Where to report and claim lost property

Handles: Items left at U.S. security checkpoints

First step: Choose the airport and contact its TSA lost-and-found office.

Timing: Report promptly; each airport controls retention.

Handles: Passenger rights for delayed, damaged or lost checked baggage

First step: File a baggage report with the airline before leaving the airport.

Timing: Airline notice and claim deadlines apply.

Handles: Items on American aircraft, in Admirals Clubs or airline-controlled areas

First step: Use American's official lost-item workflow; use the baggage desk for checked bags.

Timing: Submit as soon as possible.

Handles: Delayed, missing or damaged checked baggage

First step: Report the bag and retain the file-reference number.

Timing: Written-claim deadlines vary by issue and itinerary.

Handles: Items left on United aircraft or in United-controlled areas

First step: Submit the official lost-item report with flight and seat details.

Timing: Report immediately after noticing the loss.

Handles: Delayed, lost or damaged checked baggage

First step: Contact the Southwest baggage service office and preserve the report number.

Timing: Airline reporting deadlines apply.

Handles: Items lost in LAX public terminal areas

First step: Check whether TSA, an airline or LAX controlled the location, then use the matching report.

Timing: Retention depends on the item and custodian.

Handles: Items lost in San Francisco International Airport facilities

First step: Use SFO's official instructions; contact the airline for aircraft items.

Timing: Report promptly.

Handles: JFK, LaGuardia, Newark and other Port Authority facilities

First step: Select the facility and location-specific custodian.

Timing: Each operator has its own retention period.

Handles: Items left on Amtrak trains and in Amtrak stations

First step: File Amtrak's official lost-item report.

Timing: Report immediately; storage is limited.

Handles: NYC subway, bus, Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North items

First step: Choose the correct MTA service and submit its form.

Timing: Processing and retention vary by service.

Handles: Metrorail and Metrobus items

First step: Submit route, time and item details through WMATA.

Timing: Contact WMATA promptly.

Handles: Items lost on BART trains or property

First step: Submit BART's report and keep its reference information.

Timing: BART's published retention rules apply.

Handles: Items lost on SEPTA vehicles and property

First step: Use SEPTA's customer-service lost-and-found channel.

Timing: Report promptly with route and time.

Handles: Items left in Lyft vehicles

First step: Open the ride in Lyft and contact the driver through the official workflow.

Timing: Contact the driver as soon as possible.

Handles: Items left in licensed New York City yellow or green taxis

First step: Use the receipt or payment lookup to identify the vehicle, then follow TLC instructions.

Timing: Act quickly while trip records and driver contact are available.

Handles: Missing U.S. mail and packages

First step: Check tracking, submit a help request, then use Missing Mail Search when eligible.

Timing: USPS eligibility windows depend on mail class and mailing date.

Handles: Lost or damaged UPS shipments

First step: Check tracking and determine whether sender or recipient should file.

Timing: Service-specific claim deadlines apply.

Handles: Missing, lost or damaged FedEx shipments

First step: Use the tracking number and official claims workflow.

Timing: Deadlines vary by shipment type.

Handles: Privacy-filtered items published by participating university police departments

First step: Search by item, color, location or campus, then contact the institution.

Timing: Each campus publishes its own claim-by date.

Handles: Items lost within National Park Service sites

First step: Find the specific park and contact that park directly.

Timing: Park procedures and retention vary.

Handles: Local police, transit, municipal buildings and government property rooms

First step: Locate the responsible city, county or state agency—do not send sensitive details to unrelated offices.

Timing: Local retention and disposal laws vary substantially.

Handles: Items left in Hertz rental vehicles

First step: Select the rental location and submit the official report.

Timing: Contact the return location immediately.

Handles: Items left in Enterprise rental vehicles

First step: Contact the specific rental branch that handled the vehicle.

Timing: Branch retention is limited.