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

Helpful resources for Mattoon-Charleston

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Mattoon-Charleston

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Found hats near Mattoon Town Square

Yesterday afternoon around 3:30 p.m., I was strolling Mattoon’s Town Square, near the Coles County Courthouse, when I spotted a small pile of hats on the brick sidewalk. A navy beanie, a brown fedora, and a couple of sun caps were lying together as if someone dropped them in a rush. I picked them up, checked for a note or a tag, but nothing. They look like they belong to someone who wears them with care, and I can tell they were worn recently. I’m putting them here hoping the rightful owner sees this and can claim them through the site.

Mattoon Town Square, by the Coles County Courthouse 1 day ago

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Found: Set of 4 life jackets in container

Set of 4 life jackets in a plastic container. Found on Friday June 12 west of Charleston

Mattoon-Charleston 13 days ago

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Found: Holiday Decorations in Mattoon

I was walking home from the Mattoon Public Library around 5:42 PM yesterday when I spotted a box tucked behind a bench near the Mattoon train depot. It was labeled 'Holiday Decorations' and smelled faintly of pine, with a jumble of garlands, lights, and fragile ornaments spilling out. A ribbon clung to the tinsel as I picked it up, and my heart eased knowing someone’s things were safe, even if momentarily forgotten. I carried the box to the little plaza by the depot and set it on the bench, hoping the owner would see this listing. If these are yours, please use the site to claim them and I’ll guide you to the right place.

Near the Mattoon train depot, Mattoon-Charleston, IL 27 days ago

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Silver-tone hoop earrings with emerald bead, found near library

I found a pair of silver-tone hoop earrings with a tiny emerald-green bead this afternoon around 3:15pm in the parking lot behind the Mattoon Public Library on Main Street. The hoops are about 12-15 mm in diameter and one earring has a small heart charm dangling from the bottom. They’re in good condition overall, with just a little scuff on the back from being tucked away in a purse. It seems like these might be sentimental to someone, and I’d hate for them to stay missing. If this sounds like yours, drop me a note and we can arrange a pickup or meetup.

Mattoon-Charleston about 2 months ago

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White AirPods Pro with cracked charging case

I found a pair of white AirPods Pro this afternoon around 3:15pm in the Walmart parking lot on West Lincoln Ave in Mattoon. The charging case lid is cracked and there's a small blue sticker with the initials 'LM' on the back. The earbuds themselves look clean, with a minor scuff on the left earbud. If you’re the owner, they’re safe with me and I’d love to get them back; I know they can be sentimental and expensive to replace, really hoping to reunite them with you soon.

Mattoon-Charleston 2 months ago

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Glasses found: black rectangular frames with initials inside

I found a pair of glasses this afternoon around 3pm behind the Starbucks on Main Street in downtown Mattoon-Charleston. They're black rectangular frames with a matte finish and tortoiseshell temples. Inside the right temple is the initials 'KB' etched in small letters, and there's a light scratch on the left lens. They look in decent shape aside from that, and I figure someone is probably missing them and could really use them back. If these belong to you, I’d be happy to help you get them back to you.

Mattoon-Charleston 3 months ago