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

Helpful resources for Eastern NC

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Eastern NC

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FOUND: Memory Cards near Wilmington Riverwalk, NC

While strolling along the Wilmington Riverwalk at 12:20 PM on Tuesday, I spotted a small backpack and a tangle of cables abandoned under a bench near the Riverfront Park. A pouch labeled Memory Cards spilled out, with a few boxes marked 'Camera 1' and 'Backup' visible in the sunlight. It looked like someone was capturing a sunny afternoon and had to hurry away. I felt a mix of curiosity and care, hoping these bits of data would help someone finish their project. I’m posting this so the rightful owner can find them easily through the site.

Near the Wilmington Riverwalk about 6 hours ago

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Found: Postcards on Atlantic Beach boardwalk

I am Jordan Brooks, and I found a bundle of old postcards while walking along the Atlantic Beach boardwalk this afternoon around 2:15 pm. The cards look like vintage seaside scenes, some postmarked from the 1950s, a few from Wilmington and New Bern. They were lying near a bench by the lifeguard tower, and they feel important to someone who wrote on the back. I picked them up and kept them safe, hoping the owner sees this and claims them.

Atlantic Beach boardwalk near the lifeguard station 10 days ago

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Found: Sheets at Wilmington Riverwalk, Tuesday night

On Tuesday around 7:15 p.m., I was walking along the Wilmington Riverwalk with my dog when I spotted a neatly folded stack of sheets beside a bench near the fountain. They’re a pale blue, simple pattern, and they still smelled faintly of detergent. It looked like someone must have misplaced them in a rush after a long day. I picked them up, checked the nearby bags, and decided to bring them here so the owner could find them through the site. If these are yours, I hope this helps you get back your bedding.

Near the Wilmington Riverwalk fountain 20 days ago

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Blue 28-inch TravelPro suitcase found in Wilmington

I found this blue 28-inch TravelPro suitcase this morning around 9:15am in the parking lot behind the Walmart on Market Street in Wilmington, NC. It’s a sturdy hard-shell with a red cruise-line tag on the handle, a small dent on the bottom edge, and a built-in TSA lock that still works. Inside I spotted packing cubes and a couple of chargers, but no ID or travel documents. If this belongs to you, tell me the lining color or a distinctive item you packed and we’ll figure out a safe pickup near the Cape Fear River area.

Eastern NC 3 months ago

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Silver ring with starfish engraving and sapphire

I found a silver-toned ring this afternoon around 3:20pm near the New Bern Farmers Market on South Front Street in New Bern, NC, in Eastern NC, just outside Tryon Palace. It's a slender ring, about a size 6, with a tiny blue sapphire set in a simple bezel and a delicate starfish engraving on the outside. The band has a brushed matte finish and an '925' stamp on the inner side. It's in decent condition, a bit dusty from lying on the pavement, and I'm holding onto it safely until the owner shows up.

Eastern NC 3 months ago

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Found walnut coffee table with brass knob

I found a walnut coffee table this afternoon around 4pm behind the Harris Teeter on Market Street in Wilmington, Eastern NC. It's about 3 feet long and 1.5 feet tall, solid wood with a single shallow drawer. The top has a couple of coffee cup rings and a few nicks along the edge. The drawer front has a brass knob, and on the inside edge is a tiny initials 'JL' etched with a knife. There’s a faded sticker on the bottom that says 'Horizon Home.' It’s in decent condition overall. If this looks familiar, drop me a note here and we can arrange pickup in Wilmington.

Eastern NC 3 months ago