Lost items
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
Take a found wallet to the bank associated with the debit cards inside rather than mailing it to the address on the ID.
Bank records may be more current than the address on a driver's license.
- Some bankers refuse to accept wallets and refer people to the police.
- Banks may cancel the card but fail to contact the person.
4 people, independently
Expect a postage due fee if you mail a found ID without a stamp.
The post office returns it as 'postage due' or COD, charging the recipient.
2 people, independently
Put your email address or Twitter handle on your lock screen wallpaper so finders can contact you without unlocking the phone.
Finders can reach you directly.
- Only necessary if you don't have a second number available.
2 people, independently
Call your lost phone from a number not saved in your contacts so the lock screen displays the caller ID instead of a contact name.
This allows anyone who finds the phone to see the number and call back.
- Some suggest putting contact info directly on the lock screen is easier than coordinating through an unknown number.
one person who lived it
Keep your phone number inside your wallet.
It allows someone who finds your wallet to contact you directly.
one person who lived it
Turn a found locked phone in to its carrier so they can locate the owner using the serial number.
Carriers can identify the owner by the device's serial number.
one person who lived it
Add nicknames like 'Mom' or 'Dad' to parent contacts so Siri can recognize voice commands to call them.
This allows calling via voice command while keeping full names in the contact info.
one person who lived it
Consider dropping a found wallet off in person at a local police department instead of mailing it.
Police can help make contact with the owner if an address is present.
one person who lived it
Search for the owner online using Google or Facebook if you find a wallet.
one person who lived it
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Create an 'ICE' (In Case of Emergency) contact entry that can be called without unlocking the phone.
Emergency services or finders can reach a designated person.
one person who lived it
Do not turn off a lost phone, as this prevents tracking services from locating it.
one person who lived it
Bring a recovered handset to its carrier's corporate location; employees can typically extract the SIM to identify and reach the owner.
- Some carriers may refuse to help or claim they cannot do much.
5 people, independently
Contact organizations listed on cards in the wallet, such as universities or blood donor groups, to reach the owner.
These entities often have phone numbers on file and are preferable to straining free systems like hospitals.
one person who lived it
Recognize that allowing remote toggling of location services poses a security and privacy risk.
It allows others to track your every move.
one person who lived it
Put a second phone number on your phone's lock screen so staff or finders can contact you directly if the primary number is unavailable.
- Some staff may not attempt to find an owner if there is no contact info on the screen.
one person who lived it
Take photos of the surrounding area and the hiding spot of a found phone to help the owner locate it if they cannot retrieve identifying info immediately.
one person who lived it