Lost Money in Public: Is It Finders Keepers or Should You Report It?
Have you ever found a bunch of cash in a public place, only to wonder what to do with it?
My son and a neighbor girl found a bunch of bills that were blown by a fence. They took it to the police department, got a receipt, and a couple of months later, the police gave them the money because no one claimed it.
According to most legal systems, unless the money is attached to someone's ID or personal information, it falls under the principle of finders keepers. This is the case in the United States, where a banknote such as a $100 bill remains legal tender and is worth its face value.
Legal Aspects of Finding Money
In the United States, there are no legal restrictions on keeping money found in public areas. As long as the money is not physically attached to someone's ID, you can keep it. Some older denominations, however, may only have historical or numismatic value.
For example, a $100 bill is still legal tender and worth $100. You can have as many of them as you find, as long as no one claims them. However, it is good ethical practice to try to return the money to its rightful owner, especially if the origin of the money can be traced.
Ethical Considerations
Even if you can legally keep the money, in terms of ethics, it is always best to look around and see if anyone is nearby who might be the owner. If there is no one around, it is reasonable to turn it over to the police station and hope they can find the owner or add it to a lost and found department.
An alternative is to take the money and keep it for yourself. After all, nobody would know the difference except for your conscience.
Personal Anecdote
About 15 years ago, I was at a Walgreens on Long Island picking up a prescription. As I waited at the pharmacy counter, I noticed a folded bunch of bills with a single $1 bill at my feet. I wondered if I should pick it up. On a whim, I imagined a TV show showing this exact moment. Recalling my lost $80 from riding my bike a few months earlier, I thought it might be the universe balancing the scales.
There was no one around, so I knelt to tie my shoe and quickly lifted the wad of cash into my pocket, still unfolded. Without a second thought, I left the store, paying with a credit card. Under the dim parking lot lights, I found out it was a $100 bill, along with three more, amounting to $426. I was elated!
After getting home, my parents advised me to turn it over to the police. Initially, I wanted to hold on to it for a new TV, but I decided to do the right thing. I called the Walgreens manager and offered to return the money if anyone could describe the lost cash. At the police station, the officer was impressed, as no one had ever turned in cash before.
I was given a receipt and told that if no one claimed the money, I could reclaim it in a year. Indeed, one year later, I called the station to retrieve the money. At that point, the effort seemed futile, but the real gain was the sense of balance and a reminder of good deeds.
Conclusion
While the legal system allows finders to keep the money, the ethical aspect often encourages us to try and return what we find. Whether you keep the money or return it to its rightful owner, choose the path that aligns with your values and sense of balance. Even doing a selfless act occasionally can bring positive outcomes and strengthen your belief in the good in people.