If someone finds a lost wallet - what are they obligated by law to do?

**suncrafter** · 12-31-06, 08:48 PM

I recently conducted a sociological experiment in Illinois called the "Wallet Test". You can read about it at http://www.wallettest.com/

I deliberately dropped 100 identical wallets in public places to test honesty.

My question is this: If someone finds a lost wallet - what are they obligated by law to do with it?

The test was in Illinois if that makes a difference.

**nitestokker** · 12-31-06, 10:26 PM

Where did you get these 100 wallets in the first place? Is this maybe the reason for the question in the first place?

**suncrafter** · 12-31-06, 10:29 PM

I bought the wallets online, put $2.10 in each one along with ID.

My question was this: If someone finds a lost wallet - what are they obligated by law to do with it?

**jmur5074** · 12-31-06, 10:32 PM

In MN, if you find or come across property that you should reasonably know is missing or stolen, and you don't turn it into the police, or contact the owner, you can be charged with theft.

**Big Sexy** · 12-31-06, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by suncrafter

I bought the wallets online, put $2.10 in each one along with ID.

My question was this: If someone finds a lost wallet - what are they obligated by law to do with it?

You had 100 pieces of ID??

**nitestokker** · 12-31-06, 10:59 PM

Originally Posted by Big Sexy

You had 100 pieces of ID??

In Nebraska you must turn in found property or face misdemeanor charges. Creating fake ID is a felony-even if it is for a "scientific experiment". Good luck with the social experiment the large, tattooed man does on you in prison.

**Autumn2009** · 12-31-06, 11:19 PM

Wow, should have sent all that money you put in the wallets to me better cause

**TheOldRhino** · 01-01-07, 12:12 AM

Originally Posted by suncrafter

I recently conducted a sociological experiment in Illinois called the "Wallet Test". You can read about it at http://www.wallettest.com/

I deliberately dropped 100 identical wallets in public places to test honesty.

My question is this: If someone finds a lost wallet - what are they obligated by law to do with it?

The test was in Illinois if that makes a difference.

I saw the video the other day, I thought it was great. Welcome to the site.

It usually depends on state laws. In Georgia, we have "Theft of Lost or Mislaid Property" that requires the finder to make a "reasonable" attempt to locate the owner.

**Jks9199** · 01-01-07, 12:17 AM

Legally, in VA, I could turn it into a larceny if the totality of the circumstances warranted it. You find a wallet, it's not yours, and you decide to keep it anyway, without making even a minimal attempt to return it -- you've stolen it.

But let's just rely on the Golden Rule test... If it was your wallet that was lost, wouldn't you want someone to return it?

**TXCharlie** · 01-01-07, 12:23 AM

Very elaborate study!

He shows the stuff that went into the wallet here:
http://www.wallettest.com/Lost_Walle...llet_Info.html

Haha - Conversation with thieves trying to redeem the gift certificate and lying out their ass about where they got the wallet:

http://www.wallettest.com/Lost_Walle...ecordings.html

Now try it with laptop computers or $100 bills, and see how many honest people you get

**Jackalope** · 01-01-07, 01:30 AM

A few years ago I saw a segment on Dateline or one of those shows with a very similar experiment. Instead of leaving the wallets out for people to find, the producers turned them into police officers (taping the hand-over with hidden cameras, of course) in an attempt to see how many of the wallets were returned to the address inside the wallet.

Obviously the purpose of the piece was to show what a bunch of corrupt bastards the police are. But to their surprise, every single wallet made it back to the "owner" with all of the money left inside. At least they had the decency to air the segment, despite the fact it wasn't at juicy as they'd hoped.

**BEB** · 01-01-07, 02:19 AM

I saw Dateline for what it was when they did hit pieces on 3 wheelers back in the day. Setting off fireworks to get the GM pickups to explode was really quite refreshing - finally the rest of the world saw them for what they were.

Edit - oops

**cntryboy0531** · 01-01-07, 02:43 AM

Originally Posted by Jackalope

A few years ago I saw a segment on Dateline or one of those shows with a very similar experiment. Instead of leaving the wallets out for people to find, the producers turned them into police officers (taping the hand-over with hidden cameras, of course) in an attempt to see how many of the wallets were returned to the address inside the wallet.

Obviously the purpose of the piece was to show what a bunch of corrupt bastards the police are. But to their surprise, every single wallet made it back to the "owner" with all of the money left inside. At least they had the decency to air the segment, despite the fact it wasn't at juicy as they'd hoped.

That thing was flawed from the get go. If I can't find an owner (or just don't have time to hunt one down) it maybe a few days before I can get a chance to find one, or it may just end up in property/evidence as a found property report..

**Lo523** · 01-01-07, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by jmur5074

In MN, if you find or come across property that you should reasonably know is missing or stolen, and you don't turn it into the police, or contact the owner, you can be charged with theft.

Its the same here in the UK - you could be charged with theft by finding.

**Piggybank Cop** · 01-01-07, 04:53 PM

Excuse me, did anyone loose this $100 bill?

Yeah, right.

ps: do that, then tell them it's counterfeit and you'll have to arrest them; what fun.

**TXCharlie** · 01-01-07, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by 1sgkelly

Excuse me, did anyone loose this $100 bill?

Yeah, right.

ps: do that, then tell them it's counterfeit and you'll have to arrest them; what fun.

Sub-Topic: Are you allowed to invent your own "sting operation" to entertain yourself in your spare time?

**suncrafter** · 01-01-07, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by nitestokker

Creating fake ID is a felony-even if it is for a "scientific experiment". Good luck with the social experiment the large, tattooed man does on you in prison.

The ID was not a drivers licence, a SS# card or any official document such as that. It was just a card that showed my name, address and phone number. See here for details:
http://www.wallettest.com/Lost_Walle...llet_Info.html

**Big Al** · 01-01-07, 07:30 PM

I found one at a Stop and Rob, mailed it to the adressee on the ID inside with a note.. Didn't even get a thank you call or letter, but I did the right thing.

**suncrafter** · 01-01-07, 07:38 PM

Originally Posted by jmur5074

In MN, if you find or come across property that you should reasonably know is missing or stolen, and you don't turn it into the police, or contact the owner, you can be charged with theft.

Thank you. That's what I needed to know. To be honest, I was 99% sure that was the case, but I needed confirmation from an expert.

Thank you again,
- Suncrafter

**jmur5074** · 01-01-07, 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by suncrafter

Thank you. That's what I needed to know. To be honest, I was 99% sure that was the case, but I needed confirmation from an expert.

Thank you again,
- Suncrafter

Well, if you want an expert, talk to a law professor.

I'm a stupid cop.

haha