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

Helpful resources for Ann Arbor

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Ann Arbor

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Found: Trading Cards near Michigan Union

I found them at 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday, scattered on the sidewalk in front of the Michigan Union on State Street, right near the bustle of campus life. The collection has a mix of baseball and fantasy cards, some glossy, others a bit worn, with a few corners bent from being carried around in a backpack. I remember when I traded cards with friends as a kid, and I felt a rush of nostalgia, yet also a sense of responsibility to get these back to someone who wants them back. I tucked them into a protective sleeve and posted them here, hoping the owner sees this and claims them through the site.

Michigan Union, State Street about 6 hours ago

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Black Fossil wallet with red interior

I found a black Fossil bifold wallet this afternoon around 2:45 pm outside the Michigan Theater on State Street, downtown Ann Arbor. It’s slim and well-worn, with a red lining and a tiny coffee stain on the back corner; you can see the Fossil logo on the inside. Inside I spotted a couple of loyalty cards and a faded photo of a dog—no cash visible, just receipts and cards. I know wallets like this can hold important stuff, so I’d love to get it back to its owner. If this is yours, message me here and we can set up a pickup near the theater.

Ann Arbor 28 days ago

found P

Keys with blue USB drive and red Milo tag

I found a set of keys this afternoon around 4:15pm in the parking lot behind the Ann Arbor District Library on Fifth Ave, just off Liberty. The ring has a large brass house key, a black car key fob, and a small blue USB drive wedged between them. There’s also a red silicone tag with the name 'Milo' scrawled on it, which should help identify the owner. They’re a little scratched from daily use but otherwise functional. If the owner sees this, I’d be glad to help return them—please reach out.

Ann Arbor about 1 month ago

found A

Keys on blue USB keychain near Michigan Theater

I found a set of keys this afternoon around 3:15pm on Liberty Street, right by the Michigan Theater in downtown Ann Arbor. The ring has two silver house keys, a black car key fob, and a bright blue USB flash drive labeled 'DataSafe 16GB' in a metal casing, plus a red enamel paw-print tag attached. They’re a bit scratched but otherwise in decent condition. If you recognize them, I'm glad to hand them back at the Michigan Theater box office or we can meet nearby; I’d be happy to return them to their owner.

Ann Arbor about 2 months ago

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University student ID card found near Michigan Union, Ann Arbor

I found a blue University student ID card this afternoon around 3:20 pm outside the Michigan Union on State Street in Ann Arbor. It's a standard glossy plastic card, about the size of a credit card, with a photo of a student wearing a red hoodie and a light blue lanyard with a small silver star charm. The name on the card reads "Priya Patel" and the back has a faint coffee stain near the magnetic stripe. There's a tiny dent on the bottom-right corner, visible when you tilt it. If this looks like yours or you know the owner, please reach out—I'm hoping to get it back to you.

Ann Arbor 2 months ago

found A

Charcoal Samsonite suitcase with orange zipper pull

I found a large charcoal Samsonite suitcase this afternoon behind the Michigan Theater on Liberty Street in downtown Ann Arbor. It’s a 28-inch hard-shell polycarbonate with a few scuffs on the corners and a bright orange zipper pull that really stands out. There’s a blue luggage tag on the handle with the initials 'J.S.' and a small paw-print sticker still attached. The lining is striped blue and gray, and I noticed a folded umbrella tucked in the side pocket. If this belongs to you, I’d love to help get it back.

Ann Arbor 3 months ago