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

Helpful resources for Charleston

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Charleston

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Found someone else’s holiday decorations

On Monday night, around 7:40 p.m., I found a box of holiday decorations on the stoop of my Charleston apartment near Capitol Market. There were tangled garlands, a string of lights, and a snowflake ornament that rolled under the doormat. None of it looked mine, and a little wave of responsibility hit me—maybe a neighbor dropped it or someone mislaid a few keepsakes after a party. I tucked the box inside my entryway and kept an eye out for anyone posting about lost decorations, hoping they’ll see this and reclaim their things. It feels kind of hopeful, like a small thread tying someone to a memory of a family gathering.

near Capitol Market about 21 hours ago

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FOUND: Remote Controls near Capitol Market, Charleston

Hi, I’m Jonathan Blake. I was walking back to my apartment in Charleston when I spotted a pair of remote controls lying on the sidewalk outside the Capitol Market entrance around 4:15 PM yesterday. One remote has a blue silicone sleeve; the other is plain black with a sticker. I picked them up and turned them in through this site, hoping the owner will recognize them. If these belong to you, they’re listed here for pickup at the site.

Capitol Market entrance, Charleston 10 days ago

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Silver-tone heart pendant necklace found near City Market

I found a silver-tone necklace this afternoon around 3:05 pm along Market Street outside the Charleston City Market, near the Market Street entrance by the rainbow storefronts. It's about 18 inches long, with a delicate lobster clasp, and the heart pendant has the initials 'A.H.' engraved on the back. The chain shows a bit of tarnish near the clasp, but the pendant is clean and intact. It clearly looks worn and cared for, and I figured someone might be missing it—if this is yours, message me and we can arrange a pickup near the Charleston City Market.

Charleston about 1 month ago

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Black leather briefcase with brass clasp

Found a black leather briefcase this afternoon around 2:45 pm behind the Charleston City Market on Market Street, near the corner of Church Street. It's a Briggs & Riley briefcase, about 15 inches wide, with a brass clasp and a slightly worn corner, and the interior is red fabric with a leather luggage tag bearing the initials 'C.T.' and a small red heart sticker. Inside I found a USB drive labeled 'Q2 Finance' tucked in a side pocket and a folded note with the name 'Alex Turner' written on it. I know this might be important to someone, so I hope to get it back to its owner; you can reach me at [email protected] to arrange a safe handoff.

Charleston about 2 months ago

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Emerald green satin gown with silver beaded bodice

I found this emerald-green satin evening gown this afternoon around 2:15pm outside the Charleston Place hotel on Market Street, near the City Market entrance. It's a size 6 by Elara Couture, with a silver beaded bodice that catches the light and a flowing A-line skirt that sweeps the ground. The gown has a small snag in the hem from the walk, and there’s a satin belt tied at the waist. Inside the lining, I can see a tag with 'Elara Couture' and a tiny stitched monogram 'S.R.'—a nice personal touch. It seems like it must belong to someone who had a special night planned, and I’m hoping the owner sees this and claims it.

Charleston 2 months ago

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Gray tabby cat with blue collar found near City Market

I found a medium-gray tabby cat with white paws this afternoon around 2:15pm near the City Market on Market Street in Charleston. It wears a blue collar with a small heart-shaped tag, and it has bright green eyes and a tiny white whisker by its left nose. It seems well cared for and was friendly enough to sit in my lap. I checked for a microchip but couldn't locate one, so I’m keeping it safe for now while searching for the owner. If this is your cat, message me here and we can arrange a meetup near Market Street in downtown Charleston.

Charleston 3 months ago