How to Help Return Lost Items

When you lose an item of personal or monetary value, you hope someone honest finds it and returns it to you. You can be that honest person and help someone else find what they have lost. Use these tips to do the right thing and help return lost items to their owners.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Post the item online at a local website in your area. Make sure you give a few details but not too many. You want the owner to find your ad, but you don't want random people trying to claim the object.

2. Write an ad using text like this, "Lost dog found in New York area," or "Lost wallet found in Manhattan area." You aren't giving too many details so owners will have to identify the dog or the wallet in great detail to prove they are the owner. The dog owner should have photos of the dog; a dog will also recognize its owner and get excited when you meet.

3. Visit a vet, pet grooming shop or local pet store if you find a lost animal. The store owners may recognize the pet. A vet can see if the animal has an identifying chip imbedded in its skin. Call the humane society or animal agency to say you have a lost animal because owners often call these agencies.

4. Check inside purses or wallets for any identifying information. Locate the owner using the information inside or place it into a mailbox. The post office will return it to its owner.

5. Call someone on a cell phone contact list if you find a cell phone. Check the address book and call someone on the list. Press redial if you find a home telephone. When someone answers, tell them you found a phone with their number on it and say you are trying to locate the owner. Mention where you found the phone because it may help the caller identify the owner of the phone.

6. Take the item the police station if you find something of great value like a ring or a passport. You don't want those items to go to the wrong person. The police may be able to locate the owner.