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

Helpful resources for Austin

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Austin

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Found travel visas in downtown Austin

I found travel visas on Saturday around 2:05 PM along the Congress Ave Bridge near 6th Street during a small neighborhood festival. They were tucked in a flimsy folder with a red cover and a passport photo peeking out. I kept them in my jacket pocket for safety while I looked for the owner, then posted this listing because I know how important those documents are. If this matches what you’re missing, please reach out through the site so the owner can be reunited with them.

near the Texas State Capitol 9 days ago

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Found travel adapters in Austin

I found travel adapters this afternoon in Austin. Around 4:15 p.m. on a sunny Saturday, I spotted them beneath a bench near the entrance to the Long Center, just off Barton Springs Road. They were tangled with a charger inside a small blue pouch and glinted under the late sun. I picked them up, thinking someone must be missing these after a day of wandering around downtown. The memory of last-minute packing and conference lanyards came back as I turned toward the street, hoping the owner would see this listing and recognize their adapters.

near the Long Center, Barton Springs Rd 12 days ago

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Black knit scarf with brass tag

I found a black knit scarf this afternoon around 3:30pm near the Capitol Grounds at Congress Ave and 11th Street in Austin. It's a soft acrylic knit, about 70 inches long, with a thin white stripe along the edge and a small brass tag stamped 'R.S.' on the inner corner. The scarf is in good condition with just a little fuzz from wear. I figured someone might be really glad to have it back after the chilly walk along downtown. If this is yours, tell me the initials on the tag and where you last wore it, and I’ll return it.

Austin 3 months ago

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Cream North Face parka with initials patch

I found this cream North Face parka with a black faux-fur hood yesterday around 3:15pm near the Long Center on Riverside Dr, downtown Austin. It's a size L, puffy, in good shape except for a little mud on the cuffs from the rain. Inside the left breast pocket there's a small stitched patch with the initials 'AM' and a lime-green carabiner hooked on the zipper. It's definitely a seasonal winter coat, and it would mean a lot to get it back to its owner. If you recognize it, tell me the initials on the patch and the size to verify.

Austin 4 months ago

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Black Akai MPK Mini MKII found near 6th St

I found a black Akai MPK Mini MKII MIDI keyboard with 25 mini keys this afternoon around 3pm outside Waterloo Records on 6th Street. It’s in good shape overall, with a tiny scuff on the top edge and a small red sticker on the back that says 'Kelsey'. It has 8 red-backlit pads and four assignable knobs—super handy for gigs on the go. I figured whoever it belongs to is probably freaking out, so I’m holding onto it and hoping to reconnect it with its owner soon.

Austin 6 months ago

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Blue enamel cast-iron Dutch oven with lid

I found a blue Le Creuset 4-quart enameled cast-iron Dutch oven with lid this afternoon around 2:45pm near the Barton Springs Pool entrance on Barton Springs Road in Austin. It's in great shape overall—bright blue exterior, cream enamel interior with a small scorch line from tomato sauce, and the stainless steel knob on the lid has a tiny dent that's easy to spot. The bottom shows a faint sticker residue from the original packaging. If this is yours, send a photo to confirm and we can arrange a quick meetup near Zilker Park.

Austin 7 months ago