Here is a fact that surprises people: most finders want to give lost things back — in a large international experiment, wallets were returned more often than not when they contained money (read what 17,000 wallets revealed). What stops them is usually simple: there is no way to tell whose it is. A good label solves that. A bad one creates a new problem.
The golden rule: never put your home address on keys
A key ring with your address on it tells a stranger exactly which door it opens. The same goes for anything you carry together with your keys. Use a phone number or email address instead — or a contact method that does not reveal who or where you are.
What to put on a label
- A phone number or email — ideally one you are happy to share with a stranger.
- A short line such as "Reward if found". It increases the chance someone takes the trouble to contact you.
- For luggage: your name and phone number outside, and a copy of your contact details plus your travel dates inside the bag — airlines open bags to identify them.
What not to put on a label
- Your home address on keys or anything carried with them.
- Your date of birth, ID numbers or bank details — ever.
- Details that tell a stranger you are away from home (for example "travelling until the 20th" on the outside of a bag).
Item by item
- Keys: a small tag with a phone number, or a tracker — see our lost keys guide.
- Phones, tablets, laptops: set lock-screen contact details or lost-mode messages through Apple Find My or Google Find Hub. A sticker with an email address helps if the battery is dead.
- Earbuds: an engraving or sticker on the case, and lost mode switched on.
- Wallets: a contact card with a phone number or email — not your address.
- Children's things and pets: name and parent's phone number for kids' bags; a collar tag with your phone number and an up-to-date microchip for pets — see lost dog or cat.
When a label is not enough
Labels work only if the finder sees them and decides to act. That is why it also helps to report a lost item on DokiFinder (a free account is required): a finder can post what they found, our matching connects the two reports, and the reward is held safely in escrow until you confirm the item is back — so neither of you has to share an address or meet with cash.
FAQ
Should I put my address on my luggage tag?
A phone number and email on the outside are usually enough. Put fuller contact details inside the bag, where airline staff will look.
Do "reward if found" labels work?
A clear reward gives finders an extra reason to make contact, which is why reward platforms secure the reward in advance.
Is it safe to put my phone number on things?
Generally safer than an address. If you prefer not to, use an email address created for this purpose.