Lost something in Columbia? Report it and get help recovering it.
File one report with ReportLost, and we'll notify the Columbia Police Department, City Hall, The COMET transit system, Columbia Metropolitan Airport, and relevant local community channels. Then we monitor the web continuously, scanning marketplace listings, social media posts, and local lost-and-found groups for matches—so you don't have to check back 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
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 in Columbia
You Report Your Loss
Describe what you lost, where, and when. We gather the details the Columbia Police, Animal Services, transit authority, and airport need to help you.
We Route It to the Right Places
Your report goes directly to the appropriate local channels: the Columbia Police Department's Lost Property division, City of Columbia services, The COMET's lost-and-found office, or Columbia Metropolitan Airport—whoever is most likely to have your item.
Automated Monitoring Finds Matches
For 12 months, we scan the entire web—marketplaces, social media posts, Facebook groups like 'Lost & Found Pets of Columbia, SC Area,' Nextdoor, Reddit threads in r/ColumbiYEAH, and local community channels—looking for posts matching your description. We alert you instantly if a credible match appears, so you stay in the loop without the daily legwork.
Where to Report Lost Items in Columbia
Each of these services holds items or helps reunite people with their belongings. ReportLost notifies the appropriate ones on your behalf—and keeps searching while you focus on other things.
Columbia Police Department - Lost Property
The Columbia Police Department maintains a lost-property database and processes reports for items lost anywhere in the city. Call the non-emergency line at (803) 252-2911 to file a report or inquire about an item you've found. Their Lost Property page walks through the details they need: description, location, and date. ReportLost generates the exact information they require and files your report so you don't have to make the call yourself.
Columbia Police Lost Property|Police Non-Emergency (803) 252-2911
City of Columbia - City Hall Services
City Hall (1737 Main Street) oversees lost-and-found coordination across city facilities and can direct you to the right department if your item was lost in a municipal building or public space. The main city line is (803) 545-3000. ReportLost ensures your loss is logged with the appropriate city division and follows up on your behalf.
The COMET Bus System
If you left something on a COMET bus in Columbia, call (803) 253-7100 or (803) 255-7100 during business hours to check their lost-and-found database. Items are typically held at the transit center on Lucius Road. The COMET operates three main routes throughout the city, and lost items show up regularly on their buses and at stations. ReportLost alerts The COMET directly with your item details so staff can flag it when they're sorting through found goods.
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)
Items left at Columbia Metropolitan Airport are held by the airport's Lost & Found office, open Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Call (803) 822-5000 or email information@flycae.com with details about your lost item. Claim forms are available on their website. ReportLost files your claim details with the airport so their team knows exactly what to look for among incoming items.
Lost Pets in Columbia
If you've lost a pet, the City of Columbia Animal Services (127 Humane Lane, (803) 776-7387) is your first contact. They hold lost animals from Richland County and work with local shelters. Hours are weekdays noon to 5:00 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Post on Facebook groups like 'Lost & Found Pets of Columbia, SC Area' and check PawBoost and 24PetConnect databases. ReportLost publishes your pet's information across these channels and monitors them continuously for sightings or rescues. File a priority lost pet report to activate our full pet-recovery support.
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
Ready to Search Smarter?
The sooner you file a report, the better. Every hour counts when something is lost, and our automated system begins monitoring immediately—checking the web, local marketplaces, social channels, and community groups around the clock so you can focus on your day.
Report my lost item →Losing something in Columbia can feel overwhelming. The city spans multiple neighborhoods and districts, and when an item goes missing—whether it's left on a COMET bus, dropped at the airport, mislaid in a store downtown, or lost in a public space—recovery often requires contacting several offices separately: the police non-emergency line, the transit authority, the airport's lost-and-found desk, and local community groups. Each has different hours, contact methods, and record-keeping systems, which means you're left piecing together information and following up repeatedly.
ReportLost simplifies that process. Submit one report, and we connect you with every relevant service in Columbia—from the Columbia Police Department to local Facebook groups and Reddit communities where residents post found items. More importantly, we don't stop after the initial report. Our automated system watches the web for months, monitoring marketplace listings, social posts, and community channels for any mention of an item matching yours. You get a notification the moment a credible match surfaces, turning a stressful search into a managed, supported experience.
Common Places Items Go Missing in Columbia
Whether it's a major neighborhood or a busy transit hub, knowing where you lost something helps us target our search.
Downtown Columbia & Main Street
The heart of the city—shops, restaurants, offices, and public spaces. Items lost in this district are frequently turned in to nearby businesses or the police department.
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)
A common loss point for travelers. The airport's Lost & Found holds items systematically, and ReportLost coordinates with them to track inbound claims.
The COMET Bus Routes
Transit riders misplace items on buses and at transfer points throughout the city. The COMET's central lost-and-found office processes these regularly.
Congaree River Area & Parks
Popular parks and waterfront areas where outdoor enthusiasts gather. Items left at picnic tables or trailheads often end up with park staff or local volunteers.
Five Points & Neighborhood Districts
Trendy shopping and dining neighborhoods where items left in cafés, retail stores, or on sidewalks are sometimes recovered by local business owners.
Community Channels & Local Networks
Columbians use Facebook groups, Reddit, and neighborhood apps to post found items. ReportLost scans these channels automatically for you.
Facebook group where locals post found and lost animals
Larger regional Facebook group covering the entire state
Columbia-focused subreddit where residents share neighborhood news and lost items
Statewide subreddit with lost-and-found posts from the Columbia region
Neighborhood app where Columbia residents post lost and found items in their area
Official page sometimes shares lost-and-found alerts and community tips
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Columbia Police Department hold lost items?
The Columbia Police Department's Lost Property division maintains a database of items turned in to the police. There is no standard public retention period listed on their website; contact the non-emergency line at (803) 252-2911 to ask about a specific item and how long it will be held.
What if I lost something on The COMET bus?
Call The COMET's lost-and-found line at (803) 253-7100 or (803) 255-7100 during business hours. Items are held at the transit center on Lucius Road. Describe your item, and staff will search their lost-and-found logs. ReportLost notifies them on your behalf so they're aware of your claim.
How long will the airport hold my lost item?
Columbia Metropolitan Airport's Lost & Found office holds items for a limited time. Contact them at (803) 822-5000 or information@flycae.com as soon as possible. Items held beyond their retention period may be donated or discarded, so acting quickly is important. ReportLost files your claim immediately upon report.
Can ReportLost help if I lost a pet?
Absolutely. If you've lost a pet, file a priority lost pet report with ReportLost. We notify the City of Columbia Animal Services, monitor local Facebook groups like 'Lost & Found Pets of Columbia, SC Area,' and scan PawBoost and other pet-recovery platforms continuously. This gives your pet the widest exposure and the best chance of a reunion.
How does ReportLost monitor social media and marketplaces?
After you file your report, our system continuously scans Facebook groups, Reddit threads, Nextdoor posts, local marketplace listings, and other public web channels for mentions matching your lost item's description, location, and date. When a credible match appears, we send you an alert immediately so you can follow up. You don't have to spend hours refreshing pages yourself.
Is ReportLost.org official, and does it replace the police?
ReportLost is an independent service, not a government agency. We're not a replacement for the police or city services—we work alongside them. When you file a report with us, we ensure the appropriate official channels (Columbia Police, city departments, transit authority, airport) are notified and engaged. ReportLost's added value is our automated monitoring and coordination so you don't have to chase down each office separately or monitor the web for months.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Start Your Report Today
The first few hours after you lose something are critical. Filing your report now sets our automated monitoring in motion, connecting you with Columbia's official services and launching a continuous web search. Once your report is filed, you can breathe easier knowing the system is working for you.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with the Columbia Police Department, City of Columbia, The COMET, Columbia Metropolitan Airport, Animal Services, or any other government or private entity mentioned. We coordinate with these organizations to improve your chances of recovery, but we do not represent them. Always verify current hours, contact information, and policies directly with each service.