Lost something in Foster City? Here is who holds found property.
File one report and we handle the routing to the Foster City Police Department, local lost and found offices, and active community channels. Plus, our system monitors the web continuously for matches, so you don't have to check every day.
What did you lose?
If there isn’t an adequate suggestion, select “Other – My item isn’t listed” and enter the item’s category. You can provide details later.
Publishing your report is free and your details stay private. The assisted search is a separate paid service, described in the Terms.
Recent activity
California : found property must be held by law enforcement for at least 90 days before it can pass to the finder, be auctioned or disposed of. (California Civil Code §2080.2)
Across the United States
- Wrislet clutch gray/silver bag with documents · Chicago, IL, October 8
- Ring TM on top · Greensboro, NC, October 8
- Keys · Sarasota, FL, October 8
- Keys · Brookline, MA, October 7
- Camera · Monterey, CA, October 7
Local contact details reviewed on October 7, 2026.
How ReportLost Works
You describe what you lost
Tell us the item, where it went missing, and when. We capture all the details that matter for recovery.
We route it to the right places
Your report goes to the Foster City Police Department, the relevant local lost and found offices, and community channels that cover your area.
Automated monitoring finds matches for you
We scan social media groups, marketplaces, and community boards continuously for 12 months, matching descriptions, dates, and locations. When a credible match appears, you're alerted right away. No need to refresh pages daily.
Where to Report a Lost Item in Foster City
Below are the official channels you can contact yourself. ReportLost connects you to all of them automatically.
Foster City Police Department
The Police Department maintains a lost and found for items turned in by residents and businesses. You can file a report in person or by phone. We identify which precinct covers your loss location and prepare the exact details to include in your filing.
Call Non-Emergency: 650-286-3300|Visit Police Department Website
Foster City City Hall
City Hall can direct you to the appropriate department or service for your specific type of loss, and may hold items turned in to municipal offices. We point you to the right desk and provide contact details to follow up on your timeline.
SamTrans Lost and Found
If you left something on a SamTrans bus serving Foster City and San Mateo County, contact SamTrans directly. Items are held for a set period before being disposed of, so calling quickly matters. We help you document your loss with SamTrans details.
SamTrans Lost & Found Form|Call Customer Service: 1-800-660-4287
San Francisco International Airport
If your loss occurred at SFO, the airport operates its own lost and found office in the terminal. Items held there have limited retention. We provide you with the exact phone number and hours to reach them.
Lost Pet
If you've lost a dog, cat, or other pet in Foster City, contact San Mateo County Animal Control immediately. They hold animals for a legally mandated period. Register your pet on community boards and check shelters regularly. If this applies to you, file a priority lost pet report for faster community outreach.
San Mateo County Animal Control: 650-340-7022|Lost & Found Pets Information
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
Taking action soon strengthens your chances.
The sooner you document your loss with ReportLost, the sooner our automated system starts scanning for matches across Bay Area channels. Once your report is filed, the heavy lifting is ours, not yours.
Report my lost item →Foster City residents know the frustration, life unfolds across multiple spaces, the police non-emergency line, online classifieds, neighborhood Facebook groups, and SamTrans bus channels all operate separately. When you lose something valuable, retrieving it means making several calls, filling out forms on different platforms, and manually scouring the web week after week.
ReportLost simplifies the entire process. Submit your information once, and we take care of contacting the right departments, posting alerts where locals actually look, and watching for your item across the entire internet. Our automated surveillance continues working in the background while you move forward with your day, checking for matches on marketplaces, social channels, and community boards in the Bay Area.
Common Loss Hotspots in Foster City
Items go missing in these locations most frequently. Our monitoring tracks all of them.
Downtown & Foster City Boulevard
The city's main commercial and gathering zone, where keys, wallets, and bags slip away during shopping, dining, and errands. High foot traffic means more eyes on lost items, but also more noise on social channels.
Parks & Lagoon Areas
Foster City's open spaces and waterfront parks are beautiful but easy places to leave glasses, phones, and personal items behind during walks or picnics. Many lost items get turned in to park facilities or posted on community groups.
Transit Hubs & SamTrans Stops
Bus stops and transit areas are common loss points. Belongings left on SamTrans buses or at stops often end up in transit lost and found systems or local Facebook groups.
Residential Neighborhoods
Items left in vehicles, on doorsteps, or during moves get discovered by neighbors and shared via Nextdoor or local Facebook groups. These platforms are vital for neighborhood-level recovery.
Community Channels That Help
Foster City and San Mateo County residents actively post and monitor these groups for lost items.
Community group for lost and found pets across the county, including Foster City.
Neighborhood-level posts about lost items in your specific area of Foster City.
Regional groups where Foster City residents post and search for lost belongings.
Bay Area subreddit where people post about lost and found items, especially those of value.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Foster City Police Department hold lost items?
The Police Department retains lost property for a set period before disposal. Contact them at 650-286-3300 to ask about their current retention timeline and claim your item quickly.
What's the fastest way to report a loss to SamTrans?
Call SamTrans Customer Service at 1-800-660-4287 immediately, or fill out their online lost and found form at samtrans.com. SamTrans holds items for a limited time, so speed matters. ReportLost includes this information in your report automatically.
Do I have to physically go somewhere to claim my lost item?
Usually yes. Once your item is located, you'll need to visit the Police Department, SamTrans facility, or wherever it's being held to collect it. Some places allow phone verification or have appointment systems. We'll provide you with contact details to confirm the process.
How does ReportLost monitor for my item if it appears online?
Our system continuously scans Facebook groups, Nextdoor, Craigslist, OfferUp, PawBoost, and other community platforms for keywords, locations, and dates matching your report. When a credible match surfaces, we send you an alert. You don't have to check these sites yourself every day.
What if my item shows up outside Foster City?
Our monitoring extends across the Bay Area and beyond. If someone posts about finding your item in San Mateo County, San Francisco, or further out, our system flags it. We'll let you know so you can coordinate recovery, even across city lines.
Is ReportLost.org an official government service?
No. ReportLost is an independent service that works alongside official police departments, city services, and transit agencies, not as a replacement. We help you file reports faster and monitor for matches continuously. The actual recovery and custody of lost items remains with government and community channels.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Ready to find your lost item?
The sooner your report is filed, the sooner our automated search begins across Foster City and the entire Bay Area. One submission, continuous monitoring, and alerts when matches appear.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with the Foster City Police Department, City of Foster City, SamTrans, San Francisco International Airport, San Mateo County Animal Control, or any other government or private entity mentioned on this page. We help you organize and distribute your lost item information to these official channels and monitor public community platforms for matches. All actual lost and found operations, item custody, and recovery procedures remain under the authority of the respective official agencies.