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 Anchorage / Mat-Su? 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 Anchorage / Mat-Su; 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 Anchorage / Mat-Su with enough detail for the real owner to identify it — while holding back one verifying detail.

Helpful resources for Anchorage / Mat-Su

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Anchorage / Mat-Su

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Gray Nike running sneakers with neon orange laces

Found a pair of gray Nike running sneakers this afternoon around 4:15pm in the Dimond Center parking lot, near the East Dimond Boulevard entrance. They're men's size 9, with a gray mesh upper, neon orange laces, and a white sole that shows light wear. The left heel has a small blue stitched patch with the initials KP, and there's a tiny coffee-stain-like mark on the inside tongue. They look lightly worn but in good condition overall. I figured someone might be missing them and I'd be glad to help return them to their owner. Happy to return them!

Anchorage / Mat-Su 4 months ago

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Black Korg minilogue xd synth found near Dimond Center

I found a black Korg minilogue xd synthesizer this morning around 10:15am in the Dimond Center parking lot behind the food court, near the Dimond Blvd entrance. It's in decent shape, with a few light scratches along the side and a tiny dent on the top-right corner from a minor bump, but all keys and knobs seem to work. The unit is in a black gig bag with a red interior, and there’s a small blue sticker on the back with the initials 'AK' for easy identification. I know gear can be pricey and important to someone, so I’m hoping to reunite it with its owner—if this sounds like yours, please reach out.

Anchorage / Mat-Su 5 months ago

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Found black wireless earbuds in a matte charging case

I found a pair of black wireless earbuds in a matte black charging case this afternoon around 2:15pm outside the Northway Mall entrance on Debarr Road in Anchorage. The case has a small silver scratch on the lid and a tiny blue sticker with 'KC' on the back, and the earbuds have gray silicone tips. They seem in good condition aside from a few fingerprints, and the charging cable is tucked inside the case. I know how important these can be, so if the owner recognizes these, we can meet near the Northway Mall information desk to return them.

Anchorage / Mat-Su 7 months ago

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Found a pair of prescription reading glasses in a black case near Lake Hood in Anchorage.

I found a pair of prescription reading glasses in a black case while I was walking my dog around Lake Hood in Anchorage. They look really nice and appear to be gently used. I've been keeping them safe, hoping to find the owner, as they must be very important to someone.

Lake Hood, Anchorage, AK, United States 7 months ago

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Found black North Face backpack with green zippers and personal items on the shore by Campbell Lake.

I found a black North Face backpack with green zippers and accents on the shore by Campbell Lake in Anchorage. There were some personal items inside like a notebook and a water bottle that might help identify the owner. If you're missing this bag, please reach out with a description of the contents so I can return it to you.

Shore by Campbell Lake, Anchorage, Alaska, USA 10 months ago

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Found black leather briefcase with documents at Loussac Library study area in Anchorage.

I found a black leather briefcase while visiting the Loussac Library yesterday afternoon. It looks expensive and has some documents inside that might help identify the owner. I believe it was left at one of the study areas. The briefcase is in good condition, but I would love to return it to its rightful owner if possible. It’s located in Anchorage, and I hope someone comes looking for it!

Loussac Library, Anchorage, AK, USA 11 months ago