What can you do if you have lost or found something?

Have you lost something? If so, try to remember where and when you last saw it.

• Search the places you have been. For example, look at home, at work, in a store or where you last used the item.

• Check to see. Contact stores, restaurants, schools or other places you have been to. Maybe someone has found your belongings.

• Search online. Check websites for lost and found items, such as Verlorenofgevonden.nl

  and iLost
  . You can search here for items that others have found.

• Report what you have lost. Is your item not listed online yet? If so, you can post a report yourself on a lost-and-found website.

• Check back later. It may take a few days for someone to post about a lost item online.

When submitting a report, provide a clear description. For example, include the brand, colour and any distinctive features. Do not include all the details in your public report. This will allow you to verify later whether someone has actually found the item.

You can also check with the municipality to see if anyone has turned in your belongings. Check the municipalitiy's website to find out how to do this.

Have you found a phone, a set of keys, a bag or a wallet? In that case, there are a few things you can do to find the owner.

• See if you can reach the owner. Is there a name or phone number on the item? If so, you can try to contact them.

• Turn in the item where you found it. If you find something in a store, restaurant, school or hospital, give it to a staff member. The owner may go there to look for their belongings.

• Search online for the owner. You can report the item on websites such as Verlorenofgevonden.nl or iLost. First, check the rules regarding the storage and reporting of found items.

• Report lost valuables. Have you found money, jewellery or an expensive watch? Report this; do not just keep the item without doing so.

You can also report a lost item to the municipality where you found it. You can find out how to do this on the municipality’s website. Sometimes you are allowed to keep the item yourself, but you must follow the rules and take good care of it.

Did you lose something on public transport? If so, check the transport provider’s website. Each transport provider may have its own system for lost and found items.

Did you travel by train or through a

• Visit the NS website for lost and found items.

• Is your item not listed? Check back in a few days.

• Did you find your item in the online list? If so, follow the steps to request its return.

Have you found something on an NS train or at a station? If so, please hand it in to an NS employee or report it through a lost-and-found website.

Did you travel by bus, tram or metro? If so, check the transport provider's website to find out where you can report lost items.

If your phone or set of keys falls into a manhole or an underground rubbish container, do not try to retrieve the item yourself.

• Make a note of where it happened.

• Specify as precisely as possible which drain or bin you are referring to.

• Contact the municipality and explain what happened.

The municipality can assess whether it is safe to remove the object. Never open a drain or rubbish container yourself. This can be dangerous.

When it comes to official documents, it is important to take action quickly.

Passport or ID card

• Report the loss to the municipality where you are registered.

• Request a new document.

• Do not use a document that you have reported as lost, even if you find it later.

Have you found someone else's passport or ID card? Then turn it in to the municipality. It will be destroyed to prevent misuse.

Driving licence

• Report the loss to the municipality or to the

  RDW
  .

• Then apply for a new driver's licence.

Have you found someone else's driver's licence? Then turn it in to the municipality.

Do not wait for someone to return your pass. First, make sure others can't use it.

Debit card or credit card

• Block the card as soon as possible through your bank's app or website, or contact your bank.

• Check your account for payments you do not recognise.

• If necessary, apply for a new card.

Did you find someone else's debit card? If so, please turn it in to the bank listed on the card or to an employee at the store or organisation where you found it.

Public transport chip card, public transport pass or NS Business Card

• Block your personal card as soon as possible.

• Request a replacement card.

• Check the transport provider's website to see how to arrange this.

For a simple lost bag, coat or set of keys, you usually do not need to go to the police.

Do you think your belongings have been stolen? If so, you can file a police report. If you are worried that someone has used your debit card, check your account and contact your bank.

Is the lost item dangerous to others, such as certain medication? If so, contact the police for advice.

Whether you have lost something or found something, there is a lot you can do on your own. Look in the right places, check with organisations you have visited and check lost-and-found websites regularly.

Did you find something? Try to contact the owner or report the find to the appropriate place. And have you lost a debit card, ID or public transport card? Then make sure right away that it can no longer be used.