, pictures, or programs that may have been sent with the message. Do not delete the message, and call University Police. Law enforcement officials may want to view and investigate the message.
Delete the message only after reporting the threat and when directed to do so by a law enforcement official and/or the University’s Information Security Officer.

Under no circumstances should untrained faculty, staff, or students attempt to move or handle a suspicious letter, package, or device.

There may be liquid leaking from package.
They tend to have hand-applied postage.
They have excessive postage.
They are addressed to a position, not a person.
There may be no return address.
They are often handwritten or have a poorly typed address.
They tend not to be in business format envelopes.
There may be misspelling of common words.
They may have restrictive markings such as Confidential, Personal, etc.
They may have excessive weight and/or the feel of a powdery or foreign substance.
There may be foreign postmarks and/or writing.
The source of the letter/package is not recognized by recipient or the return address.

DO NOT open the letter or package.
DO NOT take the letter or package to others to look at, or ask others to come and look at the package.
Contact Police.
Remain at the site until Police arrive with instructions.

Last updated: 2/2/2021