The Internet Lost and Found : Frequently Asked Questions
Please click on a question to see the answer.
  • How do I respond to an ad?
    Once you see an ad on the results page that interests you, click on the icon on the left side of the ad to view the full ad. The icon can be a magnifying glass, a thumbnail picture, or a money bag. When you have the full ad in view, you will see the ads contact information near the bottom. You can elect to call the individual or email them by clicking on the letter icon. All email addresses are kept confidential to protect the individuals privacy and to reduce spam.
  • I have been wondering what happens to the items or animals if they are not claimed?
    The outcome of such is determind by your local laws. Please contact your local law enforcement agency for `further guidance.
  • Does The Internet Lost and Found keep an inventory of found items?
    No. We are simply and online exchange for lost and found information.
  • Why does your website seem slow?
    There are generally three reasons why this may occur. Your computer or ISP (Internet Service Provider) may be experiencing problems. Be sure to check your modem settings so that you are connected at the highest possible connection speed, or contact your ISP. The Internet itself may be experiencing a traffic jam. Try again later when the demand is less. We may be experiencing technical problems. If you are still experiencing difficulties, please contact us.
Entering Information
Searching
  • How do I search for an item I lost on my local transit system?
    Go to the Found Database
    Select Advanced Search Options
    Enter your State and type in the name of the transit system (or in some cases the acronym) in the Keyword Field
    For a more detailed search enter in more information, such as your city, category, and date you lost you item
  • How do I search for an item I lost at an airport?
    Go to the Found Database
    Select Advanced Search Options
    Enter your State and type in the name of the airport or airport code in the Keyword Field
    For a more detailed search enter in more information, your category, and date you lost you item
  • I lost my item while traveling by plane between two cities. How do I search for it?
    You will need to make 3 separate searches.
    One for each airport, and one using the name of the airline.
    Go to the Found Database
    Select Advanced Search Options
    Enter your departure State and type in the name of the airport or airport code in the Keyword Field (2) Enter your arrival State and type in the name of the airport or airport code in the Keyword Field (3) Enter the name of the airline in the Keyword Field
    Adding additional information such as category, date, and further descriptive information like brand, color, etc. will narrow your results.
    Alternatively, you can make two searches using just the keywords of airport and a word identifying your item, however, the number of results may be too large.
  • What is the difference between searching and matching?
    Searching provides you a list of our ads based on criteria you specify at the time of the search. Matching is our proprietary email matching process that serves to match your lost ad with identical and closely comparable found ads to provide helpful and essential information for recovery.
  • What is Search?
    Searching allows you to specify the types of ad profiles you want to see. You can conduct an unlimited number of searches by selecting the preferences and characteristics. Start with category and zip code. Add additional parameters such as date, brand, breed, city, etc. to narrow your results.
  • How do I respond to an ad?
    Once you see an ad on the results page that interests you, click on the icon on the left side of the ad to view the full ad. The icon can be a magnifying glass, a thumbnail picture, or a money bag. When you have the full ad in view, you will see the ads contact information near the bottom. You can elect to call the individual or email them by clicking on the letter icon. All email addresses are kept confidential to protect the individuals privacy and to reduce spam.
  • I followed the directions, but my results are still too large. What do I do?
    You can always use the date to pare down results. Enter the date when you lost your pet/item and view results from that date (they should be the only valid entries in your case)
  • I lost my dog. Should I just search within my zip code or a larger area?
    Lost animals can literally show up anywhere. Whether by their own means or transported by car, we recommend searching a large area. To search a larger area, omit using your city or zip code in your search just use State. If you live close to another State, we would suggest searching both States. You can even omit State and search the whole country unpractable, but possible!
  • I signed up for the Spotlight Ad, but when I hit the homepage, I don't see my ad?
    The Spotlight Ad rotates with others who have selected that option. Your ad will be seen by people visiting the homepage, but just not everybody who visits it.
  • I can't seem to find my ad even though I submitted it?
    Your ad is submitted once you get to the Thank You page. If you didn't reach that page, your ad wasn't received. On the Thank You Page there is a hyperlink that will allow you to view your ad. If you go back and check using a broad search, make sure you are using the correct date. Ads are in order by date lost or found, not by the date submitted.
  • When I searched in your database, I found a result that said, x items located. One of them looks like my dog. Does that mean my dog was found?
    Make sure you are looking in the FOUND database section of the website. This icon is labeled, Search for Found Items (Pets). If your item is in this section than someone has found your lost property or pet. Otherwise, you are looking in the database reporting lost objects, and therefore are looking at your own ad. If you are still confused, check the detail page if your own information is there, than you are looking at the ad you placed.
  • How do I find my listing that was posted in the past?
    Simply use the keyword field and put in your email address or phone number. Your listing should appear. Alternatively, you can go to the Edit Your Listing page and view your listings there.
  • What does the Keyword Field do?
    The Keyword Field works just like a search engine. Any word you enter, the resulting ads will have that word contained somewhere in them. It is very useful for searching when a specific location or characteristic (such as brand or breed) is known.
Contact / Email Questions
Password Questions
Picture Questions
Premium Services Questions
Returning Items/Pets
Reward Questions
  • Why does the ILF charge a 1% reward fee?
    In order to make the reward amounts true to their purpose, ILF institutes the 1% fee. Basically, it is a way of preventing people from making outlandish promises for reward amounts that they have no intention of keeping. A 1% charge is less likely to affect lower reward sums than higher sums. Thus the rationale is users who sincerely want to offer a high reward figure will not mind paying the 1% fee. This also prevents those with absolutely no intention of paying a high reward from diluting the value of the other ads with high rewards.
  • I found a pet/item and it shows a reward. I want to make sure I get paid. What do I do?
    We suggest that you use Escrow.com as an intermediary.
  • How much should I offer as a reward?
    You will need to decide what you would like to offer as a reward. Check other ads to see what they offer to get a sense of where to start. Remember! Any reward amount offered by you is your responsibility. Make sure you can afford it.
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