Lost something in Wilmington? Here are the offices that take your report.
One report and we connect you with Wilmington Police, New Hanover County Animal Services, Wave Transit, and the right local lost & found channels. Plus, we scan the web continuously for matches so you don't have to.
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
Reported in Wilmington
- ID cardSeptember 30
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 submit your report
Tell us what you lost, where you left it, and when. We capture every detail that matters, no back-and-forth.
We route to the right places
Your report goes straight to Wilmington Police's Property & Evidence Unit, the relevant transit or airport team, and other local agencies. You don't have to call three places yourself.
We monitor the web for you
Our system searches social media, marketplaces, and local channels every day for 12 months, looking for posts that match your loss. If we find a likely match, you get an alert immediately.
Where to Report a Lost Item in Wilmington
Each of these offices handles lost property, but ReportLost files with them on your behalf and monitors for matches while you get on with your day.
Wilmington Police Department
Wilmington Police's Property & Evidence Unit holds lost items found on public streets and reported to officers. We file your report with them and check their records as part of our monitoring. You can also reach out directly to check status or provide a description.
Property & Evidence Unit: 910-343-3642|WPD Headquarters: 910-343-3600
Wilmington International Airport (ILM)
If you lost an item at the terminal or on a flight, the airport's Lost & Found operates at the gate level and central dispatch. We notify them of your loss and include their number in our monitoring checklist.
Airport Lost & Found: 910-341-4336|Airport Main: 910-341-4125
Wave Transit (Wilmington Bus Service)
Lost something on a bus or at a Wave Transit stop? Wave Transit's customer service can check their lost & found and help trace your item. We alert them and monitor for your report during our ongoing web searches.
City of Wilmington (General Services)
Items lost at city facilities or public spaces can be reported through Wilmington's city offices. We generate the right contact information and details for you to include.
Lost Pets
If you've lost a dog, cat, or other pet in the Wilmington area, New Hanover County Animal Services and local shelters are your first call. We help you file a priority alert and notify the right networks. file a priority lost pet report
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
The sooner you report, the better.
The first hours and days matter when something goes missing. Once you file with ReportLost, your item is in the system, the right agencies are notified, and we begin our automated search across local channels and the web. You've done your part, and now we handle the follow-up.
Report my lost item →Losing something valuable in Wilmington is frustrating, and the process to get it back usually means calling the police, checking the airport's lost & found, contacting Wave Transit, and scrolling through local Facebook groups on repeat. ReportLost brings all of that together in one place, and then keeps watching for you.
Once you report, the legwork shifts to us. We file your details with the right agencies, broadcast to active local channels, and run automated scans of the web for months so you can move forward instead of spending your evenings hunting through posts and listings.
Common Places to Lose Things in Wilmington
Lost items turn up at Wilmington Police, the airport, and across the city's public spaces. Our monitoring covers all of them.
Downtown Wilmington & River District
Historic downtown streets, shops, and waterfront parks are common spots where wallets, keys, and bags get left behind or turn up at nearby businesses.
UNCW Campus & Surrounding Areas
The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a hub of foot traffic. Lost items on campus or near the campus go to UNCW Police; items in the surrounding neighborhoods often end up at local police or shelters.
Wrightsville Beach
The beach and boardwalk area see lost phones, jewelry, and personal items. Wrightsville Beach has its own police dispatch for valuable property found on their streets.
Wilmington International Airport (ILM)
Travelers leaving items at the terminal, gates, or baggage claim should report immediately to the airport's Lost & Found dispatch.
Wave Transit Bus Routes
Phones, bags, and wallets often end up on city buses or at transit stops. Wave Transit keeps a central lost & found and can check their inventory.
Local Social Channels & Community Groups
Wilmington has active local Facebook groups where lost and found items are posted daily. ReportLost monitors these channels automatically on your behalf.
Active group for lost and found belongings and pets across Wilmington and surrounding counties
Dedicated pet-focused group with nearly 10,000 members and hundreds of daily posts
Reddit community where locals post lost items and connect with neighbors
Official police page for community updates and alerts
Focused page for missing and found pets in the area
Neighborhood app where residents post lost items and found goods in their area
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do police and agencies keep lost property?
Wilmington Police's Property & Evidence Unit typically holds items for a set period before disposal or donation. If you know you lost something recently, contact them directly at 910-343-3642. ReportLost monitors their records as part of our ongoing search, but the sooner you report, the better.
What if I lost something at the airport?
Call ILM's Lost & Found dispatch immediately at 910-341-4336. Airports move items quickly, so time is critical. ReportLost ensures your report is logged with them and alerts you if a match appears online.
Do I have to visit in person to claim my lost item?
Most agencies ask you to call first and describe the item, then visit to claim it in person with an ID. ReportLost can help you gather the details you'll need when you call.
How does ReportLost monitor social media and the web?
We run automated searches across Facebook groups, Nextdoor, Reddit, local marketplaces, and classifieds daily for months, looking for posts that match your item's description, location, and date. If we find a credible match, you get an alert so you can follow up.
Can ReportLost help if I lost my phone or laptop?
Yes. We file your report with police and monitor local channels. For electronics, also check with the manufacturer's tracking service (iPhone's Find My, Samsung Find Mobile, etc.) and your carrier, as those are often faster. ReportLost covers the offline and social channels.
Is ReportLost.org an official city service?
No, ReportLost is an independent service. We're not part of Wilmington Police or any city agency, but we work with them on your behalf by filing reports, notifying relevant offices, and monitoring public channels. Our role is to handle the legwork and keep searching while you move forward.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Ready to report?
Filing with ReportLost takes just a few minutes. Describe what you lost, where it was, and when, and we'll handle the routing, notifications, and monitoring from there.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with the Wilmington Police Department, City of Wilmington, Wave Transit, Wilmington International Airport, New Hanover County Animal Services, UNCW, or any other local government or private agency. We file reports on your behalf with these entities and monitor public channels; we do not replace official lost & found procedures or police reports. Always contact emergency services (911) in case of urgent safety concerns.