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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 Boston? Handling it responsibly protects both you and the owner. Rules vary by location, but the principles are consistent.

  1. Make a reasonable effort to find the owner. Check for ID, contact details, or anything that identifies who it belongs to.
  2. 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.
  3. Hand valuables to the authorities. Report significant or high-value finds to the police non-emergency line for Boston; they'll log it and may issue a reference.
  4. Store it safely. Keep the item secure and unchanged while you try to return it.
  5. Post a found listing. Add a found-item listing for Boston with enough detail for the real owner to identify it — while holding back one verifying detail.

Helpful resources for Boston

Recent reports in Boston

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Black rectangular glasses with silver hinges

I found a pair of black rectangular glasses this afternoon around 3:15pm on the sidewalk outside the Boston Public Library on Copley Square, near the Boylston Street entrance. They’re matte black plastic frames with silver hinges and clear lenses that have a few tiny scratches from wear. Inside the right temple, there’s a small engraving that reads 'A.J. 02,' which could help identify the owner. I know how important these little things are for reading and daily sight, so I’m hoping to reunite them with whoever lost them—if these are yours, describe the engraving and where you last wore them.

Boston 2 months ago
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Blue-green parrotlet found near Boston Public Library

I found a small blue-green parrotlet this afternoon around 3:15pm, perched on a railing outside the Boston Public Library’s McKim Building on Boylston Street near Copley Square. It’s about the size of a robin, mostly teal with a bright yellow belly and a tiny red beak. There’s a light blue leg band on its right leg engraved with '23-AL.' It seemed friendly and hopped onto my finger for a moment before scolding at me with a chirp. I’d really hate for someone to worry about it—losing a pet bird would be awful. If this is yours, I’m happy to help arrange a meetup near the library or at a nearby vet clinic to verify ownership.

Boston 3 months ago
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Found turquoise Nintendo Switch Lite near Boston Common

I found a turquoise Nintendo Switch Lite in a black silicone case this afternoon around 2:15pm behind the Starbucks on Tremont Street, just a block from Boston Common. It's in pretty good condition, with a clean screen and only a couple of light scratches on the back plus a tiny dent near the charging port. There's a small fox sticker on the back and a blue silicone grip on the right side, which should help identify it if you own one. If this belongs to you, I’d love to help get it back—let me know a safe place to meet near Park Street Station, or we can arrange pickup nearby.

Boston 3 months ago
found P

Tan leather tote with gold hardware found near Faneuil Hall

I found a tan pebbled leather tote this afternoon around 2:45pm outside Quincy Market/Faneuil Hall on Congress Street. It's a Michael Kors tote, about 12x14 inches, with gold-tone hardware and a pink satin lining. There's a small scrape on the bottom corner and a blue ink initial 'A.J.' scribbled inside the inner pocket—a tiny detail that could help the owner identify it. The bag has a simple leather strap with an adjustable buckle and a faint coffee scent. I picked it up because someone must be missing it, and I’d want someone to help get it back to its owner. If this matches your bag, use the app to verify the identifying features.

Boston 4 months ago
found A

Found budgie with blue cheeks near Boston Public Garden

I found this bright budgie this afternoon around 2:15pm while I was walking near the Boston Public Garden, outside the Beacon Street entrance by Arlington Street. It’s mostly lime-green with a sunny yellow head and tiny blue cheek patches that stand out in the sun. One leg has a small copper band engraved 'BH-12', and the tail feathers look a bit roughed from a recent flight. I’d hate for it to be lost for good—pets birds mean a lot, and I hope their owner sees this. If you’re the owner, please email me at [email protected] and we can arrange a meetup near the Public Garden or Common.

Boston 4 months ago
found A

Gray knit beanie with black pom-pom

I found a gray knit beanie this afternoon around 3:15pm outside the Boston Public Library's Copley Square entrance on Boylston Street. It's a medium-weight acrylic blend, ribbed knit, with a black faux-fur pom-pom on top and a tiny white embroidered heart near the cuff. The inside tag says 'Urban Trail Co.' and it's a bit dusty from the wind but otherwise in good shape. If this is yours, send me a quick message here in the app and we can figure out a pickup near Copley.

Boston 5 months ago