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It’s easy to panic if you’ve lost something (or worse, it’s stolen from you). The good news is it’s possible to recover stolen items. You just need to know how to start searching.
Learn what to do when you lose your valuables, how to recover them, and how to prevent loss in the first place.
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Follow these pointers to prevent your valuables from getting lost or stolen:
Package theft isn't just frustrating—it feels like a violation of privacy. Fortunately, there are ways to fight back.
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There are plenty of tactics you can use to prevent theft and recover stolen packages. Here are a few you can try to recover your stolen package.
Consider getting a security camera or smart video doorbell to protect your front porch. Look for devices that send a live stream to your phone and have motion alerts, so you’re notified when something’s going on. The best cameras have an intercom feature that lets you talk to any suspicious characters on your doorstep.
Keys can show up in the weirdest places. If you’ve lost your house or car keys, use these tricks to recover them.
You aren’t getting far without your keys. Take a breath and try these tips to find them.
If you tend to lose your keys, try a Bluetooth tracker like a Tile Pro fob. This little gadget attaches to anything (including keys). The app shows the fob’s location and sounds an alarm to help you find it.
Smart locks are a solution that nearly eliminates keys. They’re easy to install and use methods like numeric keypads or fingerprint scanners to let you into your house.
Use the tips here to keep better track of your keys, but if you do end up locked out of your car or home, use our step-by-step guide to get back inside.
Nobody wants to lose their valuables or fall victim to theft, but if it happens to you, you aren’t powerless. Remember to take precautions by watching your items, keeping your digital information safe, and having a plan in mind before the theft happens.
Your smartphone may be lost, but it’s not forgotten. Follow these tips to try and track it down:
Android and Google: Find My Device helps you locate your Android phone, laptop, or tablet.
iOS and Apple: Find My locates iPhones, Macbooks, AirPods, and Apple Watches. Log into your iCloud account and go from there.
Whether it’s in a coffee shop, on public transit, or in your own home, losing your laptop can be a nightmare. These are a few ways to increase your chance of recovering your laptop.
Don’t give up your lost laptop—try these tips to locate it and keep it safe until it turns up:
Add anti-theft apps like Prey and LockItTight to new devices when you get them. These apps help you track down your device if it’s lost or stolen. But they need to be on your device before it’s gone.
Sometimes a lost car has been stolen, but more often, you’ve simply forgotten where you parked. Before reporting your vehicle as stolen, take these steps to locate your missing vehicle.
Just because you can’t find your car doesn’t mean it’s gone for good. Check out these tips to locate your ride.
If your car was stolen out of a garage, there may be parking attendants who saw what happened or know where to find footage.
You might also find leads by searching for car parts or at your local junk yard. Many stolen vehicles get dissected and sold for parts. Automated systems can help you identify parts from your stolen car—but don’t contact the seller directly. Report your findings to the police and let them take it from there.
Preventative measures like steering wheel locks can prevent your car from getting stolen. GPS vehicle trackers can also help find your vehicle when it’s missing (even if you forgot where you parked).
Missing anything from your wallet (or your entire wallet) can be nerve-wracking. Thankfully, there are ways to replace or renew important items like driver's licenses, credit cards, and even social security cards.
A stolen identity or wiped-out bank account aren't the kinds of surprises you want. Protect yourself with identity theft protection.
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Like any important missing item, don't panic. Losing your driver's license or ID can be scary, but it could simply be misplaced or left behind somewhere.
Missing credit cards can be the thing of adulthood nightmares. But like the missing driver's license, it's important not to panic. Consider what you used your card for last and call the store or shop to see if they still have it.
You may not use your Social Security card often, but when you need it, it’s usually for something important. If you’ve lost your Social Security card, you can request a replacement through the Social Security office online.
Unfortunately, some states don’t allow a replacement card request online. In these states, you’ll need to apply through the mail:
When searching for information about Social Security or other government IDs, be sure to use trusted sources such as government websites. Don’t be fooled by scammers posing as government agents who could swipe your Social Security Number.
Accidents happen and we're all prone to losing valuables from time to time. From packages and car keys to important documents, a little extra mindfulness can go a long way when it comes to tracking your things (and preventing theft).
It depends on the circumstances around your lost item. If the police find your missing car, laptop, or other valuables, they may keep it as evidence against the thief, or you could get it back. It depends on how you reported it stolen and who found it.
Burglars and thieves usually steal valuables to turn a profit. Pawn shops are the most common places to recover stolen items. But online listing sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are increasingly popular places to sell stolen goods.
Many thieves are smart enough to know not to sell in the area they stole items from. Use a resource like Stolen 911 to check national listings for your stolen items.
Yes, but only if you know that the goods are stolen. Possession of stolen goods is considered a misdemeanor or felony depending on the items and circumstances involved.1
Again, it depends on the circumstances around the theft. If your stolen item was used to commit another crime, it might be held as evidence. For things like bikes, laptops, or smartphones, file a police report, and law enforcement will notify you if they find the item.
Unfortunately, recovering your stolen items is up to you. While filing a police report can help, it won’t guarantee the safe return of your valuables. Thankfully, sources like Stolen-Property connect you to online listings to help make your search easier.
Start by taking pictures of any damage to your car and the contents inside. Share a list of missing items with the police for the police report.
Next, contact your insurance provider. Depending on your policy, they might be able to help with any damage. But unfortunately, there aren’t many policies that cover the contents of your car.
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