Last Updated: 2 September 2025
At LostFound.ie, our mission is to help reunite lost items with their rightful owners in a secure and fair way. To achieve this, we recommend that finders require some form of verification when a user claims a found item.
1. Purpose of Verification
Verification ensures that items are returned only to the rightful owners, while protecting finders from false or fraudulent claims.
2. Acceptable Verification Methods
When submitting a claim for a lost item, claimants may be asked to provide one or more of the following:
- Description Details: Accurate details about the item (e.g., color, brand, size, unique features).
- Location & Time: Indication of where and when the item was lost.
- Unique Identifiers: Serial numbers, engravings, initials, or marks that are not visible in the listing photo.
- Proof of Purchase (if available): Receipt, warranty card, or digital record of ownership.
- Associated Accessories: Ability to identify related items (e.g., case, keychain, bag contents).
Important: Finders should never request money or sensitive personal documents, such as passports, driver’s licenses, or government-issued IDs, to verify ownership.
3. Finder Responsibilities
- Finders should not hand over an item until they feel confident about the claimant’s verification.
- If uncertain, finders may request further relevant details before arranging a return.
- In case of dispute, LostFound.ie can provide mediation support, but cannot guarantee resolution.
4. Safe Handover Practices
- Arrange handovers in public places or through official Lost & Found offices (e.g., airports, transport hubs).
- Finders must not request payment, gratuity, or gifts in exchange for returning an item.
- Claimants should avoid sharing sensitive personal information (full name, address, phone number, bank details, identification documents) with finders.
- Finders should avoid sharing sensitive personal information (full name, address, phone number, bank details, identification documents) with claimants.
Any attempts to solicit money or sensitive data should be reported immediately to LostFound.ie.
5. False Claims
- Submitting a false claim violates our Terms of Use.
- Repeated offenders may have their account suspended or permanently banned.
6. Our Role
- LostFound.ie acts solely as a neutral platform.
- We do not take possession of items and cannot independently verify ownership.
- Responsibility for verifying claims lies entirely with the finder and the claimant.