Australian passport, blue cover with coat of arms
Description
I lost my Australian passport yesterday around 3pm after a quick coffee run near Flinders Street Station in Melbourne, Victoria. It's a standard navy blue passport with the coat of arms on the front and my photo page marked by a tiny coffee spill on the back page. There's a small dent in the bottom-right corner of the data page and a faint pencil signature on the inside cover—that's how I tell it's mine. This passport is essential for an upcoming visa appointment and has a lot of sentimental value because it was my first big post-pandemic trip. If someone found it, please drop it at the Victoria Lost & Found desk near Federation Square or at the GPO on Bourke Street; I’d be forever grateful.
Approximate last-seen location
Pin shows an approximate area, not the exact spot — to protect privacy.
How to safely get your item back
A short checklist to protect you and the item during the handoff.
Verify the finder before meeting
- Ask them to describe a detail not shown in your listing, such as an engraving, scratch, or contents.
- Request a clear photo of the item from an angle you did not post.
- Do not pay any release, shipping, or storage fee.
- Do not share your full address until you have verified them.
Meet in a safe, public place
- Police stations, café entrances, transport hubs, and shop foyers all work.
- Meet during daylight hours where there is CCTV and foot traffic.
- Avoid private homes, car parks at night, or isolated locations.
Bring someone with you
- Tell a friend or family member where you are meeting and when.
- Share your live location with them during the handoff.
- For high-value items, consider contacting your local police station for advice first.
Keep communication on lostandfound.io
- Use the in-app message thread so there is a record if something goes wrong.
- Do not move to WhatsApp, SMS, or email until you have exchanged a verifying detail.
- Never share bank details, government ID numbers, or copies of your ID.