For finders
An informational guide for people who have found an item and need safe, practical next steps.
Finding someone else's property can raise an immediate question: what should you do with it?
Whether it is a phone, wallet, keys, bag, jewellery, or personal document, the safest approach is to protect the item, avoid exposing private information, and hand it to the right organisation.
Do not leave the item where it could be stolen, damaged, or exposed to weather. If you found it inside a venue, hotel, shop, university, station, workplace, or event space, hand it to staff as soon as possible.
Posting a photo can help in some situations, but avoid exposing personal data or information that could let the wrong person claim the item.
Do not post full names from ID cards.
Do not share bank card numbers or passport details.
Do not show addresses, phone numbers, or private messages.
Do not publish device lock screens or workplace passes.
The location and time are often the most useful details for matching an item to the owner. Tell staff where you found it, when you found it, and whether anyone nearby appeared to be looking for it.
For items found at a business, venue, campus, hotel, attraction, or event, the responsible organisation is usually the best first contact. For public spaces, check the relevant council, transport provider, or local police guidance.
FAQ
You should follow the guidance of the organisation or authority responsible for the location where the item was found. Do not assume an unclaimed item can be kept.
Be careful. Share only limited non-sensitive information and avoid photos or details that reveal private data or make false claims easier.
Hand it to the responsible organisation or follow official guidance from the issuer or relevant authority. Do not share identifying details publicly.
Related guides
These links connect each page to the closest related guide, so visitors can move from broad advice to the most relevant next step.
LostFoundHub
Give your team a clearer process for reports, found items, matching, returns, and status updates.
