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

Helpful resources for Knoxville

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Knoxville

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FOUND: Student ID on UT campus

I was heading back to the University of Tennessee campus library around 3:45 PM yesterday when I spotted a student ID lying on the bench near Market Square. The name on the card isn’t mine, and the photo is clear, so I figured the owner would want it back. I picked it up and brought it to the campus security desk so it can be claimed by the rightful student through the proper channels. It felt good to do the right thing, especially knowing how important that card can be for a student’s day-to-day life.

near Market Square, downtown Knoxville 12 days ago

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Found travel bags near Market Square, Knoxville

FOUND: I found a set of travel bags outside a cafe near Market Square in downtown Knoxville around 7:15 p.m. last Friday. The rolling navy suitcase and a smaller black carry-on were left by the curb, untouched and heavy with clothes. I checked for a name tag, but nothing obvious showed up, so I moved them to a bench and kept an eye on them until the crowd thinned. I can imagine the relief of the person who realized they were missing, and I’d love to see them reunited with their owner soon.

Market Square Fountain, Downtown Knoxville 12 days ago

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Found silver Dell laptop with guitar sticker

I found a silver Dell laptop this afternoon around 2:30pm in Market Square, near the brick planter by the big LED screen. It's in a black protective sleeve, and the lid has a small guitar sticker beside the Dell logo. There's a tiny dent on the top-right corner and a blue USB-C hub plugged into the side. The screen looks functional, and the wallpaper shows a mountain sunset. If this looks like yours, email me at [email protected] and we can arrange a meetup near Market Square.

Knoxville about 2 months ago

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Pair of Bijou Theatre tickets found near Market Square

I found a pair of Bijou Theatre tickets this afternoon around 2:15pm, resting on a bench near Market Square in Knoxville. They’re white with a black Bijou Theatre logo and a thin blue border; there are two general-admission tickets stapled together, and one has a tiny red heart doodle in the corner. The event name is visible, and the tickets look legitimate, not beat-up, just a small crease along the edge. I’d love to get them back to the owner—they obviously meant a lot to someone—and I’m happy to meet up anywhere in Knoxville to help return them.

Knoxville 2 months ago

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Found stainless steel watch near Market Square, Knoxville

I found a mid-size stainless steel watch this afternoon around 3:15 pm near Market Square in downtown Knoxville, by the Jammin' on the Square stage. It has a black dial, a silver-tone 42mm case, and a red second hand, plus a worn black leather strap that shows creases from daily wear. There’s a small engraving on the back with the initials 'J.P.' and a tiny scratch near the 2 o'clock mark. It keeps good time and looks decent despite a few scuffs. If this belongs to you, you can email me at [email protected] and we can arrange a pickup near Market Square.

Knoxville 3 months ago

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Navy travel neck pillow with red airplane patch

I found a navy travel neck pillow this afternoon around 2:15 pm near the Market Square entrance in Knoxville. It's memory-foam, with a slightly worn navy cover and a bright red embroidered airplane on the side. There’s a small tear near the seam on the outer edge and a white tag that reads 'TravelMate' in orange letters. It was sitting on a bench by the bus stop near the Market House. I know losing a travel pillow is a hassle—happy to help reunite it with its owner; if this sounds like yours, drop me a message and we’ll arrange pickup.

Knoxville 4 months ago