What if my valuables are lost or stolen?
What should I do if I lost something or a registered item was stolen?
What costs do I incur when I want to have my items returned?
Will I really get a registered item back?
What should I do if I lost something or a registered item was stolen?
By being registered with Numigo, your items are linked to you. Once the finder of your lost object enters the Numigo ID, it will be matched to your email address and the finder's message will be forwarded to you (note that we don't provide your email address or personal data to the finder). You will also receive a SMS. We recommend that you update the status of the lost item to "lost" or "stolen". The status can be changed in the My Numigo section of the Numigo web site. You may also want to review the reward which you pledge to the finder. Increase it, if necessary (note that you may not decrease it after the finder has contacted you).
If you suspect that your item was stolen, please also notify the police. Before going to the police you may want to print out the item's record from the Numigo web site. This way you are able to provide a more complete and accurate description. The same information will also be needed when you contact your insurance company.
If you have lost an article while traveling, please follow the same steps as at home. Numigo protects your valuables world-wide.
How do I get my item back?
When your item is found, you receive a message by the finder. You can then arrange the return. In most cases, the item will be found close to where you are and you can then pick up the item directly. If you are not close to the finder, either the finder can send the item to you via mail or you can have it picked up at the finders' using an express mail or courier service. It is your - the owner's - responsibility of covering the cost for return and the reward.
For sensitive items, especially keys, please never provide your own address to the finder. Also do not provide your full name when exchanging messages with the finder to avoid that the finder can look up your address in the phone book. Either pick those items up yourself or have them sent to a friend's address or to a colleague at your work place.
What costs do I incur when I want to have my items returned?
- Reward: If you have pledged a reward to the finder, you have to pay this amount upon return. In many countries you are required to give a certain amount to the finder. This applies, for example, to Germany (see BGB Lost and Found).
- Administration fees of third parties: Lost and found offices which contacted you via the Numigo web site or directly usually charge a small administration fee.
Will I really get a registered item back?
It may come as a pleasant surprise that studies show that most finders are honest. A simple method for contacting the owner further increases the chances of return. Studies have shown that more than 75% of all respondents intend to return the items they found. This motivation might be further increased by paying a reward. In addition, many locations where valuables are typically lost - airports, hotels, public transport, etc. - already have processes in place to return items if the owner can be identified (by using Numigo for example).
Of course it is not possible to guarantee that every lost or stolen article will be returned to you. But registering your belongings with Numigo will certainly increase the chance of getting your valuables back.