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

Helpful resources for Vermont

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Vermont

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Found USB drives near Church Street Marketplace, Burlington.

I found two USB drives in a blue zip pouch beside a bench outside the bakery at Church Street Marketplace in Burlington, Vermont, around 3:47 pm today. The pouch was wedged between a planter and the bench, next to a coffee cart. Inside were two USB drives, a couple of charging cables, and a tiny sticker that looked like a mountain. It looked like someone was on a tech trip; I imagined the owner must be anxious to have those drives back. I picked them up and brought them home to keep them safe. If the owner recognizes the hardware or the sticker, they’ll know these are theirs.

near Church Street Marketplace, Burlington 16 days ago

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Found holiday decorations near Church Street Marketplace

I was walking home after sunset at 8:15 PM last Friday when I spotted a bag of holiday decorations tucked behind a planter near Church Street Marketplace in Burlington. A dozen colorful ornaments rolled around in the snow while the twinkling shop lights reflected off the storefronts. I picked them up, thinking someone must be missing their cheerful setup, and I’m posting here so the owner can find them. The moment felt a little magical, like a small sign that the holidays aren’t over yet.

Church Street Marketplace, Burlington 24 days ago

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Emerald green formal gown with beaded neckline

I found this emerald green satin evening gown this afternoon around 2:15pm outside the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts on Main Street in Burlington, VT. It's floor-length, size medium, with a silver beaded neckline and a detachable capelet that clips on at the shoulders. There’s a delicate silver belt at the waist and a label in the lining that reads Linden & Co. Evening Wear, Style 527. If this is your gown, I’d love to help you get it back—reach me at [email protected].

Vermont 2 months ago

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Silver trumpet with black mouthpiece found near Church Street Marketplace

I found a silver Yamaha trumpet yesterday around 5pm near the Church Street Marketplace entrance on Main Street in Burlington, Vermont. It's in decent playing condition, with a few worn spots on the lacquer and a small dent in the bell. There's an engraving along the bell that reads 'M. Carter' and it came in a black hard case with a red lining and a well-worn strap. The mouthpiece is a standard size, black plastic, and fits snugly inside the case. If this is yours or you know who it belongs to, I’d love to help get it back; you can email me and we can arrange a safe meetup in Burlington.

Vermont 3 months ago

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Black velvet gown with beaded bodice

I found a black velvet floor-length gown with a beaded silver bodice, size M, by David's Bridal, near the Church Street Marketplace parking garage in Burlington, VT this afternoon around 4:15pm. The dress is in pretty good shape overall, with a tiny snag on the hem and a few beads loosened along the bodice. It also comes with a detachable satin belt with a small rhinestone buckle. If anyone recognizes it, please reach out; I’d love to help return it to its owner.

Vermont 6 months ago

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Dark brown Coach briefcase with brass buckle

I found a dark brown Coach leather briefcase this afternoon around 4:15pm near the Church Street Marketplace entrance by City Market in Burlington, Vermont. The leather is a bit worn on the corners and the brass buckle has a small nick. Inside the blue lining is a red tag with the initials 'J.P.' and a slim notebook labeled '2025 Planner.' There's a detachable shoulder strap and a pencil tucked in the pocket. It felt like someone would miss it, and I'd really like to see it back with its owner.

Vermont 7 months ago