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

Helpful resources for Charlottesville

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Charlottesville

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Found xylophones near UVA Rotunda, Charlottesville

I found a set of wooden xylophones yesterday around 4:20 p.m. on the University of Virginia campus near the Rotunda, along the Downtown Mall. They look ready to play, with mallets tucked in a small bag. I placed them on a bench and kept watch for a bit before deciding to bring them to campus security, in case someone is missing them. I hope the rightful owner will recognize them and claim them.

near the Rotunda, UVA campus 3 days ago

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Found: Carry-ons left near Downtown Mall, Charlottesville

Today at 11:20 a.m., I found a gray rolling carry-on tucked behind a bench near the Downtown Mall's Market Street entrance in Charlottesville. It bears a faded blue luggage tag and a few travel stickers. Inside there’s a clean set of clothes, a toiletry bag, and no obvious ID. I didn’t rummage through every pocket, just enough to confirm it looked unattended and not mine. I’m posting here hoping the owner recognizes it and can reclaim it through the site.

Near the Downtown Mall entrance, Market Street, Charlottesville 8 days ago

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Found paintings in Charlottesville

I was strolling along the Downtown Mall near the UVA Rotunda when I found a stack of paintings tucked beneath a bench at 2:30 p.m. today. They look like amateur landscapes and portraits, all in ornate frames and a bit dusty but undamaged. It gave me hope that someone is missing these works, and I want to help get them back to their owner. Please contact through the site if you recognize them.

Sentimental

near the Rotunda, Downtown Mall, Charlottesville 28 days ago

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Found belts near Charlottesville’s Rotunda

Earlier this afternoon, around 3:10 p.m., I found three belts on a bench near the Rotunda on University Avenue, just off the University of Virginia campus. The belts are different colors—brown leather, black, and a gray fabric strap—with a mix of buckles that look well-worn but sturdy. I can picture a student or tourist who noticed they were missing and wandered back through the Lawn to retrace their steps. I left them where I found them, hoping the owner will recognize them when they see this post.

near the Rotunda, University Ave, UVA campus about 2 months ago

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Found pins in Charlottesville

On Monday at 7:15 p.m., I found a handful of enamel pins scattered along the brick sidewalk outside the Charlottesville City Market on Water Street. Some pins feature a UVA logo, others are bright little shapes that sparkle in the streetlight. They looked like someone’s personal keepsakes, dropped in a moment of rush. I picked them up and brought them here because I know how easy it is to lose something tiny but meaningful, and I hope the owner sees this.

Reward

near the UVA Rotunda 2 months ago

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Violin in black case with blue rosin

I found a violin this afternoon around 3:15pm near the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville, by the Market Street bike racks next to the Paramount Theater. It's a 4/4 student model in a black hard case that's a little scuffed but still solid, with a bright blue rosin bag tucked in the outer pocket. Inside the case there's a label reading 'Yamaha Student Violin' and a small paw-print sticker on the lid, plus a spare E string tucked into the lining. It seems well-loved and I'd hate for it to get farther from its owner -- hope to reunite it with whoever's missing it.

Charlottesville 3 months ago