Found an item? Your responsibilities

What to do when you find someone else's property — your responsibilities and how to return it safely.

Found something in Athens? Handling it responsibly protects both you and the owner. Rules vary by location, but the principles are consistent.

Make a reasonable effort to find the owner. Check for ID, contact details, or anything that identifies who it belongs to.
Don't assume it's yours to keep. Keeping found property without trying to return it can have legal consequences. When in doubt, hand it in.
Hand valuables to the authorities. Report significant or high-value finds to the police non-emergency line for Athens; they'll log it and may issue a reference.
Store it safely. Keep the item secure and unchanged while you try to return it.
Post a found listing. Add a found-item listing for Athens with enough detail for the real owner to identify it — while holding back one verifying detail.

Helpful resources for Athens

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Athens

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found GPS devices near the Arch, Athens

This afternoon around 2:15 p.m., I found several GPS devices sitting on a bench outside the Arch on North Campus. They were in a small black pouch with tangled cords, looking recently used. I stood there for a moment, imagining someone rushing to class who would be frantic to have them back. I’m sharing this here in case the owner recognizes the devices by the pouch and campus logo.

outside Arch on North Campus, Athens 7 days ago

found M

Found sheet music in downtown Athens, GA

I’m Maya Chen. I found this sheet music today around 11:20 a.m. on the steps outside the Tate Student Center on the University of Georgia campus, where College Avenue meets the Arch. The spine is worn, the pages flutter in the breeze, and there are pencil markings in the margins. It looks used, perhaps by a student chorus or a local pianist practicing in the quad. It felt like a small sign of someone’s practice and hope. I’m posting here in case the owner sees it.

Outside Tate Student Center on UGA campus about 2 months ago

found B

Found GA license plate with 2027 sticker

I found what I'm pretty sure of... a GA Tag/lisense plate, whatever...with year sticker good through 2027 that may have fallen off of a motorcycle with Clarke county on it because it's a small tag still on the mounting bracket which is in mint condition, new one not needed. The screws holding it on to the motorcycle should've been with lock nuts like the The plate screws are. $1,000,000,000.00 finders fee, required. Kidding of course!!! Email me at [email protected] and tell me the tag number and leave phone number. Lost I'd say around June 22nd or 23rd, found near my driveway next to road

Urgent

Athens 3 months ago

found J

Ring found in parking lot near Athens Target

Ring found in parking lot near Athens Target. Closer to old Michael’s/ Joann’s building.

Athens 3 months ago

found E

Found travel visas near the UGA Arch

I found a brown leather folder with travel visas peeking out on a bench outside the UGA Arch on Lumpkin Street, around 7:15 p.m. on Friday. A few stamps and a name were visible, folded papers wedged between receipts. I tucked the folder under my arm and headed to the campus lost-and-found, hoping the owner would see this post. It felt unexpectedly hopeful to reunite someone with such important documents after a long week of lectures and coffee spills. If these items sound familiar, please check with the campus lost-and-found desk near the student center.

Outside the UGA Arch on Lumpkin Street 3 months ago

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Found microwaves near Georgia Theatre on Broad Street.

I found two microwaves outside the Tate Student Center loading dock around 7:45 p.m. last Friday, Athens, Georgia. They sat on a metal cart near the exit, cords looping over the concrete. I asked a few late-studying neighbors and scanned the surrounding lounges, but no one claimed them. I turned them in to campus security with a note about where and when I found them. It stings to think someone might be missing their kitchen gear after a long lab, but I hope they come back to their home soon. If these are yours, they’re waiting at the campus security desk for pickup when you claim them on the site.

near the Tate Center, UGA campus 3 months ago