Lost USB Drives in Waterloo / Cedar Falls, IA
Description
I lost USB Drives in Waterloo / Cedar Falls, Iowa, United States. This afternoon, around 3:45 p.m., I was at College Square in downtown Waterloo, near the Sullivan Brothers Veterans Museum. I had them tucked into a navy sleeve inside my backpack, and then they vanished while I was loading a lecture note onto my laptop. The drives hold essential work and personal files, and I am anxious about the data inside. I searched the benches, the bookstore steps, and the transit hub, hoping they'd reappear, but nothing yet. I keep remembering the clink of the USB sticks and the hum of the street, and I miss them already.
Approximate last-seen location
Pin shows an approximate area, not the exact spot — to protect privacy.
How to safely get your item back
A short checklist to protect you and the item during the handoff.
Verify the finder before meeting
- Ask them to describe a detail not shown in your listing, such as an engraving, scratch, or contents.
- Request a clear photo of the item from an angle you did not post.
- Do not pay any release, shipping, or storage fee.
- Do not share your full address until you have verified them.
Meet in a safe, public place
- Police stations, café entrances, transport hubs, and shop foyers all work.
- Meet during daylight hours where there is CCTV and foot traffic.
- Avoid private homes, car parks at night, or isolated locations.
Bring someone with you
- Tell a friend or family member where you are meeting and when.
- Share your live location with them during the handoff.
- For high-value items, consider contacting your local police station for advice first.
Keep communication on lostandfound.io
- Use the in-app message thread so there is a record if something goes wrong.
- Do not move to WhatsApp, SMS, or email until you have exchanged a verifying detail.
- Never share bank details, government ID numbers, or copies of your ID.