Loss prevention
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
List a friend's or family member's phone number on your lock screen instead of your own.
Finders can call the working number to pass the phone back to you.
- Scammers may dupe emergency contacts into sending money.
- This method can facilitate phone break-in once stolen.
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- Display your email address on your phone's lock screen to allow finders to contact you electronically.4
Place contact details, such as a phone number, email, or business cards, inside your wallet to help with return if lost.
It makes it easier for finders to contact you without the intrusion of visiting an address.
- This method is less effective if you are traveling far from home or in regions where lost property recovery systems are unreliable.
- Post offices may return wallets but keep any cash found inside.
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- Make a separate list of all credit cards and items in your wallet, including lost/stolen phone numbers, and store it outside the wallet.1
- Place a sticker containing your contact details on or inside your phone case.4
Do not keep swipe or club cards on your keychain.
Lost keys can lead to stolen cars or electronics, and many major grocery chains will not allow strangers to swipe cards to contact owners.
- Some suggest taking swipe cards to stores to contact owners, but employees report this is not true for most major chains.
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Include a spouse's first name in the 'if found' section of your lock screen message.
It helps verify the caller's intent when strangers contact the listed number.
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Attach a library card key ring tag with a barcode to your keys.
Finders can return them to a nearby library without needing direct access to you.
- Effectiveness depends on how local and populous the area is.
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Pat yourself down before leaving any area you have been in for more than five minutes.
This habit has saved phones, wallets, and keys many times.
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- Designate a single, consistent spot (like a helmet, basket, or desk area) to place keys, wallet, and phone when arriving home or leaving a room.2
If you lose your phone, send a text message from a friend's phone stating 'if found then call [friend's number]'.
One person reported getting their phone back the next morning after doing this.
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- Write down 'if found please call' and your companion's phone number, photograph it, and set the photo as your lock screen.1
Never put your home address on house keys.
To avoid the risk of getting robbed.
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Buy pants with pockets to reduce the risk of losing wallets.
One person never lost their wallet again after switching from purses to pants with pockets.
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Carry your lawyer's and physician's business cards on your person.
They are helpful if you get into trouble or arrested and cannot use your phone.
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Remove unnecessary items from your wallet, such as old library cards, receipts, and expired loyalty cards.
Keeping as little as possible means you only have to call a short list of companies if it gets stolen or lost.
- One user noted their old library card still works and might be needed when visiting their former town.
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- One approach that helped: stop using a wallet and keep only ID, one or two cards, and some cash in your pocket.1
Keep band-aids in your wallet, sandwiched between two other cards to keep them clean.
It comes in handy often.
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Take pictures of expensive jewelry.
In case it is ever lost or stolen.
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Attach stickers with non-address contact info, such as an email or phone number, to items.
It aids return if you are without the item and discourages theft by not providing an address.
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Update the address on your driver's license to prevent mail from going to previous owners.
Otherwise, new homeowners may receive your wallet.
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Carry a cheap non-smartphone to festivals or high-risk environments while leaving your primary smartphone at home.
Nothing valuable is lost if you lose the cheap phone, and it helps you experience the event more intensely.
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Rename the volume label of your USB device to your cellphone number.
Some computers do not recognize flash drive names internally, but the volume label is visible when plugged in, allowing finders to contact you.
- Some computers may not recognize flash drive names.
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Encode sensitive account numbers or PINs in your wallet using a personal cipher, such as dates, weights, or shopping lists, so that only you can decode them.
It obscures the data from casual observers.
- The code may be easy to figure out.
- If someone cracks one code, they may work out the system for all entries.
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Scan the front and back of all important cards, including credit and ID cards, and store the images digitally.
You will have access to card numbers and customer service phone numbers in an emergency.
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Check recent text messages on a found unlocked phone for context before attempting to return it.
Messages may reveal dangerous situations, such as requests for illegal items, prompting you to turn off location services and drop the device at a carrier store instead.
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When handing car keys to mechanics, provide only door and ignition keys, excluding house or work keys.
Employees at mechanic shops may copy keys and write down addresses from registration documents.
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To safely inspect a found USB drive, boot from a Linux Live CD or USB, or ensure Windows autorun is disabled and avoid clicking any pop-ups.
Viruses are often written for Windows, so using Linux is safer; recent Windows versions may not auto-run if you do not click anything.
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Sign your credit cards properly rather than writing 'See ID', as unsigned cards may be considered invalid.
Cards are technically invalid if not signed, and writing 'See ID' is meaningless.
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Carry only essential cards (debit, credit, ID) and remove rarely used store or insurance cards.
You can access most other cards via phone number or app when needed.
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Name your USB drive uniquely to aid identification.
A unique name makes it easier to track down.
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Do not carry sensitive personal information such as birth dates, blood types, or mother's maiden names in your wallet.
Thieves can use this data if your wallet is stolen; hospitals will type blood before transfusion regardless of what is written on cards, and EMTs look for allergy bracelets rather than exact birth dates.
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Keep a photo of commonly lost items on your phone to prove ownership or provide an accurate description.
One person reported that showing the photo to a lost and found attendant helped them retrieve their keys instantly.
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Memorize your passport information to avoid digging through bags when filling out immigration or arrival cards.
Having to dig for passports while filling out forms for others is annoying.
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Wear a unique or distinctive coat to make it easily identifiable at coat check.
A unique description helps staff locate your item among similar ones.
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Use clear nail polish instead of tape to protect credit card signatures from wearing off.
It solves the problem of fading signatures without the risk of damaging devices or creating adhesive residue.
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