What to do if…
you see a stranger checking door numbers or mailboxes in your building

What to do now

1. Get to a safer position. Step inside your unit and lock the door, or move to a staffed public spot such as the lobby, front desk, leasing office, or security desk without drawing attention.
2. Secure the entry behind you. If you were entering or leaving, make sure the main door closes and latches. Do not let the person follow you through a controlled-access door.
3. Notify building management or security. Call the front desk, property manager, leasing office, or security and report the floor, hallway, mail area, and what you saw.
4. Give clear observations, not guesses. Say what the person was doing, such as checking door numbers, reading mailboxes, asking for a specific unit, trying handles, carrying tools or bags, or pressuring residents for access. Include clothing, direction of travel, and last known location if you know them.
5. Call 911 for immediate danger or an active crime. Call if they are forcing a door or mailbox, trying handles, making threats, showing a weapon, stalking someone, entering a restricted area, or refusing to leave after being told to by staff. Give your exact address, floor, best entrance, and whether responders need a code or staff access.
6. Use your local non-emergency police route if it is suspicious but not urgent. Look up the official website for your local police department or city and use its non-emergency number or online reporting option. Some places offer 311, but it is local and not available everywhere.
7. If they knock, keep the barrier. Do not open the door. If you choose to respond, say through the door: “I cannot help. Please contact the resident you are looking for or the building office.” Then stop engaging.
8. If you suspect mailbox tampering or mail theft, report it from safety. Call 911 if it is happening now. If it is not active, report suspected mail theft or mail-related crime to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
9. Document only from a safe place. Write down the time, location, what happened, and who you contacted. Only take a photo or video if you can do it safely from inside your unit or another safe area without approaching.
10. Ask management for a building-wide safety reminder. Ask them to remind residents not to grant access to unknown people and to report tailgating, door-checking, or mailbox tampering promptly.