How ReportLost Works

ReportLost is designed to make lost and found information easier to record, easier to search, and easier to share — in a way that complements existing solutions rather than replacing them.

Our goal is simple: help lost items and their owners find their way back to each other.

Reporting an item is free

Anyone can submit a report on ReportLost at no cost.

Free reports allow:

• Lost items to be referenced online
• Found items to be documented and described
• Information to be indexed by search engines

Unlike posts shared in closed Facebook groups or private forums, reports published on ReportLost are searchable on the open web, making them easier to discover by people who are actively looking for a specific item.

This approach is complementary to social networks and local groups, not a replacement for them.

Reporting a found item

If you found an item, you can report it in two ways:

1. Automatic identification (optional)

You may upload a photo of the item. When available, Google Vision technology can help identify the object and suggest relevant characteristics.

2. Manual description

You can also describe the item yourself by providing details such as:

• Item type
• Color and material
• Brand or visible markings
• Location where it was found

Both methods are valid and can be combined.

Reporting a lost item and search assistance options

When reporting a lost item, several levels of search assistance are available.

All assistance plans include manual review and action by a member of our team.

At a minimum, this includes:

• Declaring the loss to the city’s lost and found service (often managed by the municipal police or a public office)
• Contacting the place where the item was likely lost:

• parks
• public transportation services
• theaters or venues
• nearby shops (if the loss occurred in the street)

These contacts are made via online contact forms, email, and when available, phone numbers are provided so the owner may also follow up directly if they wish.

Continuous web search and alerts

Our search engine regularly scans the web for relevant keywords associated with the lost item.

When a potential match is detected:

• an alert is sent to our team
• the information is reviewed manually
• the owner is notified if the match appears relevant

This process runs continuously during the active search period.

Social media diffusion

As part of the search assistance:

• a visual “lost item notice” is created
• the notice is shared on social media channels to increase visibility

This step helps reach people who may not be actively searching but could recognize the item.

Stickers and QR code (available with selected plans)

With the $25 assistance plan, a printable PDF sheet of stickers is included.

These stickers can be placed on personal belongings to help prevent future losses.

Each sticker includes a QR code that allows the person who finds the item to contact the owner without making the owner’s email address public.

Privacy and transparency

• Sensitive personal information is never published publicly
• Reports are reviewed with human oversight
• ReportLost does not guarantee recovery of an item, but provides structured tools and assistance to improve the chances of a match

A complementary approach

ReportLost works alongside local lost and found services, public institutions, social media groups, and individual initiatives.

By centralizing information and making it searchable, we aim to reduce fragmentation and improve visibility — without replacing existing systems.