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

Helpful resources for Billings

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Billings

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Found: Black tablet in gray case, Billings

I found a black 10-inch tablet in a rugged gray case with a small scratch along the bottom edge and a bright blue whale sticker on the back. I picked it up yesterday around 3:15pm outside the Walmart on Grand Avenue in Billings. The home screen shows a mountain wallpaper and a few saved notes, and the device powers on fine. I know this tablet might be important for someone's work or classes, so I'm really hoping to reunite it with its owner soon. If this sounds like yours, drop me a note here with where you last used it, and we can meet up near the Walmart or the downtown library to swap.

Billings 27 days ago

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Blue US passport found near Rimrock Mall in Billings

I found a blue US passport this afternoon around 2:15pm in the Rimrock Mall parking lot, near the south entrance by the food court. The cover is the standard deep blue with the Great Seal embossed in gold, and there's a small crease along the spine and a subtle coffee ring on the back. Inside, there’s a white sticker tucked into the inner cover with the initials 'AP' and a date stamp—nice little identifying feature to help verify it’s the right person. If you know who this belongs to, please reach out and I’ll gladly return it; I’m in Billings and can meet at the mall security desk or a nearby café to hand it over promptly.

Billings about 1 month ago

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Kindle Paperwhite with blue sleeve

I found a black Kindle Paperwhite e-reader this afternoon around 3pm in the Rimrock Mall parking lot off Grand Ave, Billings. It's in solid condition with a few tiny scratches on the bezel and a blue fabric sleeve that makes it easy to spot. On the back there's a small yellow star sticker next to the bottom edge. If this is yours, email me at [email protected] and we can arrange a safe return.

Billings 3 months ago

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Gold-tone hoop earrings with moonstone charms

I found a pair of earrings this afternoon around 2:15pm in the parking lot behind Target on Grand Ave in Billings. They’re small gold-tone hoops, about 1 inch in diameter, with dangling teardrop moonstone charms. The stones catch sunlight with a subtle blue flash. They came in a little velvet pouch I found with them, tucked near the curb by the cart return. One moonstone charm has a tiny etched leaf pattern on the back—easy to spot if you look closely. If these belong to you, please reach out so I can get them back to you; I know how special a piece like this can be.

Billings 4 months ago

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Gold-tone necklace with heart pendant, 18-inch chain

I found a gold-tone necklace this afternoon around 3:20 pm outside the Alberta Bair Theater on Broadway Ave in downtown Billings. It's an 18-inch dainty chain with a small heart pendant and a tiny ruby dot near the bail. The clasp is stamped 'P.S.' and the chain looks lightly worn but clean. If you're missing a necklace like this, send me a message here and I’ll help get it back to you.

Billings 4 months ago

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Blue zip pouch with vintage coins and stamps

I found a small blue zip pouch this afternoon around 2:30pm behind the Rimrock Mall entrance on Grand Ave in Billings. Inside there’s a coin-and-stamp collection: a 1909 Lincoln cent with VDB, a worn Mercury dime, and a handful of stamps in a clear sleeve, all tucked into a folded page with pencil notes. The pouch is a bit worn and has a small tear at the zipper, and there’s a scrap of paper with a name and contact scribbled inside. It seems like a real collectible, and I’d love to reunite it with its owner.

Billings 5 months ago