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

Helpful resources for Orange County

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Orange County

found E

Found shopping bags near South Coast Plaza.

I was walking out of South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa around 10:30 this morning when I spotted a bundle of shopping bags tucked behind a planter by the entrance to the South Parking structure. They looked like they had been left in a hurry, with a striped tote peeking out and a grocery receipt fluttering at the top. My heart went out to the person who might be worried they’d disappeared, so I picked them up and brought them to the security desk to be sure they were safe. If these bags belong to you, I hope this helps reunite you with your things soon.

near the South Coast Plaza valet area, Costa Mesa 11 days ago

found M

found travel adapters in Orange County, California

Hi, I'm Maya Rodriguez. I found travel adapters on a bench near the Irvine Spectrum Center in Orange County, California, around 2:45 p.m. last Sunday. They were tangled in a blue pouch with a small world-map print and a few USB-C adapters sticking out. It looked like someone had been traveling light and left them behind in the hustle of a busy afternoon. I tucked them safely away and posted here in hopes the owner sees it. If these adapters are yours, retrace your steps from that spot and remember what you carried in your bag on that trip.

near the Irvine Spectrum Center 3 months ago

found L

Ivory king-size duvet with LM monogram

I found this ivory king-size duvet cover set this afternoon around 2:15pm in the South Coast Plaza parking structure, near the Nordstrom entrance in Costa Mesa, Orange County. It's a soft cotton sateen, comes with two matching pillow shams, and looks barely used. The duvet has a light gray monogram 'LM' stitched in the top corner and a tiny snag along the inner seam. It smells clean and is in excellent condition otherwise. Bedding like this can be sentimental or expensive, so I’d hate to see it go to someone who doesn’t need it—if it’s yours, I’d be glad to help get it back.

Orange County 4 months ago

found P

Keys with panda charm found near South Coast Plaza

Found a set of keys this afternoon around 3:15pm in the parking lot behind South Coast Plaza on Bristol Street in Costa Mesa, Orange County. There’s a blue silicone tag with a small panda charm and a slightly dented brass key that sticks a bit, plus a red carabiner holding everything together. One of the keys has a tiny chip on the head, and there’s a USB drive keychain dangling from the ring. If these are yours, I’d really like to help you get them back.

Orange County 4 months ago

found P

Blue North Face backpack with panda sticker

I found a blue North Face backpack this afternoon around 2:30 pm in the parking lot behind the Irvine Spectrum Center on Irvine Center Drive in Irvine, Orange County. It's in decent condition, a bit dusty from the lot, with a panda sticker on the front pocket and a small tear at the bottom edge. Inside I spotted a red composition notebook and a blue water bottle in the side mesh pocket. I know backpacks like this can hold important stuff, and I'd really like to help reunite it with its owner. If this sounds like yours, message me here and we can arrange a quick meetup near the Spectrum Center.

Orange County 5 months ago

found A

Black Ray-Ban glasses with initials found at South Coast Plaza

I found a pair of glasses this afternoon around 3:15pm outside the Nordstrom entrance at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, Orange County. They’re black rectangular frames with clear lenses, probably Ray-Ban. The right temple has a tiny silver engraving 'A.N.' and there’s a small scratch along the bottom edge of the left lens. They’re in decent condition overall, just a bit grimy from the day. If these are yours, message me with the initials on the temple or the little scratch so we can arrange pickup. I know how it feels to misplace something important—hope to get them back to you soon.

Orange County 6 months ago