Post
Publish a lost or found report for local discovery.
How ReturnHaven works
One recovery platform, with the right path for each situation
Lost reports, found reports, ownership claims, and recovery leads serve different purposes. ReturnHaven keeps those actions clear so people can move toward recovery more safely.
Watch
Track a case or watch for relevant future reports.
Claim
Assert ownership of a non-person found item.
Send a lead
Privately share useful information about a lost case.
When you lose something
Create a lost report and receive useful recovery information
A response to your lost report is a recovery lead, not an ownership claim.
- 1
Create the lost report
Describe the item, when it was last seen, and an approximate location. Avoid unnecessary personal or security-sensitive details.
- 2
Help people discover it
Your active report can appear in public discovery while you follow relevant activity.
- 3
Receive private recovery leads
A responder can say they have the item, saw it, or have useful location information without exposing those details publicly.
- 4
Review the information
You can request more evidence, accept the lead, or decline it. Private chat opens only after acceptance.
- 5
Confirm actual recovery
Mark the recovery complete only after the item has been returned. Acceptance alone does not resolve the report.
When you find something
Post the item and let the likely owner prove what they know
Claims are reserved for non-person found-item reports and use private ownership evidence.
- 1
Create the found report
Share enough information for discovery, but keep at least one identifying detail out of the public description.
- 2
Receive an ownership claim
A claimant answers a private proof question and may add private image or short-video evidence.
- 3
Review the private proof
You or an authorized reviewer can request more evidence, accept the claim, or reject it.
- 4
Coordinate a safer handover
After acceptance, use the available handover process and keep sensitive contact or pickup details out of the public report.
- 5
Complete the claim
Confirm completion after handover. The found-item report is then resolved.
Claims and recovery leads
Similar goal, different responsibility
Ownership claim
- Applies to
- A non-person found-item report
- What it means
- I believe this found item belongs to me.
- Private information
- A private text answer with optional private image or video evidence.
- Next step
- An accepted claim moves toward handover and later completion.
Recovery lead
- Applies to
- A lost-item report or protected person reconnection case
- What it means
- I have the item, saw it, or have useful recovery information.
- Private information
- Private details with optional image evidence where supported.
- Next step
- Acceptance opens context-bound coordination; the owner confirms recovery.
Safe handover
Acceptance is not the same as recovery
Keep verification, coordination, and completion as separate decisions. This helps avoid premature contact sharing and false recovery outcomes.
Read the complete handover guide- 1Review the information or evidence
- 2Accept only when the response appears credible
- 3Choose a safer contact or pickup arrangement
- 4Do not pay or release an item under pressure
- 5Confirm completion only after the handover occurs
Protected person cases
Community reconnection, not ownership claiming
Missing- and found-person bulletins use private recovery or reconnection leads. Ordinary ownership claims are never used for a person.
Missing-person bulletin
For a missing-person bulletin, responders can privately report a sighting or state that they are currently with the person.
Found-person bulletin
For a found-person bulletin, a responder can state their relationship or ability to help reconnect the person, subject to private review.
ReturnHaven is not an emergency service or custody authority. Contact appropriate local authorities or trusted community institutions when a situation is urgent.
Stay informed
Follow one report or watch for future possibilities
Follow a report
Track activity connected to one specific lost or found report.
Create a watch alert
Watch for future reports using a search phrase and optional case type, category, state, or local government area.
A notification is a useful signal, not proof that two reports describe the same item. Review the details before taking the next step.
Start with the situation you have now
Open ReturnHaven to create a report, explore relevant cases, or respond through the correct recovery path.