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

Helpful resources for Phoenix

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Phoenix

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Leopard gecko found near Phoenix Public Library

I found a leopard gecko this afternoon around 4:15 pm near the Phoenix Public Library on Central Ave, just north of Van Buren. It’s about 3 inches long from snout to tail and has a bright yellow base color with orange-red spots along its back. The tail looks slightly regrown with a light patch at the tip, and there’s a pale scar on its belly that’s pretty distinctive. It seemed healthy and warm in the sun, but I’m sure it belongs to someone who’s missing a pet — I’d hate for it to get stressed out in the heat. If you’re the owner, send me a message here and we can arrange a pickup near the library.

Phoenix about 1 month ago

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Blue glucose meter kit in hard case found

I found a blue glucose meter kit this afternoon around 3:15pm in the parking lot behind the Phoenix Public Market on Grand Ave, near 3rd Street. The kit comes in a sturdy light-blue hard-case about the size of a small notebook, with a white sticker on the flap that reads 'A. Patel'. Inside are a digital glucose meter, several test strips in a foil pouch, and a lancet device; everything looks intact. There’s a faint coffee stain on the corner of the case and a small scratch along the top edge, but otherwise it’s in good condition. This item is obviously important to someone who relies on it daily, so I’d really like to see it get back to its owner.

Phoenix 3 months ago

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Two ID cards on a red lanyard found near downtown Phoenix

I found two ID cards this morning around 9:15am outside the Phoenix Public Library on Central Ave, near the Orpheum Theatre exit. They're attached to a bright red lanyard. One is a student ID with a blue background and a small campus logo, the other is a municipal employee badge with a photo and a holographic strip. The lanyard has a tiny green leaf sticker on the back and a barcode sticker near the clip—pretty distinctive. If you recognize these, send me a message here and we can arrange a safe drop-off at a public place in Phoenix.

Phoenix 4 months ago

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Olive canvas tote bag found

I found a bag this afternoon around 2:15pm behind the Burton Barr Central Library in downtown Phoenix, near the light rail stop. It's a medium-sized olive-green Herschel canvas tote with a red zipper pull and a small embroidered patch that reads 'Valley Wanderer' on the front. Inside, there's a blue striped lining, a reusable coffee mug, and a set of keys on a teal paracord keychain with a tiny compass. The bag shows light wear but is in good condition overall. If you're the owner and recognize these details, we can arrange a pickup at the Central Library.

Phoenix 4 months ago

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Found golden-brown hamster with blue ribbon

I found a tiny hamster this afternoon around 4:15pm near the Phoenix Zoo in Papago Park, by the carousel area. It’s about four inches long, with golden-brown fur, a white belly, and a bright blue ribbon tied around its neck. The little guy seemed curious but a bit skittish, eyes bright as I offered a sunflower seed. There’s a small white crescent patch on its left ear and a faint scar on its right hind leg—enough to ID him if someone recognizes these features. If you lost him, drop me a note with his name or distinguishing details.

Phoenix 4 months ago

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Arizona state ID card found near downtown Phoenix

Found an Arizona state ID card this afternoon around 2:15pm, in the parking lot behind the Phoenix Public Library on East Adams Street near 2nd Avenue. It's a white plastic card with a tiny holographic seal in the upper-right corner and a slightly bent top edge from years in a wallet. The photo shows a person with short dark hair wearing a red shirt; the name field is faint but legible, and the back has a small coffee stain near the magnetic strip. This card clearly matters to its owner, and I’d really like to help get it back—if you recognize it, shoot me an email at [email protected] and we can arrange a safe handoff.

Phoenix 5 months ago