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 Atlanta? 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 Atlanta; 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 Atlanta with enough detail for the real owner to identify it — while holding back one verifying detail.

Helpful resources for Atlanta

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Atlanta

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Found Xylophones near Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta, GA

FOUND: I’m Maya Collins. I found two xylophones this morning around 9:30 a.m. near Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, left behind on a bench by the fountain on Courtland Street. They’re wooden with painted keys, strapped in a blue nylon case with a sticker that reads 'Atlanta School of Music.' I didn’t want to move them far, so I stood by the park entrance and checked with passersby, but no owner appeared. I’ve put them here in case the owner sees this and can identify them by the case and the sticker.

beside the fountain at Centennial Olympic Park 6 days ago

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Found: Travel Visas near Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta

Today at about 9:15 AM, I found a folder with travel visas tucked under a bench near Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta. The pages fluttered in the light breeze, and a small photo peeked out from a corner of the official-looking green folder. It’s clear these documents are urgent and important, so I held onto them and brought them here to post this listing. If you’re the owner, you’ll recognize the stamp and the worn edge of the folder.

Sentimental

near Peachtree Center MARTA Station about 1 month ago

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Found sheet music in Atlanta

I found a stack of sheet music on the sidewalk outside the Fox Theatre on Peachtree Street in Midtown Atlanta today, around 4:10 p.m. The pages are a bit creased, with a few pencil notes and a rehearsal schedule tucked inside. It seems clearly treasured—maybe someone was practicing for a performance or a class assignment—so I left it where I found it, hoping the owner is nearby. I’m sure the owner will recognize the pieces and feel relief at their return.

outside the Fox Theatre, Peachtree St. about 2 months ago

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Found Nintendo Switch with neon Joy-Cons in black case

I found a Nintendo Switch this afternoon around 2:15pm near Centennial Olympic Park, outside the CNN Center on Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW. It's a Nintendo Switch with neon red and blue Joy-Cons, tucked into a black silicone case with a small star sticker on the back. The screen has a light scratch and there’s a cracked screen protector, plus a bright blue grip on the left Joy-Con. I left it at the CNN Center security desk so the owner can ID it by the sticker and roughly when you last played it; I know how much these mean to a gamer and I’m hoping to get it back to its owner soon.

Atlanta 4 months ago

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Found silver Seiko watch with blue strap

I found a silver Seiko watch this morning around 10:15am in the parking lot behind Ponce City Market along the BeltLine in Atlanta. The watch has a stainless steel 42mm case, black dial with white markers, and a blue fabric strap. There's a small scratch on the bezel at 2 o'clock and initials 'AL' engraved on the back. It seems in good working order, and I'm hoping to help the owner get it back.

Atlanta 4 months ago

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Found iPhone 12 with mint green case

I found a digital iPhone 12 this morning around 9:15 am along the BeltLine Eastside Trail near Piedmont Park, right at the Monroe Drive/10th Street corner in Midtown Atlanta. It's in a mint green silicone case and has a cracked bottom edge; the screen shows a Braves wallpaper and a small cat sticker on the lock screen—pretty distinctive. I couldn't unlock it, so I couldn't call or message, but the device seems important and maybe sentimental. If you’re missing an iPhone 12 with that case, please reach out so I can get it back to you.

Atlanta 5 months ago