Can you keep a wallet you found?
Under California Penal Code 485, if you find property that was lost by the original owner, you are legally obligated to return it to the owner, if possible. If you make no effort to return the property and keep it for yourself, then you could face either misdemeanor or felony theft charges.
What do I do if I find someone else’s wallet?
It’s best in this case to dial the local police department’s non-emergency number—don’t tie up the 911 dispatch system for something like this—and tell them that you found a lost wallet and are standing near it. Ask for a patrol vehicle in the area to come and take over, and wait with the found wallet if you can.
What should I do if someone is claiming money from my wallet?
In those kinds of situations, you have to use your own judgment about whether the person claiming the money is being truthful. If the money is in a wallet, you should check for ID. If the wallet contains no ID but does have credit cards, you can call the customer service number on a credit card and the card company can contact the owner.
Do people return lost wallets?
The three-year study, possibly the largest real-world test of whether people behave honestly when given incentives not to, found they are actually more likely to return lost wallets containing money. And the more money, the better the chances people will return it.
How do I find out who owns a wallet with no ID?
If the wallet contains no ID but does have credit cards, you can call the customer service number on a credit card and the card company can contact the owner. You also should look inside a container of cash for any information it might contain about the owner.
Can I return a wallet to the post office?
The United States Postal Service will return wallets that are found to the owner. This service is free of charge and the safest way to assure the wallet finds its way to the owner. Keep in mind when returning a wallet this way, you must use blue post office boxes that people cannot reach into and grab the wallet.