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

Helpful resources for Columbus

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Columbus

found A

Christmas wreath with pinecones found near North Market

I found a handmade evergreen wreath this afternoon around 3pm on the sidewalk outside the North Market entrance on High Street in Columbus. It's about 18 inches across, with a bright red velvet bow and several pinecones, still in good shape though a bit dusty from the ground. There's a small brass snowflake pin and a care card from 'Lark & Co. Seasonal' tucked under the bow. It looks like a seasonal front-door decoration, probably from a home nearby. If this is yours, claim it in the app—happy to reunite it with its owner.

Columbus about 1 month ago

found P

Silver-tone hoop earrings with moon engraving

I found a pair of silver-tone hoop earrings this afternoon around 1:45pm behind the North Market on Market Street in Columbus. They're about 1.5 cm in diameter, with a tiny crescent-moon engraving on one hoop and a small blue sapphire-like bead on the other. They're a little tarnished from wear but polish up nicely, and the backs are standard post style. I'm posting here because I know these could be special to someone—maybe a gift or sentimental jewelry—and I'd love to get them back to their owner. If you've seen these or can confirm ownership by brand or engraving, please get in touch.

Columbus about 2 months ago

found A

Blue Adidas size 5 soccer ball found near North Market

I found a blue Adidas size 5 soccer ball this afternoon around 4:15pm behind the North Market on Market Street in Columbus, OH. It’s blue and white, a bit scuffed on one panel, and the valve has a tiny red sticker with the initials 'JS'—nice little identifying detail. It still holds air and looks like it was used in a casual pickup game, nothing major broken. I’d love to get it back to its owner; if you think it’s yours, tell me the color details and the initials on the valve sticker to verify.

Columbus 2 months ago

found P

Found mini projector remote with green rocket sticker

I found a small projector remote yesterday around 3pm in Columbus, near the North Market on Vine Street. It's palm-sized, matte gray plastic, and on the back there's a bright green sticker with a tiny rocket drawing. A couple of surface scratches decorate the top, and the battery door feels a tad loose, but it powers on fine when you press the main button. On the back I also noticed a light etching: 'PK' and a date—pretty likely yours. It seems to belong to a mini projector setup, and I’m hoping to reunite it with its owner. If this sounds like yours, send a message through the app and we can arrange a pickup near North Market.

Columbus 4 months ago

found A

Blue Nike swim shorts with neon logo

Found a pair of Nike swim shorts this afternoon around 2:30pm near the Scioto Mile, behind COSI, along the riverfront in downtown Columbus. They're blue with black panels and a white drawstring, size L, with a neon-green Nike logo on the left leg. The fabric looks clean but a bit salt-stained from the pool, and there's a small snag along the back pocket seam. Inside there's a tiny tag with initials 'A.R.'—not sure if that helps, but it's one of the few identifying details. If these belong to someone, I hope they get them back soon.

Columbus 4 months ago

found D

Blue US passport found near North Market downtown Columbus

I found a blue US passport this afternoon around 3:30pm on the sidewalk outside the North Market entrance on High Street in downtown Columbus. The cover is navy blue with the Great Seal, a bit scuffed and there’s a coffee ring near the lower edge. Inside the back pocket, there’s a torn boarding-pass stub and the name on the data page appears as 'Priya Patel' with an Ohio transit sticker tucked behind it. It seems in decent condition otherwise, just a little worn from travel. If this belongs to you, I’d really like to help return it—I can drop it at the North Market desk or meet nearby.

Columbus 5 months ago