Lost something in Charleston? Report it and we'll search for you.
Submit one report and we'll notify the Charleston Police Department, relevant lost and found offices across the city, and monitor local social channels and marketplaces continuously 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 Charleston
- NecklaceOctober 5
- WalletSeptember 2
- Engagement ring soldered to wedding bandAugust 21
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 report your loss
Tell us what you lost, where, and when. We gather the details needed to alert the right departments and channels across Charleston.
We route it to the right places
Your report goes directly to the Charleston Police Department, airport lost and found if relevant, CARTA transit services, local shelters if it's a pet, and active community groups on Facebook and Nextdoor.
We monitor for matches automatically
Our system scans Facebook groups, Nextdoor, Craigslist, local marketplaces, and other public channels repeatedly over 12 months, looking for posts that match your item's description, location, and timeframe. You get an alert the moment a credible match appears, so you can reclaim it before someone else does.
Where Lost Items Go in Charleston
Here's what happens when you lose something, and how ReportLost connects you to each channel.
Charleston Police Department
If you lose an item in a public place or report a theft, the Charleston Police Department keeps a record. You can call the Records Office at (843) 720-2412 or visit in person at 180 Lockwood Boulevard. ReportLost identifies your police jurisdiction and generates the details needed to file an effective report.
Charleston International Airport (CHS)
Items left in terminals, on planes, or in secure areas are logged by the airport's Lost and Found office. Call (843) 767-7000 or visit in person at 5500 International Blvd, #101, North Charleston, SC 29418. For items lost at TSA security checkpoints, contact the TSA directly. ReportLost ensures the airport is notified if your loss occurred there.
CARTA Bus & Transit
Lost items on CARTA buses are held at the CARTA Operations Center in North Charleston. Call (843) 724-7420 with your route number, time of travel, and item description. CARTA keeps items for a limited time, so timing matters. ReportLost alerts CARTA's lost and found team with your details right away.
College of Charleston Campus
If you lost something on the College of Charleston campus, contact the campus Public Safety office at (843) 953-4980 or visit 89 St. Philip St. They maintain a lost and found for items turned in by students and staff. ReportLost ensures the campus is included in your report if the loss occurred on campus grounds.
Lost Pets
If you've lost a dog, cat, or other pet, time is critical. Contact the Charleston Animal Society, Pet Helpers, or local shelters immediately. The Charleston Animal Society recommends using Petco Love Lost, PawBoost, and posting in local Facebook groups like 'Lost and Found Pets Charleston SC' and 'Lost and Found Pets, West of the Ashley Area.' ReportLost connects pet owners with all local shelters and alerts the community networks. File a priority lost pet report.
Charleston City Hall & General Services
Items lost in city buildings or public spaces can be reported to the City of Charleston's Citizens Service Desk at (843) 724-7311 or emailed to citizenservices@charleston-sc.gov. They can direct you to the right department or agency. ReportLost contacts city services on your behalf to ensure your loss is registered.
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
Why report early?
The sooner you report, the sooner we start monitoring. Most lost items are claimed or discarded within days, but many turn up later on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or local community groups. Our system watches continuously so you don't have to check every day.
Report my lost item →Losing something in Charleston is stressful, and recovering it usually means calling the police, checking the airport, calling CARTA, messaging Facebook groups, and refreshing Nextdoor every day. That's a lot of scattered phone calls and repeated searching. ReportLost simplifies the process: file one report, and we take it from there, coordinating with all the local services and watching the entire web on your behalf.
The hardest part of finding a lost item isn't knowing where to report it, it's staying on top of the search. Once your report is filed, our automated monitoring scans Charleston's lost and found posts, community groups, and online marketplaces continuously. If your item turns up anywhere on the public internet, you'll be notified immediately, so you can recover it with confidence.
Common Places Locals Lose Things
High-traffic areas where items are frequently reported lost in Charleston.
Downtown Charleston & The Historic District
King Street, the waterfront, and historic squares are busy year-round. Wallets, phones, and bags are often left in shops, restaurants, and along pedestrian routes.
Charleston International Airport (CHS)
Items are frequently left in terminals, security areas, and on planes. Report to the airport lost and found immediately if you discover a loss after travel.
CARTA Bus Routes
Phones, keys, and personal items are common finds on city buses. Call CARTA's lost and found within 24 hours for the best chance of recovery.
College of Charleston Campus
Students lose items in libraries, dorms, dining halls, and on campus grounds. Contact campus Public Safety quickly if your loss occurred on campus.
Parks & Waterfront Areas
Battery Park, Folly Beach, and waterfront trails are popular but it's easy to lose things while enjoying outdoor activities. Local community groups help reunite people with items found in these areas.
Charleston Community Networks
Active online communities where locals post lost and found items.
Facebook group dedicated to posting and locating lost or found items city-wide
Facebook group focused on reuniting lost pets in the area west of the Ashley River
Facebook community for posting lost and found pet alerts and sharing reunification tips
Reddit community where locals sometimes post about lost items and share local advice
Neighborhood-specific lost and found posts, great for items lost near your home
Questions About Lost Items in Charleston
How long does the Charleston Police Department hold lost items?
There is no fixed public timeline posted. Call the Records Office at (843) 720-2412 to ask about retention periods for items in police custody. Acting quickly improves your chances of recovery.
How do I retrieve an item from CARTA's lost and found?
Call (843) 724-7420 with details: your route number, time of travel, and a description of the item. CARTA holds items at the Operations Center in North Charleston. Items are typically held for a limited period, so don't delay.
What if I lost something at Charleston International Airport?
Call the airport's Lost and Found office at (843) 767-7000. Items can also be claimed in person at 5500 International Blvd, #101, North Charleston. If your item was lost at a TSA checkpoint, contact the TSA separately. Airlines handle checked baggage claims.
I lost my pet in Charleston. What should I do first?
Contact local shelters immediately: Charleston Animal Society (843-329-1562), Pet Helpers (843-795-1110), and any rescue organizations. Post on PawBoost, Petco Love Lost, and local Facebook groups. The faster you alert the community, the better. ReportLost's pet module connects all these channels automatically.
Where do people post found items in Charleston?
Facebook is the primary channel, especially the 'Charleston, SC Lost and Found' group and neighborhood-specific groups. Nextdoor is popular for residential areas. Craigslist, PawBoost (for pets), and community pages also see activity. ReportLost monitors all these channels and alerts you if a match appears.
Is ReportLost an official service?
ReportLost is an independent service created to simplify lost item recovery. We are not part of the police department, airport, or transit authority, but we work in coordination with them by routing your report to the right places. We do not replace official channels, we supplement them by automating the monitoring and notification process that would otherwise fall on you.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Here are the offices that take your report.
Once you report with ReportLost, the coordination and monitoring begins immediately. You can focus on other things while we search the web, alert local services, and notify community networks. If your item surfaces, we'll let you know right away.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with the Charleston Police Department, Charleston International Airport, CARTA, College of Charleston, Charleston Animal Society, Pet Helpers, or any other agency or business mentioned. We provide a coordination and monitoring service to complement official lost and found channels. For emergencies, always contact local authorities directly at 911.