About ReportLost.org
Behind every lost item, there’s a story.
Behind every return, there’s relief.
ReportLost was created to make lost and found information easier to record, easier to find, and easier to act on — for individuals, venues, and local services alike.
Why ReportLost Exists
ReportLost was born from a real-world experience that highlighted how fragmented and discouraging the lost-and-found process can be.
Between phone calls, emails, online forms, and closed social media groups, important information is often scattered — or never shared at all. Many people give up before they even try, not because they don’t care, but because the process feels unclear and time-consuming.
ReportLost was created to offer a more accessible and structured alternative: a place where lost and found information can be documented clearly and made searchable on the open web.
A Platform Designed to Be Useful — and Human
ReportLost combines technology with human oversight.
The platform uses custom tools to analyze descriptions, images, locations, dates, and contextual keywords in order to surface potential matches between lost and found items. This may include publicly available sources, transport services, community listings, and web content.
At the same time, reports are reviewed with human oversight. When a case requires follow-up, a member of the team takes manual action to verify information, contact relevant services, and assist with outreach.
We believe technology can accelerate discovery — but human judgment, persistence, and care remain essential.
A Flexible and Fair Assistance Model
Submitting a report on ReportLost is always possible.
The platform operates on a flexible contribution model, allowing users to choose the level of assistance that fits their situation. Some people simply want their item documented and searchable. Others prefer additional help with outreach, follow-up, and visibility.
Access to help should not depend solely on financial constraints. At the same time, contributions allow the service to remain sustainable and to dedicate time to manual follow-up when it matters most.
Privacy, Transparency, and Trust
- Sensitive personal information is never published publicly
- Contact details are protected
- Reports are handled with care and human oversight
ReportLost does not guarantee the recovery of an item. What it provides is structure, visibility, and assistance — to improve the chances of a meaningful match.
Looking Ahead
ReportLost is built to work alongside existing systems, not replace them.
The long-term goal is to collaborate with transportation services, public venues, schools, hotels, and local authorities to make lost-and-found processes more efficient and less fragmented.
The platform is continuously evolving, guided by real use cases and a commitment to clarity, reliability, and respect for users.
A Small Team, A Clear Mission
ReportLost is operated by a small, dedicated team focused on improving how lost and found information is shared online — with care, responsibility, and attention to detail.
💌 Questions, feedback, or press inquiries?
You can reach us at support@reportlost.org