Would you return a lost wallet?

[CoffeeCheeseandCupcakes]

DH lost his wallet yesterday with a good amount of cash in it. Pretty certain it was whole we were at the playground - but have since retraced our steps, called all the stores we'd been too yesterday or near where we were, and posted on the community FB group.

I guess I shouldn't be, but I'm really surprised that no one's turned it in or dropped it back at our house (playground is around the corner and his license is in there with our address). If I'd found a wallet I'd absolutely try to return it to its owner and imagine I'd drive even a reasonable distance to if I had the address from the license.

So just made me wonder, what others would do? Would you return it? Leave it where it was? Take the cash? Take the whole wallet?

I lost my purse at V Festival once with cash and tokens in and someone actually handed it in! I was so shocked and grateful, I was a student at the time. I would also try and get back to the owner, or hand in to the police. Have you checked any local Facebook sites? They often end up on there.

Of course! Although the only time I've actually found one, it was directly outside the address on the driving licence (she must have dropped it getting out of the car, I guess) so I just dropped it through their letterbox.

On the other hand, DD1 lost a cardholder with just her Zip card and debit card last week, both of which we stopped straight away so they're no use to anybody, and that still hasn't turned up. Just annoying as the holder was a present from her friend and she's a bit sad that's been lost.

The police won't take lost and found now.

I work in public transport and have had a mixed bag when it comes to honesty.

I have found wallets, empty, and handed them in. I assume the person lost it or had it stolen and the finder or thief has taken all the money out and dumped it.

Then I get reunions within the hour or day. They are rare though.

Then we get those items handed in, sent to our central lost property office and we find they were reunited at some later date.

Most people are honest, maybe 90% or more, even in a big city like mine.

I found a wallet with a substantial (I didnt count it) amount of cash in it, on a path outside the local leisure centre. I just handed it in at the reception desk. It turned out it belonged to someone I knew - they didnt seemingly the least bit grateful! (That wouldnt change what I did in future though, I would always look for an owner or hand in sonewhere)
My DH has left his bag on the train before (twice! 🙄) and has got it back with everything in it ( including money) both times.

@ScrapThatThen

The police won't take lost and found now.

So does that mean you'd keep it?

I might help myself to 50p or so as a symbolic finder's fee if it had any change in it. That apart, I'd just return it with all its contents intact.

@ric12

I might help myself to 50p or so as a symbolic finder's fee if it had any change in it. That apart, I'd just return it with all its contents intact.

Wtf??

I'd return it. The last time I lost my purse at the playground though, I'm pretty sure it was stolen. DS3 had a bad fall, so I dashed straight over, leaving handbag unattended for a few minutes. When we got home I realised my purse was no longer in it.

@ric12

I might help myself to 50p or so as a symbolic finder's fee if it had any change in it. That apart, I'd just return it with all its contents intact.

I assume that's a joke, no one would do something that childish (unless they are a child I suppose)

I'm going to guess that not many posters are going to come on and say they'd steal a wallet so you're not getting any kind representative idea of what an average person would do.

Was just thinking that @satnighttakeaway - though people could name change and it is an anonymous forum...most likely place for people to own up, I guess

Over the years I have found many items while out walking. Credit/bank cards, travel passes, purses, phones etc. and always I have contacted the owner if at all possible and returned them. With bank cards I handed them into the bank and that was the end of it.

If I lost something myself I would be overjoyed if it was returned to me. One lady I contacted after tracing her (I had found her driving licence) agreed to me calling at her door and returning it and when she opened the door she just took it from my hand and said "ok" so that left me dumfounded. I found a student travel pass and after contact I called at the home of the girl and she came to the door with her mother who thanked me very warmly.

If I find just cash and I have several times, 10's and 20's etc. I just put it in my purse.

I might help myself to 50p or so as a symbolic finder's fee if it had any change in it. That apart, I'd just return it with all its contents intact.

That’s so weird...

Yes OP I’d try to locate the owner and take it to a police station of I didn’t find them myself.

I lost my phone in a soft play and someone nicked it. It always annoyed me that it was probably a parent with young kids.

Most people would hand it in. I've had my purse returned to me three times now, but one time it took a while to get back to me. I'd left it in the loo in the Students Union and it took a while for them to track me down by department.

the only time it hasn't been returned is when I know it was stolen, as it was taken from a bag left hanging off the buggy when I went to retrieve my errant toddler.

I would and have returned. It was actually a lost purse with money in. I don’t understand those who wouldn’t, it’s stealing

Someone dropped a new £5 obtained from the service till when walking towards me, totally unaware, I picked it up and ran after them. I think to think someone would do that if it happened to me( yes I can dream)

I was walking my dog years ago and saw a lady on the other side of the road chasing and picking up what looked like pieces of paper blowing along the road. Thought nothing of it as it was windy.

Rounded the corner and saw something big and black on the road. It was an iPhone! As I bent to pick it up it rang, the owner had left his wallet and phone on the roof of his car and driven off

I waited for him to come back and handed it over. Not even a thank you. He asked me if I'd seen the wallet and I said no, but I got the distinct impression he didn't believe me.

A couple of days later I bumped into the woman who had been picking up the 'paper'. She had found the wallet further up the road and the cash was blowing away so she had gone after it. She went through his cards, found a golf membership and rang the club, and asked them to pass on her contact details to the owner. She told me he turned up and again, didn't even thank her!

I've also left my purse on the bus, ran back within 5 minutes (bus parked at the station) but couldn't find it. Eventually got a call from my bank to say it had been handed into a branch, but all the cash was gone

I'd still return if I found another one. People can be rude arseholes but I know how stressful it is when you lose a wallet/purse!!

100% yes
I’d post on all FB pages and if no joy... police

Might have kept the cash when young and poor but always handed in the wallet.

I've had mine knicked a lot in London. Was completely stunned when mine was returned via the marie in France (from the south to the north). Complete with francs and pounds. Changed my attitude (early 20's).

Yes I would. Have you checked local Facebook pages? There are always people trying to return lost bank cards etc on ours.

I found a phone in a park once and took it home, as I figured soon enough they'd try to ring it which they did and then collected it from my house.

Return it.
Many years ago my Dad lost his wallet in London (Pre internet/ mobiles etc). He got to the station and realised, had to ring my Mum who went to the station near home and paid fir him to travel, and they let him on a train.
A week later, his wallet arrived in the post. It had fallen out in the taxi, and the Driver had posted it back, fully intact. No return address, no way my Dad could thank him. It’s always warmed my heart. This is indeed how the world should work.

I found a coin wallet with a few pounds in it and a bank card in a car park. I posted it to the bank so they could trace the owner.

Without question!

When I was in 6th form Iost my purse when I'd walked into town for my lunch. It had my drivers license in (only had it a couple of months), and some sentimental items, anyway; I just thought that was the last I'd see if it.

When I got home, an elderly man had driven to my house (good 30 min drive) and dropped it off 😭 it was so kind and I've never forgotten it (15 years later) and it meant so much to me, I would always try to do the same for someone else.

In France someone saw 300€ as it fell out of my pocket in a restaurant and told me. It was rent ready to go to the bank. Another time someone handed my forgotten bank card into my bank.

Good examples set by strangers have an impact.

Police station .... wouldn’t go looking through someone’s wallet to search for an address.