lostandfound.io
Helping reunite people with what matters

How lostandfound.io reunites people with what matters

A simple, community-powered way to report lost items and return found ones, with built-in safety, alerts, and matching.

Free
to post any listing
Private
contact details never shared
Minutes
to post and go live
I lost something I found something

Two paths, one goal

Pick the side that matches you. Each takes about a minute to start.

If you lost something

3 steps to reunion

  1. 1

    Create a detailed listing

    Post your lost item with photos, the location and time you lost it, and any unique markings. The more detail, the higher the match rate.

    • Multiple photos from different angles
    • Exact location and time
    • Unique markings or engravings
  2. 2

    Your community searches for you

    Your listing goes live to people in your area. We surface it alongside matching found reports so the right person can spot it.

    • Indexed within minutes
    • Shown next to matching found items
    • Email alerts when someone replies
  3. 3

    Connect and arrange pickup

    When someone contacts you, chat through our private messaging, verify the match, and arrange a safe handover.

    • Messaging with no contact details shared
    • Verify with a withheld detail
    • Meet in a public place
“Found my dog's collar in 2 days — the match alert was magic.”
— Sarah
Report a lost item Browse lost listings

If you found something

3 steps to reunion

  1. 1

    Search before you post

    Check existing lost listings first. There's a good chance someone is already searching for the item you found.

    • Search by item type, brand, and colour
    • Filter by status and date
    • Browse your local area
  2. 2

    Post what you found and withhold one detail

    Create a found listing with photos, but keep one identifying detail private. Only the true owner will know it.

    • Don't show ID cards or phone contacts
    • Withhold an engraving or contents
    • Pick the right category
  3. 3

    Verify and return safely

    Ask any claimant to describe the detail you withheld. When it matches, arrange a handover in a busy, public location.

    • Verify the secret detail first
    • Bring a friend if possible
    • Choose daytime, public meeting spots
“Returned a wallet to its owner the same evening I posted it.”
— James
Post what you found Search for the owner

What happens after you post

You're not just shouting into the void. Here's the timeline.

  1. 1 Now

    Listing goes live

    Indexed and visible in your area within seconds.

  2. 2 Within minutes

    Surfaced to the community

    We show your listing alongside matching reports in the opposite category.

  3. 3 Ongoing

    Future matches

    New listings keep appearing in your area — check back and reply to anyone who reaches out.

Safety first

Stay safe when meeting up

A handful of simple rules that keep our community safe.

  • Meet in public

    Always arrange handovers in busy, public, daytime locations.

  • Never send money

    Genuine owners and finders never ask for payment to release an item.

  • Bring a friend

    Where possible, bring someone with you to the meet.

  • Use private messaging

    Don't share your phone number or email until you've verified the match.

  • Withhold one detail

    When posting a found item, keep one identifying detail private.

  • Trust your instincts

    If something feels off, walk away and report the user to our team.

Frequently asked questions

Everything we get asked the most, with straight answers.

How much does it cost to post a listing?

Posting a lost or found listing is completely free. There's no charge to reach the community in your area.

How long does my listing stay live?

Your listing stays live until you remove it or the item is resolved. You can edit or delete it at any time from the listing page.

What happens if no one contacts me?

We keep surfacing new listings in the opposite category (lost ↔ found) to the community. If nothing turns up early on, widen your reach with more photos, more detail, and a broader description.

How do I know a claimant is genuine?

When you post a found item, withhold one identifying detail (an engraving, scratch, or the contents). Anyone claiming the item must describe that detail before you arrange a handover. Always meet in a public place.

Is my contact information shared?

No. Conversations happen through lostandfound.io's privacy-preserving messaging, which forwards emails without revealing either party's address. Your email and phone number are never shown to other users.

Should I contact the police?

lostandfound.io is a community platform — we don't contact authorities on your behalf. For valuable items (passports, wallets, electronics) we recommend also filing a report with your local police.

Ready to find what you're looking for?

Whichever side you're on, your post takes about a minute and reaches the community in your area.

Report a lost item Browse found items