Is it okay to keep money found on the ground? I mean … What are the ethics of found money?
The reason I bring this up is because last week, while walking in a parking lot, I found a $10 bill laying on the pavement. And the feeling that came over me was similar to when I get a really thoughtful birthday present — or when I find a crumpled sawbuck in the pocket of a winter coat I haven’t worn for many months.
I know what you’re thinking: So, Len, did you consider trying to find the rightful owner?
You bet! I thoroughly scanned the parking lot, looking for people who may have dropped it. And while I did see two folks walking to their cars, they didn’t look like people irresponsible enough to have carelessly dropped five-bucks.
So I kept the cash.
Besides, I believe Federal and State law says — and I’m paraphrasing here — finders keepers, losers weepers.
Finding loose money on the ground is kind of like winning the lottery, although the payoff is a lot smaller. Perhaps it’s more accurate to say it’s like winning a lottery scratcher — not that I do that sort of thing.
Anyway, that was only the second time in my life that I ever found something other than a loose coin on the ground.
The other time was back when I was in third grade; I found a ten-dollar bill while walking to school. Yep. I could barely contain myself when I found it too! After all, that was a lot of cash back then — equivalent to more than $80 today.
Hey, give a kid eighty bucks today and he’ll think he won the lottery too.
Needless to say, by lunch time, every kid on campus knew about my good fortune.
The Ethics of Found Money
Of course, there’s found money — and then there’s found money. Obviously, there is a point where the amount of found cash becomes large enough that not turning it in to the authorities becomes an ethical issue.
The question is: Where do we draw the line?
To me, the answer is totally dependent on the circumstances.
I’m sure a lot of you will disagree with my assertion that a single loose bill as large as $100 aimlessly blowing in the street should be considered a personal windfall, no pun intended.
However, I also believe that a wad of cash, or multiple bills tied up with, say, a rubber band or a money clip is absolutely not a windfall. In those cases, I would certainly turn the currency in.
I would also turn in a $100 bill laying on the floor of any business establishment. Or, say, the backseat of a taxi. That’s because, in both cases, I can easily envision the owner quickly determining exactly where he lost his cash.
If the money is in a wallet, purse or any other container with identification, then I think that money should also be turned in – regardless of whether it held $10 or $10,000.
What Do You Say, Readers?
I’m curious to know what is the most amount of money you have ever found?
Do you think it’s unethical to keep a $100 bill you find on the ground, rather than turn it in to the authorities? If so, would you also turn in a loose one-dollar bill to the authorities as well?
When it comes to the ethics of found money, where do you draw the line?
Photo Credit: shutterstock
I once found $20 laying on the ground when I was walking into a football stadium. Bought me two beers with it and had a couple bucks left over for a pretzel.
That had to be 25 years ago, T-bone! Today that $20 bill might buy you a single beer. Maybe.
I found 1,008.35 earlier today in a bank envelope. I assume it was that much, I did not actually count it but the tellers ticket in the envelope said it was that much. I contacted the establishment where I found it, they volunteered to hold it for me (I declined), I left my telephone number. I called the bank associated with it, and through reading the teller ticket I was able to determine when it was cashed and where. I returned it to the bank and hoped the customer would call me or the bank. The bank currently has the persons money. I could really have used the money too. Sometimes it hurts to do the right thing.
Update, the customer has their money back. It was, actually, his birthday today. They didn’t think they were going to ever see that money again.
Just last night some guy took our parking spot Bc we were going to get rolled ice cream, so we had to park down the block. When I got out of the passengers side of the car I found four 20$ bills! We had just found 80$ so we kept it. We think it was karma
Not sure if this is luck .I found 100.00 in a money clip also had a lawyer’s business card attached .I turned it in. as luck would have it one month later I found another 100.00 bill just lying on the floor no identity attached. I kept it.the universe was trying to tell me something
I would also look around to see if anyone appeared to be searching for the missing money. If so, I would give it back to them. Most times, the person has no idea they have lost it and there is no possible way to give it back to them. So, then it becomes a gift.
We recently lost an Angel’s ticket on the way into the stadium and it was quickly gone. I’m certain someone watched us drop it and neglected to tell us. That seems more like stealing and I wouldn’t do that. I’d much rather buy something innexpensive than to obscond with it. I value my integrity at much higher than $20.
The most money I ever found was $10. I was at an indoor mall. The place was full of people but I didn’t bother asking if somebody lost it. I figured half the people there would have said something like “sure I lost it”. Then what? Do I make everybody draw straws? This is ten bucks, not somebodys life savings. Sometimes you should thank your lucky stars and accept what is given to you because sometimes it isn’t practical to hunt down the owner.
My mom found $100 in a wallet when we were in walmart recently. The woman was elated to get it back.
I have to admit, there was a time in our lives when we would have taken the money and found a way to justify doing it. When $100 is 1/2 your weekly pay…it’s really easy to convince yourself it was a gift from god or something.
Luckily, these days, not only can I live without the $100, but give alot to others as well. I also remember what it felt like when my cell phone was returned instead of sold on ebay. Priceless.
Len, do you think it’s easier to be ethical when you have your basic needs met? I sure do. So, as I tangenate totally off topic, I truly believe the best way to reduce crime by working to reduce poverty. These gray areas soon turn into stealing and then to fraud, and who knows what else.
I agree with you 100%
The movie A Simple Plan was all about the ethics of found money. If you haven’t seen it, it’s great:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120324/
I found $20 on the floor by the printer at my job. I sent an email out that I had found some money. No one claimed it for two days. I guess $20 falling out of their pocket was chump change.
I just found $20 in our boardroom and sent the very same email. I went to this site to decide whether or not it was right to send the email out. I could really use the cash but doing the right thing trumps all.
Good for you, Erik!
Timely post!
An employer that I haven’t worked for in a year accidently posted an $800 payment into my bank account just yesturday. Yes, I contacted them and it is indeed an error and I will be sending the $ back shortly.
Now, this is a State University which is already hurting for $ and they were great to work for. I was a contract employee and left on my own accord in good standing. Had I been fired, laid-off, etc I don’t think I would have been so honest!
D you bring up a good point. I find it hard to cheat an employer although many people think they are fair game. One of my former employers bring that type of behavior on themselves. I was ordered to take a class which cost me 650 bucks. I was supposed to be reimbursed for the course and books. My boss lost the paper work and I missed the deadline for reimbursement. It is hard to be honest with a company that acts in that manner.
Once I had a corporate client over pay me by 10 grand. I told them about it….and they never asked for it back.
Years ago I found a bank envelope with someones shopping list in the grocery store parking lot. I don’t know how much money was in it, I didn’t look. I did take it inside, and gave it to the cashier (this is a very small town) who later gave me a cute crocheted bookmark from the happy to be reunited with her cash retiree. It still makes me smile when I use it.
I found $17 bucks in a parking lot once. It was blowing across the lot. There was a woman nearby getting out of her car, I thought she dropped it. I asked and she said nope, it’s not hers.
No one else near by, I figured. Well, It’s mine.
My rule is this: if the money is lost with ID (like someone lost their wallet), then I will return it. Otherwise, maybe not.
have to admit though this post has me thinking….
I do the same thing you do. I look for a possible owner. But if I don’t find him I would keep the money. I have found a little bit of money here and there, but nothing over $20.
However, I have left $140 at the cash machine a while ago, when I took money out of the ATM and I was unusually absent-minded. When I went back after a few minutes, the money was gone. Too many people must have used the ATM already. I hope that the person who found it really needed it and had good use for it.
As for me, I was a little annoyed with myself but I also realized that not even that much money made a difference in the bigger scheme of things. I have gotten by very well without those $140.
I once found $100. I went to a shop and bought some food for the homeless in that area.
I work in retail and the store have atm so I found $40 in the atm I decided to keep and return to the manager the next day …. there a lady asking for that …. so I told to customers to come back ask the manager but she have attitude … so my manager say how come I don’t say something right away … I got scared. To lose my job
I stopped carrying cash for this very reason. I got tired of worrying that I would leave it someplace or drop it. I know you can lose a card, but it is only one object to keep track of, as opposed to a number of bills and coins.
Actually, about a month ago, I found a $100 bill on the ground at a grocery store. At first, I thought it was fake. Then I figured it was some evil hidden camera show. But no one popped out.
I hovered in the area for three or four minutes, doing visual sweeps of the surrounding area. I figured if I saw someone looking around on the ground in a panicked way, I’d do the honorable thing.
But they didn’t. And I knew I should probably turn it in to the customer service people.
But I didn’t. I felt a little guilty but no one seemed to notice it was missing while I was there — as you said a single bill may not be noticed for awhile.
Also, I once managed to lose over $300 — back when that’s what I got from the state for the month while I waited to get on disability. I retraced my steps, called the stores. Nada. So I figure now karma only owes me $200.
I’m a US citizen living in a third world country, and I can’t bring myself to pick up even 20 toea (equal to about 8 US cents). I always think that someone else could probably use it more than me.
Len,
My conscience has been stirred.
I was in the Bahamas swimming in the ocean. I looked and saw a $1 bill buried under a little sand. I swam down to get it and then it looked like it has an extra zero. By the time I grabbed the bill it had two zeros. Yep a $100 bill.
I kept it. I didn’t even ask anyone about it. Like I fool I spent the money. Actually, I wanted to frame it and my wife called me a fool for trying to save it instead of spend it.
Do I have an ethical responsibility to fly back to Paradise Island to try to make right the injustices of my youth? Please say yes.
No.
Harsh Len.
If you are walking in the middle of the road and you pick a penny, then perhaps, you can say it’s your “lucky penny”..
but there definitely is an element of ethics here. For example, should be take a tennis ball outside a public tennis court when there is no one around? My son used to do that?
If you work in the lost and found area, do you give away stuff after nobody claims it for a long long time?
My son once took a ski pole in the mountains when it was there for ages! We returned it but nobody claimed it!
Perhaps we have to also “distinguish” things which people do not expect to get back if they are careless.
Examples:
1. you drop a coin
2. you lose $5
3. a plain old black umbrella
4. tennis balls with no name written on it..
But I think folks expect people to be more honest if
1. you lose your wallet – or at least expect them to return it even if they take the cash (that is why I use credit cards!)
2. you left your bag of shopping stuff in the bathroom!
I’m a tennis player and something non-players do not realize is that we only play with a set of new balls one time. After we are done playing we might save the balls for practice but usually we throw them away. If there were balls on the public court then they were intentionally discarded. Only beginner players play with balls more than once. They lose pressure and are not very playable after the first day they are opened if you are hitting the balls hard.
I lost a wallet with over $300 in it the other day, I got a call as soon as another tennis player found it, it was returned intact with nary a dollar missing. We may throw money away on new tennis balls but we are very honest!
I have only been finding pennies where I live so maybe I need to move where some of you live…ha ha.
I would look around to see if someone was looking for something and ask that person if it was more than $5 (unless it was a kid!!!). If I find one dollar HONESTLY I am not going to ask around..especially in a big store.
Now if it happened at work..there are only 10 on staff and our students are not allowed to have money so I would ask then…even if it was $1 because my coworkers are constantly at the vending machine.
I keep the money too after looking around… The most I have found about $40 at the time (20 english pounds). I used it to buy a second hand tv tuner for my Sega Game Gear and it made my day :).
As for larger money, yes it should be turned in, and I would never fleece a wallet and then hand it in, the whole contents gets back. I would either contact the person through any way I could in their wallet or go to the police.
I don’t know if it’s the same in USA but in England if you find something, hand it into the police and then check back in a few months…. if un-claimed you get to keep it, this is kind of fair.
Simple to me if I cannot find the owner the money is mine. If I find the owner than it is my moral duty to return it to the owner ASAP. I personally would never contact the police unless I had reason to suspect the money was stolen.
We found $60 (3 – $20’s) lying on the beach in Belize. No one was looking for it or ever came by asking if we found anything. So, we kept it.
There were two cruise ships at the port and I think probably somebody from the first ship lost it and didn’t realize it at the time.
. You are riding in a taxi and notice a $20 bill that has obviously fallen from someones wallet. What do you do?
I think it makes ethical sense to make a reasonable attempt at locating the owner. If you see the bill out of someone’s pocket, I would think there’s an ethical obligation to tap them on the shoulder. If there’s no one around, well… dinner’s on you.
I deal with this a lot, as I deal with Japanese tourists who don’t understand tipping where I work. It’s fairly common for them to leave an extra 100 and then you have to go back and correct the error even though they wouldn’t have a clue that they made a mistake…
If it’s in a parking lot thought with nobody around, I’m taking it!
My wife once found several hundred dollar bills scattered on the floor of a comic book shop. She talked to the store’s owner and he’d had a customer in earlier that day who drove over an hour to get there and would normally buy over a thousand dollars worth of comics once a month (that’s what we were told anyway.) Well when he opened his wallet bills flew everywhere, and obviously he didn’t find them all. The comic book guy called his customer up and returned it. The owner of the money gave my wife a free comic, so that’s cool. I think your responsibility to find the owner is proportional to the value of what is found. The bigger the find the more you should do to find the owner.
I work at one of the retailers inside of a Walmart. One of the customers of the bank in Walmart had withdrawn $200 in cash and left the money (inside of a cash envelope) near the shoe department. Somebody located the cash envelope, but there was no identification with the money. This person promptly returned the envelope to the bank, and eventually, the customer did call to inquire whether or not someone had returned the money.
I personally think there is a big difference between finding a $5 note and finding a wad of cash. Consider those moments little tests from Karma herself. If you do justice onto others, you will be justified for your actions. Even if the person doesn’t thank you personally, you will see the natural benefits of being an honest and caring individual. It is easy to see forgotten money as “god’s little gift” to you when you think of it in that light; but, regardless of whether or not somebody appears to be searching for that money does not matter. You did nothing to earn or deserve that money other than be in the right place at the right time. If it were me, and I found $200 outside in the woods, with no place to “turn the money in” so to speak, I will give it to someone who truly DID need the money.
BS
1) Less grumbling, more thanksgiving.
2) Less spending, more saving.
3) Less dreaming, more working.
4) Less depending on self, more trusting in God.
”What should you do less and what should you do more?”
LESS IS MORE.
I was at a bar with a friend once and we decided to shoot a game of pool. I looked into one of the corner pockets and there was a wad of cash. I turned to my friend and said, “You paid the tab right? Walk to the front door and when you get outside start jogging until I yell run”
It ended up being $360 and I gave my buddy $100 to keep quiet.
Mind you, I’ve had 2 mopeds stolen from me on prior occasions, both locked up but apparently not well enough. The $260 I ended up with doesn’t scratch what was unlawfully taken from me. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
One time I found a $10 bill on the toilet paper dispenser. Spent it on a DVD. Another time this ATM machine literally ate my $20 dollar. Right before I could take it.
I once found $50 on the floor when I was working as a waitress. I bragged to my co-worker that I found a 50, and she automatically told me she lost 50. I gave it to her but don’t think I beleived her.
I work for foodstore. A few days ago I found a $100 bill on the floor, at the store I work for. I picked it up & put it in my pocket. I just got susspended today, pending termination. The store security services got it on the camera & considerred it stealling. I’ve worked for that store for the past 13 years…
I’m sorry to hear about your situation, Milka.
Like I mentioned in the article, I would have turned the bill in too in that exact situation — but that’s me.
That being said, I don’t see how they can say finding a $100 bill on the ground and putting it in your pocket is stealing. The store can argue — rightly or wrongly — that it causes them to question your character, but I fail to see how it is stealing.
My spouse was working at a food store for a short time and he found $20 on the floor. He opted to turn it in so that it would not look bad, but never did get the money.
We’re pretty sure the customer service employee just pocketed it, but at least he did not get accused of stealing.
I think you got a bad deal getting fired, but unfortunately I think most retail stores these days would take that same course of action.
So i was walking my dog around my neighborhood and I spotted a dollar bill on the gound. The natural thing to do is pick it up, but what I did was look for money… and right in front of me was $20 bill and another one. I looked around to see if anybody was out but no one was out walking or picking up leaves or anything. I haven’t spent the money yet, I’m still deciding whether or not to hunt for the person who lost their money.
I just found pretty heavy inside an envelope, just outside a gas station. I am trying to give this money back to the one who lost it, but I don’t know how. All I have is money inside an envelope with a bill of a store with his four last digit of credit/debit card. Is there any way I can track him and give this money to him. I really don’t want it to go to the wrong hand.
Why don’t you give your number to the gas station manager. That way when the person who lost it retraces his steps he can give you a call. I’d also put a poster up in the window of the gas station, assuming management lets you, announcing you found a wallet. Make the claimant give you the last 4 digits of their credit card (and if you are still unsure, the name of the store they shopped at on the receipt, or what they bought there).
Decent info. Many thanks!
I would return any large amount of money to the person who lost it. For varification I would need them to give me the serial numbers on the bills. This does not include drug dealers, I would just beg them not to kill me.
you just made my day
try this hypothetical scenario:
you see a piece of luggage on the side of the road that you are driving on and curiosity gets the better of you…you stop to retrieve it and find that both latches are unlocked and one is already open. you open the luggage all the way and find stacks of $100 bills totaling $2 million.
There are no other vehicles or witnesses to your actions…just you and nature.
Do you:
1-Take it all home and say nothing to anyone?
2-Take it to the nearest police station, explain the circumstances of your find and ask for a receipt to prove you dropped off the bag of money?
3- Place ads in the Lost & Found section of several newspapers and detail where the bag was found but not the contents or description of the bag, requesting any interested party describe that to you for proof?
Well this depends on how much you believe a situation like No Country for Old Men can happen….
But you should give to authorities if we’re being truly honest because 2 mill in a suit case probably came from “ill gotten gains”🤣
I actually just found $20 In a gas station. A couple people were in and out but no one seemed to be searching for dropped money. It was in a bad part of town with shady characters and had the feeling if I approached these people they would just say it was theirs anyway. I even thought the clerk would just keep it. I went in my truck and sat there for 5 minutes to see if anyone came in looking for the cash with no luck. Now I am feeling guilty for keeping the money. Maybe I’ll give it to a charity or something like that. What are your thoughts?
I was at a party last night and I found a £10 note on the floor I looked to see if anyone was looking for it but I dont think they noticed because they were most likely quite drunk I dont want to ask everyone if they lost it because knowing my friends half of them would say they did. That night someone who managed to get into the party uninvited stole a friends bag with their phone and train/bus card and also tried to steal the hosts nintendo wii. Anyway what shall I do I have considered giving the money to the person who had her bag stolen as a sort of compension even though im sure the money wasnt hers. If a person does come forward and say they lost the money i would give it to them but for now it is quite a nice find
Found $80 on the street next to the sidewalk today. I thought it was weird how they lost it at a outlet mall. Must have droppped it when the were leaving. So I’m just sitting here wondering about the person who dropped it. I hope it wasn’t from a hidden camera show thing. I shouted and pointed at it before I picked it up so whoever dropped it wasn’t around to hear me. I think I’ll use it to buy gifts for my loved ones 🙂 Like Edward Scissorhands
Hi. What a coincidence. My name is Tim too. And I found a $20 bill in a gas station today. I’m concerned that maybe I did not do the thing that was right by my conscience.
I was standing in line and had just pulled out my own $20 bill to pay for gas when I looked down a few feet in front of me and I saw a $20 folded in half, lying on the floor. I don’t remember whether or not I looked around first but after I picked it up Ilooked to the two customers in line in front. The guy directly in front. Of me had not yet taken out his wallet and the woman in front of him was at the counter with her billfold opened up. I know I. Didnt see the bill drop so I looked to the woman atr to see if she looked distressed. She didn’t. I still considered asking her if she had lost any money. I would have gladly given it back. But I wafraid if it wasn’t hers I would have to give it to the cashier. Another counter opened up and I went and paid for my gas. All the while listening to see if anyone mentioned losing it. I left after not hearing anything although I could have given another look. I feel sketchy and dishonest now because I don’t think I did all I could have done. I feel like crap now and wish I hadn’t seen the thing at all. What should I do?
I don’t think I’d do anything at this point, Tim. I suspect whoever lost the $20 either: a) wrote it off, or b) won’t ever recognize that they lost it.
It’s impossible to know for sure who dropped that bill. Would I have asked the lady at the front of the line if she had all her money? Yes. But if it makes you feel any better, based upon your story, I strongly suspect it wasn’t hers.
Don’t beat yourself up and chalk it up to good fortune for you.
Although, the next time you’re in a similar situation … speak up!
Today,I found a 20 stuck in the hard mud (heavy frost) and pulled it out. It was about a foot from the kerb in a residential area. I picked it up but it’s a street with lots of apartments and cars so I wouldn’t really know where to start… what should I have done? Just left it? I am feeling guilty now, I am thinking of taking it back and just sticking it back in the mud which seems a bit of an extreme solution.
I wouldn’t feel guilty. Enjoy the windfall! I suspect the money was lost long ago. Also, the amount is relatively small, so I suspect the odds are better than average that the person may not have ever missed it.
Let me make this clear for you people, some of you are idiots. Here’s my philosphy on finding money. If you’re stupid enough to not keep good hold of your money, then when someone like me finds it, well like they say…stuff happens! I’m not posting this to be a real iodiot, I have found purses and wallets on the ground and yes, I turned it in to the police or store owner. But all the times I’ve found loose money, which has been the amount of over $100 over the past year 1/2. You can bet your ass the money is mine, I mean come on do you do good deeds?? If so, it’s karma paying your ass back!! Last night I was at the mardi gras parade in Florida, I found $10 on the ground now if there’s over 35,000 people there you think I’m gonna fuckin ask every single person, if you think I would than you’re a effin idiot!! Moral of this story, keep hold of your effing money, cause if ya don’t tough!!
Well we know who the real idiot is now! And please don’t swear. It makes your comment look even more idiotic. Cheers😉
I’ve always hewed to the idea that if I can identify the owner, I will return it. Identifying the owner of loose change or a note in the street is virtually impossible.
I also know from actual experience what I’d do if I find a wallet, filled with cash, personal documentation, drivers licenses and the like. I simply locate the owner, bag it up, and give it back to them.
Interestingly enough, most of my friends whom I asked what they thought I should do felt I should have kept the money as a finders fee, but returned everything else.
You know, it never even ocurred to me.
The most I found was 160 dollars in cash on the ground at a music festival. I already received a comp ticket to the festival so my luck just got 160x better. I used all of it that night to buy alcohol for people.
I am feeling a bit guilty because today I found what I thought was a $5 bill under my tire when I was pumping gas. It turned out to be a $50 which gives me much more pause (and guilt) than a fiver. However, it was outdoors, no one was around except me and a guy who pulled in after me. It could have been dropped there but it’s been very windy lately so it also could have blown in from any of the nearby businesses. Sure, I could have taken it inside but I really don’t trust a convenience store cashier to not pocket it. Although, had I found it inside the store I absolutely would have turned it in.
Considering the circumstances, I think you can rest easy. Enjoy your windfall, Guin!
I found $300 today in the grocery store and turned it in…it’s what my heart told me to do..but my wallet was a little angry with me….hope the owner was able to get it!
I’m broker than broke…. I just found a wallet in the mens room at my job. $115 in cash inside… I had to turn it in. I felt bad even counting it. I hope karma pays off.
It will, gb.
For what it is worth, I would have turned it in too. It was the right thing to do. After all, that wasn’t a random $20 laying in the gutter.
I just recently lost 50 dollars in dollar tree. It was a couple of twenties and some ones that I just earned waitressing all day. If it were just twenty, I would expect someone to pick it up and use it to their advantage. However, I think anything more than that and especially if it is not just a 50 dollar bill that the person should have informed the manager. I went back two times frantic because of the fact that I am a full time student who works over 30 hours a week and that is a full tank of gas which means the world. If it were dropped outside, then yes take it because there is no way to find the owner.
What a bummer, Kayli. I’m very sorry. I’m sure it won’t make you feel any better but, for what it’s worth, I agree with you.
When our son was about ten he brought his clothing allowance to date (about $30) with him to the local thrift store and either dropped it around the ranks or in the dressing room. It was in an envelope. No one returned it. It was a considerable hit for him as at that point our budget was $120 per person a year. And it meant he couldn’t buy anything. So I think this rule would be best. if it’s lost inside a building, bring it to customer service. If it’s blowing down the street and you don’t see anyone who looks like they may have lost it and if it’s a larger bill bring it to the police station. If it’s a smaller bill then keep it. But make every effort to return it.
My then 9-year old son found a $100 bill laying on the ground of a retail store. He brought it directly to me and I struggled with the “right thing to do”. This was a teachable moment for my son and I felt we had to make an honest effort to find the owner and return the money. He and I walked up and down every nearby aisle looking for someone that was clearly in search of their missing cash. We found no one…
We ended up talking to the store manager and telling them we found a substantial amount of cash in section xxxxxx of the store; I did not turn it over or state exactly how much we found as I feared it would just end up in the manager’s pocket. I did leave my name and number and told the manager if anyone came in asking about the cash, to have them call me.
After a week of no calls re: the cash, it was deposited to the bank in my son’s name.
I lost a $100 bill along with other cash, maybe $200 total. The cash was rubber banded to my credit cards and driver’s license. I know, not the smartest way to carry stuff. When I discovered the missing cards, money and license, i returned to the parking lot of the grocery where I figured I had lost them, probably when I pulled car keys from my pocket. Nothing to be found, no surprise, and nothing turned in to the store. The following day an envelope appeared in my mail with the credit cards and driver’s license enclosed. I was astounded, first by the timeliness and the fact that I’d gotten anything back.
The story gets better. At a gathering at my home the next day I related what had happened and how relieved I was to get back the cards and license. One of those hearing the story asked, “Was there a $100 bill in the cash that was lost?” I indicated there was and he then said, “I know where your $100 bill is. I found it on the floor of the pizza place near where I live and gave it to the owner with the hope he could find the previous customer who probably dropped it.” The following Sunday the man who is a church friend presented me with my $100 bill which the owner of the store gave back to him since no one had claimed it. The whole incident has been fascinating to say the least. There was plenty of doing the right thing by every one involved and I feel blessed to have been part of it.
Wow! That is an amazing story, Steve.
I would like to think I would turn in anything over $50 where the owner could reasonably be identified.
Last year I was pumping gas one morning during a downpour and noticed a bunch of scratcher tickets on the ground. Grumbling about lazy slobs who can’t even hit the trash bin a few feet away, I picked them up and realized they weren’t scratched yet. It was five $1 tickets. I debated turning them in, but did not want to run through the rain just before work to do so, so I tossed them in my car and went on my way. I felt a little guilty, especially as one of those tickets won $2, but then I used that to buy a $2 scratcher on which I won nothing.
If those tickets had been lost with something with a name on it, though, there is so way I would have kept them. Losing a driver’s license or credit card is much more nerve wracking than losing some cash. And returning the IDs and not the other stuff found with it feels really sleazy.
I would suppose the finder rationalized that the cash was a “finder’s fee”. I would have much preferred to have had the opportunity to offer the person a reward for getting the cards and license back to me.
I found $10 once. Kept it. At work, we have found a lot of money, and it is all taped up to an office door. Nobody claimed it. It’s been years. We should probably buy donuts.
When I was 17, I used to read the lost and found in the paper for fun. My mom was a bank teller. She came home from work one day and said that someone lost money that week and someone else found it and turned it in to the bank (it was in a bank envelope).
I said “yeah, $92”. She looked at me like I was crazy. “How did you know that? I didn’t tell you that! It’s secret until we find the owner.” I said “oh, someone put a note in the lost and found that they lost $92”.
So the owner got their $92 back (well, they gave me a finder’s fee of $2).
Marcia, I laughed at the $2 finders fee, and then I remembered … you could actually buy some decent stuff for $2 a long time ago. (Now, I’m crying.)
With some time to kill, I admired a tooled leather purse at a flea market booth one December Saturday when my kids were small and my car was being repaired. Doing what all women do, I looked inside: a white hanky, black pen, and a wad of folded money were inside. I decided to buy that purse–it was marked $4.00. I figured I’d take my chances if the clerk looked inside (she didn’t). When I got home, I counted the money–$137.00. I had a little more money for Christmas gifts that year!
I have found money on more than one occasion, over the years. The largest amount was a $20 bill on the floor of a grocery store. I went to the service desk and asked if anyone had reported losing money. When they said no, I kept it.
Same thing happened at work. Found a $20 on the floor. I took it to my supervisor, and they said if no one reported it within 10 days, I would get it. And 10 days later, they gave me the money.
I was leaving a fast food place one time and found $5 right outside the door. It wasn’t there when I had entered, so I took it in and asked if it belonged to anyone. A young man in line claimed it.
I once found a purse in a shopping cart outside the Target. Took it home and called the person (from her driver’s license) and called the police. The purse had $800, jewelry and medicine. Packed for a vacation! The police came and took the purse back to its owner. I later received a $50 Target gift card in the mail.
I have never found any bills lying in the ground ever. I found a couple of coins though.
Just to answer your question, I will definitely return the money to its rightful owner, but if I can’t find him or her, I will just donate the money to charity.
Last summer, my family and I were on a bike ride on a gravel path. I was riding behind my wife and suddenly yelled “Stop!” and braked to a halt. I jumped off my bike and I think my wife thought I was having a medical emergency or something. I took a few steps back and confirmed what I don’t even really recall seeing but somehow my brain had processed: Money! It was a 20 dollar bill. It was very dust covered so it had been there awhile, and there wasn’t anybody within a quarter mile of us anyways. I added it to our ‘go out for ice cream’ fund.
My wife and I once found a checkbook with about $700 inside in Wendy’s and turned it in to the manager. We saw the owner return to claim it and he was definitely did not look like a person of means – I’m guessing it was his rent money. We absolutely did the right thing in this case
On the other hand I was with a mutual friend who found 2 $100 bills in an elevator in an automated municipal parking ramp with nobody around. I had no qualms keeping my half.
I didn’t know there was a law regarding found money. The most I’ve ever found was $6, I kept it. Though Trader Joes gave me an additional three bottles of wine accidentally a few months back. I took them back to the store.
I like to always at least try when I find lost anything. The big problem with trying to return lost money I found in a crowded public place is that everyone is going to try to claim that it was originally theirs
I think the same way you do, Len. I’ve found a $5 bill in front of my apartment building several years ago and had no problem keeping it. Also found a $1 bill near the same location a few months later.
In October 2012, I was gassing up at a Walmart and spotted a wad of cash next to a car’s front tire. The car’s driver was busy at the gas pump and hadn’t seen me. I asked her if she’d lost something and when she asked me, “Like what?”, I showed it to her. The look on her face was priceless – an “OMG, that’s my money!” look. She rewarded me with $25. I felt a little funny about taking it, but didn’t want to seem ungracious. Besides, I wasn’t working at the time and could definitely use it. I figured that she’d just gotten her entire paycheck cashed and could afford to be generous. I just hope she’s become more careful with money since then.
Years ago, I found $5 on the floor at the supermarket. I looked up, and the first thing I saw was the Salvation Army bucket. So I put it in there.
I remember before, when my younger sister was only eight years old, she found a PHP 500 equivalent to $12. She picked it up and we’ve waited for 5 minutes if somebody would ask about the money, but then no one came to us. So we decided to put it on her personal savings.
Back in ’82 I watched a man drop something from his pocket at the worlds fair. I ran over and picked up a folded bill and yelled after him hey mister you dropped something g. He turned and snarled at me to leave him the bleeping bleep alone and left fast. Mom saw the whole thing and judged I should keep the bill…which turned out to be $100! When we realized it was so much he was long gone.
But I have always said the only way I could rationalize keeping a large sum would be if it was wrapped up with illegal drugs…some levels of stupid just don’t need to be treated like intelligence.
So while I was working I have found money on the floor it was an 100 dollar bill, the only confusing part about the situation was that it wasn’t any where near the register, and I haven’t taken any customers that had cash… So I assume it was either a customers or my draw, so I didn’t give it in yet I ask a manager to count the draw so that it was for sure my register, she came back told me that the draw was missing 100 and I gave the 100 dollars to her telling her that the money was not near the register and I picked it up not intentionally going to keep it but to make sure, she told me that what i did was wrong. Now my question is, in this scenario can I get fired for my actions ?
I don’t see how what you did was wrong, Barry. I would have asked my manager to check to see that the money in the drawer matched the register receipts without mentioning the $100 you found. Then, if it was $100 short, I’d turn in the money. If not, I would have kept the $100 for myself.
Heck, your manager may have told you the register was $100 short and then kept the money for herself!
I once found $78 lying on the edge of a sidewalk on my way to the apartment complex. I pocketed it. The complex I live at is expensive enough that whoever dropped it could probably make it back in a day.
I found $400 in the parking lot of where I work a few weeks ago. I turned it in to my manager. I was told today that they were giving me an award (certificate) for being honest and they will give me part of the money and the company will keep the rest to use for employee parties. If I had kept the money and gotten caught, I would have been fired. If I had turned the money over to the police and no one claimed the money, I would have been given all of it.
That stinks. I think it is wrong for the company to keep any portion of the money. You found it and turned it in in good faith. Since nobody claimed it, ALL of that money should be yours — not a portion of it — but that’s my opinion.
I found $310 in an apt hallway and had a good suspicion which tenant it belonged to. I was tempted to keep it; but remembered when I once lost $100 and it was returned to me. One good turn deserves another. After thinking about it for a week, I returned the money.
I see allot of Excuses being made for ones selves reading through these comments and that is a sure fire sign your probably knowingly doing something wrong and having to justify your own actions. honesty does not need justification. If money is found that was “NOT” yours to begin with why would you pocket it? Its completely understandable that Cash without ID is hard to find a rightful owner, and if you think it’s just your lucky day then the next time you lose your wallet or keys why bother tracing your steps and asking if someone turned them in? seems like a complete contradiction, are you so entitled someone should be sure to turn in your belongings without the same expectations appended to yourself?
I personally feel the author nailed this one, if found on the property of an establishment (inside or outside) The cash should be turned in regardless the amount after all it wasn’t yours to begin with. If more than a couple bucks is found in public on a sidewalk, a park, or such you should follow local laws and turn it over to the Police Dept, I understand very few people would ever go their looking for it but you never know as a matter of fact the only thing you can be sure of is the fact it wasn’t yours to begin with.
I have noticed the younger generations have absolutely no problem in taking whats not there’s and always keeping an eye out for themselves, where words like “Scam” and “theft” were once frowned upon they have been replaced with “Opportunity” just keep in mind once the older generations have passed you will only be left to live with your own, making a change now could make a difference.
I found over $100 at an ATM that was outside a bank. I went in and gave the money to one of the bank folk, taking care to get their name. About a week later I went in to see if it had been collected. I was told some young folk had collected it, very relieved and thankful that someone had been honest enough not to keep it. Though in a way that was disappointing, who can’t use a little extra, it was very satisfying also to know that it got to the right people. (The bank person who told me this was not the same one I actually gave the money to either)
My husband just recently found a $100 bill in the floor of a store. He had dropped some change, bent over and grabbed it thinking he dropped some paper money as well. When he later went to take a dollar out of his wallet at vending machine he realized it was a $100 bill. I called the store and no one had called or came by to claim any lost money. So is it wrong to keep it. Should he return to store anyway?
No. Enjoy the windfall, Shellie!
I found $500 in a Target Store. Being a good Samaritian, turned the money over to a manager. A week later, I asked what they would do if no one claimed the money. I was told they would keep the money. I was told I’m not entitled to it. Well, if I knew Target would pocket the money, I would have just kept it for myself!
Yeah, that’s just wrong, Mrs. Smith. If nobody claims it, Target should give the money to you.
I was walking in the parking lot at my place of employment and saw a couple crumpled bills on the ground. I quickly picked them up and put them in my pocket. About 20 feet away another employee was getting in her car, we said “hello” as I walked by, then she drove off. I looked at the bills and it was a total of six dollars. Then it occurred to me, or its how I’m remembering it, that she was looking in her pockets or doing something similar. I felt bad that I didn’t ask if she dropped it, so I will not spend it. I’m going to keep that money in my locker at work, and the next time I see her, I’ll ask her.
Few weeks ago I found a credit card on the ground so I called the credit card company and they were shocked that someone would call a report a found card. I was shocked someone wouldn’t. About a week later my husband lost his credit card. Thank The Lord he found it in the parking lot at his gym.
Last week I lost $20 most likely at my county fair. Decided it was lost no one would turn it in and my fault for losing it. Today walking out of the grocery store I found $20. There was only one other person nearby and I was sure as she fumbled through her things that she had lost it but I had no proof she did and as I tried to think how to approach it she took off walking really fast so I chased her as yelled ma’am multiple times and she finally stopped it was pouring rain. I said did you loose some money and she said no I didn’t and threw her hands in the air in a way like it’s pouring and you stopped me for that kind of reaction. So I thought to myself no one else was around what do I do to find the owner or did I do enough? I decided I had done what was right and maybe this was how our lost $20 was replaced. I don’t know then I ended up on this page.
Ardnek, I think you did the right thing and should enjoy the $20.
I didn’t find cash, but an engagement ring valued at around $25,000 … and it was a perfect fit! I waited for an hour — until my 2nd grader came home from school — to take it to the police. I wanted to show my sons an example of doing the “right” thing, but when I got there I was rather put off by disbelief of the police station receptionists and a few of the officers that came to look at the newfound gem. The first thing out of each of their mouths was “and you brought this here?!?!?” Um, yeah … that’s how it goes, guys. WTH?
But it very much made me second guess myself: If really nobody expects me to turn it in, then why am I?
In the end an owner was supposedly found. I ended up knowing, indirectly, who it belonged to and they, in turn, should have known, indirectly who found it. But I never so much as receive acknowledgement. Just seems weird, honestly, not to receive any considering the value of the object.
I’ve even wondered if the officer who helped me actually kept it for himself. He was very mesmerized by the whole thing. I guess I’ll never know for sure where that ring ended up …
Regarding the Walmart customer who left an envelope of cash in the shoe dept, why did they not put it in their purse or pocket? How does anyone know that if the money is turned into the customer service desk, it gets returned to the owner? If there is no ID, I would keep it. If there was ID, I’d attempt to locate the owner myself and if I was not successful, I’d turn it into the police.
Those are fair questions to ask, Kathy. Perhaps the person took the envelope out their purse or wallet while rummaging through it for something else? As for trusting the customer service desk, I’ve wondered about that myself; in the end we have to have faith that they’ll do the right thing.
Less than ten dollars with no one around, i would just keep it. Around twenty, if no one looking, I give to a charity. More, Put found ad in paper or take to police, depending on where I am. In some parts of the world, the police would claim it without looking for an owner. Every situation is different.
Personally, Id keep any found money unless it is was obvious whod lost it. I remember a few years back Id found $100 along with another kid. Unfortunately, the other kid found the $100 slightly sooner than I did.
The kid looked at me in a surprised manner and promised to take it to security. Till this day I believe he just spent this money.
Those who live in the US, an alternative to going to the police is to drop a found purse or wallet into a u.s. postal service blue box or hand it to a carrier. We regularly deliver these items to the address on the ID; I’ve been a carrier for 5 years and have delivered several of these. I don’t think there is much risk the carrier would take it, because if a carrier retires and leaves $0.20 in their desk drawer it will sit there for all eternity because everybody is afraid to pick up coins that might technically belong to the Postal Service.
Found 3 $20 dollar bills at the shopping mall. Sat on a bench near where I found it for awhile. Nobody came looking. It was Christmas time so I donated it to charity. And I did take the tax deduction.
Wow. First of all, some of you are thieves. Shame on you. If someone lost money, you should try to return it. Secondly, legally you’re supposed to turn found money into the cops (at least in the U.S.). No one cares unless it’s more than a few bucks. I think $20 would be my cutoff. Being poor or having your money stolen in the past is no excuse for stealing someone else’s money, either. Unless you’re so poor that you’re starving.
My elderly mother left her purse in the shopping cart after putting groceries in her trunk. When she realized it, she went to the store’s customer service to see if someone turned it in. A bagger had found the purse and turned it in. She was so happy that she wanted to reward the bagger with a $20 bill. The money was gone. When she realized it had been taken and looked up, the customer service lady caught her eye and quickly turned away. My mom knew who took the money, and it wasn’t the bagger.
My wife and I once found a checkbook in a booth at Wendys that had some cash inside. We immediately turned it in to the manager. About 10 minutes later we overheard the manager talking to a couple saying something to the effect of “That a lot of money why don’t you count it” it was north of $1500. By the look of the couple this was probably their rent money or a sizable portion of their net worth.
Another time I was in a large parking ramp elevator with a coworker and found a couple of bills that turned out to be $200! I split it with the co-worker with no regrets
I found $20 on the ground when pumping gas once. I was going to turn it in at the convenience store there but decided who ever I handed it to would probably pocket it anyway so I kept it.
I saw what I thought was a dollar fall out of a man’s pocket at the 1982 World’s Fair. I was about 18 at the time and had gotten dirty helping babysit kids at the fair. I ran over and grabbed it, ran to him and said “hey mister you dropped this dollar”. He cussed at me, said leave me alone etc. My Mom was with me and said if that’s how he feels it is your dollar now. Later reached for that dollar to pay for a drink- it was a hundred. We decided Mr. Nasty deserved to lose his hundred. Wonder if he ever realized it was his own fault he lost it?
Yes, it is dependent on a lot of factors.
If it’s “lost money in the wind” as you put it, then it’s yours to keep.
If it’s in something that is identifiable as a wallet, purse, bank bag, or something of that kind, then of course, that’s up to the finder to discern their own course of action. I personally have found a wallet before, but it didn’t have any money in it or credit cards, only a couple of student passes and a drivers license. It was obviously a college student, so I put it in an envelope and mailed it to the address on the driver license.
If it’s a large amount of found money………such as a paper sack with wads of bills in it, then thats up for grabs. If you are lazy enough, stupid enough, or uncaring enough to put your money in a SAFE place and transport it in a SAFE and SECURE manner, then in my opinion, you deserve what you get.
You also have to consider the sense of theft itself. The government finds no remorse in stealing from the taxpayers. Politicians find no remorse or find it illegal to steal from their constituents.
Employers have no remorse or consideration for the employees they affect when they steal from employees. And yes, I’ve been on the receiving end of all of these, especially companies stealing money from my paycheck and not even hiding the fact….and the politicians, state, and government completely absolve themselves of all of this illegal activity.
And considering I’ve had nearly $50,000 stolen from my paychecks over the course of my employee lifetime from corrupt companies, and the government having stolen almost $75,000 from me over the course of my adult lifetime………
So I say……….finders keepers. If you’re careless enough to not keep track of your money, then you deserve to lose it.
What gets me is, these same people who will stand there scratching their heads about a dollar bill found on the pavement, will have absolutely no qualms about speeding over someone’s pet, child, or a pedestrian crossing the street.
9 months ago a secretary died. I currently hold her position. There are a lot of things she’s left behind and her family never came to claim. everything from adorable pen holders, photos, sewing equipment, just a lot of random stuff no one has ever had a problem with me using since i moved in. Under the desk theres a large container thats constantly in my feet space but 9 months ive ignored it. Until today. “What even is this!?” I looked inside a tiny peep hole….money. This whole time ive had a gallon water jug wrapped in a trashbag full of money at my feetertips. Turned out to be less than $50. Havent told anyone at the office. Is this wrong?
Why not use the cash to throw a small office get-together in honor of the previous secretary?
what does not wearing a winter coat for a while have for doing anything.
I literally found 500 dollars in a booth at where I work. I was bussing the table. I saw it was a wad of cash which had at least 2 100s and 2 50s. First I asked the servers if they dropped their tip pool. When I got a no from them I turned it into my manager. It was part of a Hispanic couples rent money. I feel bad because there is a tiny selfish part of me that wishes I kept it.
What Im about to say is not technically morally right but just hear me out ok. In my honest opinion, I think its idiotic to find a large sum of money and then not keep it. In this world its still survival of the fittest. Sure its not prehistoric levels of survival of the fittest but when it comes to having a livelihood in which you have a nice house with possibly a nice family as well, you need all the help you can get. Sure if your already a wealthy person then go ahead and return that money but if your a middle to low class citizen, then taking the risk of returning a large sum of money even though you dont know that youll be compensated for it is not at all worth it. Sure its wrong and its technically illegal but gosh darnitt, if I find $100 or more just laying around somewhere obviously Im gonna keep it. Ive got a family to feed, a mortgage to pay and so on. And sure Im not considering the idea that the money Im keeping could really help out whoever lost it, but honestly you should take into account yourself before others. Sure being nice pays off sometimes but at the end of the day nice guys finish last. And sure when I was growing up I hated the idea that that phrase was even remotely true but the cold hard fact about life is that you are one individual in a world full of millions of other individuals who are all fighting to survive for as long as possible the same way that you are. We all die alone and thats a tough pill to swallow. But before you die you should make choices that either benefit you and your family a lot more then making choices that benefit somebody else. Odds are of if you lost money whoever finds it will most likely keep it so do yourself a favor and dont be that nice guy who makes a foolish mistake of not making a choice that benefits you and you only. You should be selfish because at the end of the day not being selfish doesnt really benefit you that much, and even when it does, 9 times out of 10, being selfish is the right choice even if its morally wrong. Life is not a video game. Making somewhat morally wrong choices isnt going to give you a bad ending. Making sacrifices is what lifes all about. Obviously dont murder somebody or commit legit crimes or anything like that, thats not at all what Im saying. All Im saying is that most of the time when you think you should do something even if its morally not the nicest thing to, then you should probably do it. Just saying. Please dont hate me for saying this Im just giving my honest opinion. Im not a sociopath, Im just a normal guy trying to live a normal life.
Yes, it’s sad, but nice guys generally do finish last in last in life. But, there is also another thing out there called karma …
The other day I saw a mentally ill old man walking down the road by the bank. I saw $80 cash fall out of his pockets. I went and picked up the money and kept it. I then walked home feeling like it was a lucky day. I woke up the next day feeling terrible, so I transferred funds from my savings, and went out kinda hoping to find him. I did find him and handed him $40. I was unable to give him $80 because I had to buy other stuff. But I still feel very guilty and ashamed at my own selfishness, I might be broke myself but in my opinion from my experience if you find something that isn’t yours hand it back. It’s just not worth the guilt trip. Every time I see him I will give him some money, at least until the $80 I owe him is fully paid. I have learned a valuable lesson, n basically that is just do the right thing
Just found a 5$ bill blowing across the parking lot. Nobody around, I pocketed it. Heading back to the car another couple dollars blew by and I stopped to pick those up. Nuf said right? As I start to drive away I spotted a fold of money about 25 yards from where the first was found. ??? Now I go to pick that up and a man comes out of the nearby restaurant appearing to look for something. I step out and catch a few bills, he picks up the rest and motion him to others in the wind. I give him all but the $6 I initially found. I chose to assume the earlier find was not related. He was very grateful.
I just found 40 beside the bank machine. I turned it into the teller at the bank. I dont need it. However when I was young I found a wallet with a more and I kept the money but returned the wallet anonymously. I should have returned it all but I desperately needed money. Return it if you can, but I do agree with some comments it is usually people with lots of money that carelessly lose it.
The answer to what to do with found money if the owner is not immediately identifiable is to keep it, here is why.
I found $250, on the street, no one around. It was in cash in a withdrawl envelop for a specific bank but otherwise nothing to identify the owner.
I originally was going to keep it but felt bad for the owner and figured by calling the bank they could figure out who withdrew the money.
I called the bank and they told me they maybe could identify the owner or wanted to try, but after several of the bank employees discussed it internally with a manager they decided offical policy required that it be turned over to the policy and that the bank shouldn’t handle the money. Also even if it had been in their bank envelop the money could have already been given to a third party and then lost.
Reluctanly, I brought it the the police, he seemed surprised, took down my info and info about where I found it. But the process felt informal. I asked what happens when the money is unclaimed. He said in a year, it becomes mine. I later checked the limit for time that police can hold unclaimed property in my state. It’s one month.
It could be an honest mistake, and ultamitely the laws on found money in the state are not clear. But this leaves me with the option of attempting to clarify this….with the police. Maybe that’s not something I want to do.
Honestly I expected the bank to take more ownership of the process, especially since they are most likely to be able to identify the original owner.
Well that’s my story.
I would definitely go back to the police and remind them that the law says unclaimed property must be turned over to the finder in one month. The law is on your side; there is no need to fear any repurcussions for pointing that out.
I found between $200-$300 at my job a couple of days ago. (Not sure of the exact amount because I didn’t count it just know they were all $20 bills). I am a cashier at a Dollar Tree in Baltimore, Md making minimum wage. But I knew it wasn’t there & right after a lady customer left there it was so I knew whom it belonged to. I excused myself from ringing up the next guy in line & darted out of the store looking for the woman & there she was the passenger in a pick-up truck right out front of the store ready to pull away so I ran & knocked on the window & gave it back to her and she looked in an empty white bank envelope in her purse and knew she’d dropped it. Some of the people still in the store called me stupid and said I should have kept it that if that happened to me noone would have given it back to me. But my natural instincts took over & I feel I did the right thing. I try to treat people how I’d want to be treated & I very much believe in karma. Sure I need the money but it wasn’t mine to take & It’s not like I didn’t know who’s it was. What do you think?
You did the right thing, Bonnie!
I was at the grocery store and a fifty dollar bill tumbled out of a guy’s coat. I followed him all over the store trying to get his attention. I finally caught up with him and then gave it to him. Sadly, he did not even say thanks. That made me feel really hurt inside. Today I found $20 on the ground outside and nobody was around. I really wanted to return it but there was nobody around. So, my teenage daughter kept it. She was very happy about it.
The cops tell me my husband found $170,000. He says it wasnt that much, but that after he realized what it was he was terrified that it was drug money and that the cartel would be looking for him. If it would have been me, i would have turned it in.
On the day previous to my first day of teaching, the custodian brought up a large file cabinet for me to keep papers, books, etc. in. The cabinet was filthy with dust and cobwebs. When I opened it, I found $265.00 in an envelope with the words: Trip, May, 1999…twenty years ago. I thought about what to do with it… Give it to the superintendent of schools? Give it to the principal? Keep it? I didn’t feel right doing any of these things, so I spent it all on fixing up my classroom and buying supplies that my students would need…but probably couldn’t afford. Money well spent!
Great story, Mim! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Ran into atm at bank to get money, on the way to appointment. Was running a little late, trying to get reduced cost for much needed medication. Found $100 bill on floor near atm, No one else around except security guard a few feet away who didnt notice it. Completed my transaction and asked him if anyone came looking for it. He said no. Asked if there was a camera nearby to check to see who dropped it. Said he didnt know, was just contracted to work there also didnt know policy for return of the money. Line inside back was long so I left for appointment told him I would come back. After finishing errand back was closed, it was Friday with short hours due to pandemic. Saturday called bank several times before getting though. Told them the time I was there could they check cameras to see who dropped it. She said they probably would not be able to identify person money would go in general fund waiting to be claimed. Snowstorm expected tonight so I will be in for a while. Recently had to retire due to disability. Now unsure of what I should do. I could use it, but due to current times Im sure whoever lost it really need it. Also bank said no one came looking for it yet
Here’s my issue, I found $10 in my yard wrapped in a receipt. It was an overpayment receipt filled in with the name and address of the person receiving the refund. The name wasn’t readable since it was wet from the rain but I could make out the address. I’ve gone there multiple times, left messages, and talked with the neighbors explaining what im doing there trying to return money i found. They have my address as well, they live across the parking lot from me. Still no response. How long do I wait before I just throw my hands up and give up? I mean how long do I have to chase these people down to return $10, I’ve almost earned it with all the time I’ve put into this. Ugh!!!
In my opinion, 30 days is more than enough. If they aren’t claiming it by then, the odds are they never will. Enjoy your windfall!
I found a 100$ bill in a mini mart in bali last week. I picked it up and looked around but the store was empty. I gave it to the cashier in hope that the owner will hopefully track it down and get it back. But i also felt a bit silly because ive rarely been so lucky and i just gave it away, not knowing if the owner will even get it back. The only consolation i have is that a shop keeper in bali might probably find the 100$ far more valuable that i would have.
If I see someone drop money I’ll alert them and return it, if I find cash, be it $1 or a million with no ID, that’s mine. No if’s, no and’s no buts, tell NO ONE. That’s a gift. Would not bother me one bit for 1 second.
I work at a department store in the childrens clothing section.
Coming back from a bathroom break I spotted a small pile of fallen bills, equalled to $150.
My first instinct was to turn it in to HR, which is what I did.
The department I work in occupies mothers buying their kids clothing. What if it was someones only way of paying for their kids warm winter clothes?
Even if I didnt work there, I would not have came across it because Im a college student without kids. I found in this situation keeping the money would be a bad move.
I found a gentleman’s wallet in Coronado, California, while walking along the beachwalk with my family. No money but credit cards and ID. I tracked the name and found his contact information on LinkedIn. I informed him that his wallet and my contact information were left with security at the Hotel Del Coronado. When he retrieved his wallet, he texted me a Starbucks card for $25. Nice!
I found $100 bill laying on the ground once. There was nobody around, and it was outside. I was broke. I used it to take my son to the arcade for his birthday, or he would of got nothing. If I see loose bills outside, I’m keeping it. Not if it is in a wallet, or it is $1000, I would turn it in.
I found $20 on the ground a couple of times. Another time I found $5 on the floor, but I was inside the laundry mat, so I gave it to the laundry lady.
I was walkin the other day. A man, supposedly homeless, threw $3000 in air … i was walkin’ by. I saw a lady looking out of a car. I then see money on ground. Remember i’m broke sort of. I picked up $1436. I went to hand a guy 100. He says no i was the one that threw it. I’m homeless, i don’t want money. I’ll do drugs. Well i left. This other man on bike with cans has 10 dollars worth, maybe. He got $1000 plus 2. Wow. Great stuffffff …
Wow. What a sad story. It’s hard to believe that the great Kiki Dee has fallen on hard times. So sorry!
I figured the royalties from your duet with Elton John back in the mid 1970s would have kept you flush for life.
I just found a 5$ Bill on the bus seat next to me. Its not a big amount though, but its not mine as well. So i thought giving the bill to the bus driver and as u know due to Covid-19. She refused to take the Bill and said keep it😅… Wait I didnt kept that and asked her to pay for the passenger who sometime short of money and unable to pay for the Ticket.
How timely. Yesterday I found a $100 on a downtown sidewalk. I saw a traffic officer marking car tires and told him. To my surprise the cop said “What idiot loses a hundred dollar bill” Looks like its your lucky day Buddy!”
I found $200 at my place of employment (hardware store) and thought about keeping it, but i believe in karma too much and turned it into my boss. Should i have kept it?
I think you did the right thing … but what did your boss do with the money? The right thing for him to do would be hold it for 30 days and wait for somebody to claim it; then if nobody does after 30 days, give the money back to you.
If he simply put it in his own pocket, then he is one shady fella.
It depends on the laws from state to state. California requires that you must make reasonable effort to find the owner. If it is $950 or over, and you do not make reasonable efforts to find the owner, it is a state felony. If it’s less than $950, it is a misdemeanor.
If I find coins on the parking lot, I may or may not pick them up. It just depends on how I’m feeling inside. Sometimes, I think someone else might need it. Yes, a quarter can make a difference in the life of someone who’s stretching every penny. I’ve been there.
Sometimes, I’ll find a penny tails up. I’ll either pick it up or I’ll turn it heads up and leave it. hahaha
If you find a bunch of money, head straight to the police station and turn it in. Get a receipt. If’s not claimed in a certain amount of time, you’re supposed to get it back.
It could be drug money, mob money or money from a robbery. The life you save may be your own. 😉
I’ll take my chances, Bill. 😉
I hope it works out well for you. I had to have contact with the head of the local mob 5 days a week for years.
Alligators gotta eat.
Mr. Jones, (sadly now deceased due to advanced age), owner of the local hardware store found a pouch with $1,350 in it in front of his store. He called the police and told them that if anyone was looking for lost cash to have them call him and identify container and amount. Sure enough another merchant in town had dropped his bank deposit and was thrilled and amazed to get his money back.
I was walking at a big rural flea market recently with no one within a hundred feet and no one looking down. I found a $20. and I kept it.
I just remembered something. Be careful when touching paper morning found on the ground. Drug dealers are putting powdered drugs in the money to try and hide the transactions. If you see money with any kind of residue, it could be meth or coke. Sadly, it’s becoming quite common. Really runs my retirement supplement. 😉
Found a twenty dollar bill twice. Once in the early morning on a sidewalk in Manhattan. (There was no one around.) I gave it to a broke friend. The second time one skittered across a large rest stop parking lot. I looked around to see if there were any people out, didn’t see anyone, and couldn’t figure what direction it had come from. We took the kids out for ice cream.