How To Identify Suspicious Packages/Letters

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  • Excessive postage 
  • Handwritten or poorly typed addresses 
  • Incorrect titles or names 
  • Title, but no name 
  • Misspellings of common words 
  • Oily stains, discolorations or odor 
  • No return address 
  • Lopsided or uneven envelope 
  • Excessive security measures such as masking tape, string, etc. 
  • Marked with restrictive endorsements such as 'Personal' or 'Confidential' 
  • Shows a city or state in the postmark that does not match the return address 
     If you encounter what you believe may be a suspicious package, do not handle it. Leave the immediate area of the item and call the Henry County Sheriff's Office at 309-937-3911, or the non-emergency number for your local Police Department or Sheriff's Office. If you have handled the item, wash your hands with soap and water and call your Sheriff's Office or local Police Department. In either case, keep everyone else away from the immediate area of the item. Do not call 9-1-1 for suspicious mail, use the non-emergency numbers listed in your phone book.