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 Worcester / Central MA? 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 Worcester / Central MA; 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 Worcester / Central MA with enough detail for the real owner to identify it — while holding back one verifying detail.

Helpful resources for Worcester / Central MA

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Worcester / Central MA

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FOUND scarf near Union Station, Worcester

I found a soft gray scarf with a burgundy fringe after a chilly morning walk in downtown Worcester. It sat on a bench near Union Station around 10:15 a.m. today, so I picked it up and brought it inside the Worcester Public Library lobby to keep it safe. The scarf looks well cared for, and it carries a faint lavender scent from someone’s favorite perfume. I hope the owner sees this post and knows it’s safe and waiting here.

Union Station area, near the Main Street entrance. 6 days ago

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Found chokers in Worcester, Central MA.

While walking along Worcester's Main Street on Tuesday at around 6:30 p.m., I found a cluster of chokers tossed onto a bench near the Worcester Public Library. They're black velvet with a few silver clasps and tiny charms that catch the streetlamp glow. A couple of them still have a tiny red thread from the packaging. I picked them up, tucked them into my jacket pocket for safety, and left them on the library bench with a note that someone might be looking for them. The damp air and the glow from the storefronts made me think of the people who chose these pieces to finish an outfit for a night out. If these are yours, please check the site so we can reunite them.

bench by Worcester Public Library, Main Street about 1 month ago

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Found dog collars near Worcester Common, Worcester MA

I was walking along Main Street near Worcester Common at 6:30 PM last Tuesday when I spotted a bundle of dog collars tucked under a bench. Some had bright colors, others were plain, and one had a small bone-shaped tag. It looked like they belonged to a dog that a loving owner is probably worried about. I held onto them for a moment and hoped the rightful owner would see this listing soon.

near Worcester Public Library, Main St about 2 months ago

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Found sculptures in Worcester, Central Massachusetts.

I was walking home through Worcester Canal District around 6:20 PM last Friday when I spotted a sturdy tote left unattended on a bench near the Worcester Art Museum. Inside, I found several sculptures: a bronze bust, two carved wooden figures, and a small stone eagle. They looked handmade and valuable, so I carried the bag to the downtown lost-and-found and waited for the owner to claim them. The moment felt like a small, hopeful puzzle coming together, and I am glad to be the person who found them rather than letting them drift away in the crowd.

Sentimental

near Union Station 2 months ago

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FOUND Travel Adapters near Union Station, Worcester

On a misty Saturday morning around 9:40 a.m., I found a small leather pouch containing travel adapters under a bench by the main entrance of Union Station in downtown Worcester. A spare USB-C cable and a faded boarding tag were tucked inside. It looked like a traveler’s kit, left on a seat as trains hummed by. I handed it to the station staff and hoped the owner sees this post.

Sentimental

near Union Station, Main Street 2 months ago

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Found trading cards near Union Station, Worcester

Hi, I’m Grace Mitchell. I found a bundle of trading cards lying on the sidewalk outside Union Station in Worcester around 7:40 p.m. yesterday, as I was leaving the Worcester Public Library. The stack looked like a kid’s collection—sports cards, a handful of Pokémon-style cards, and a loose sleeve with a few edge-worn pieces. I tucked them into a tote and kept watch for someone who might be asking for them. I know how important those little stacks can be, so I’m hoping to reunite them with their owner. If these are yours, please check the site for next steps.

Union Station area, Worcester, Lincoln Square 3 months ago