Uber’s 2023 Lost & Found Index reveals bizarre items passengers left behind

Brady Boyd, Giana Rawlings, Kirsten Santana and Ruth Oliveros-Gallardo • May 5, 2023

Image Courtesy of: Uber

Uber’s annual Lost & Found Index takes a look at the 10 most commonly forgotten items, the 10 most “forgetful” cities, The 50 most *unique* lost items and identifies some trends in what people lost and when.

Uber’s 2023 Lost & Found Index highlights some of the more unusual items passengers left behind in the company’s vehicles.

For the seventh straight year, the annual report “provides a snapshot” of “the most commonly forgotten and most unique” items lost by riders.

Among some of the strangest items reported lost last year, a few worth noting are two pet turtles, a bidet, a fog machine, a unicycle and a slushy machine.

While everyday items like clothing, phones, keys and wallets consistently top the list as the most commonly forgotten, the ride-share company’s drivers reported a range of objects left in their backseats: from the commonplace (a feather, two fingernails) to the more luxurious (a Hermes scarf and one Gucci loafer), pets (a hamster, a toy poodle) and people (“I lost my girlfriend” one rider reported), of sentimental importance (a green pen) and legal (a power of attorney document issued by Turkish consulate).

Uber riders can use the company’s app to contact drivers about lost items, resulting in some more humorous reports, like a passenger losing their “self-respect, mostly.”

According to the company, the most forgetful days of the week in 2022? Saturday and Sunday.

April seemed to be the most forgetful month, with April 5 and April 9 being the two most forgetful days. April 5, 2022 saw nearly 1,000 items reported lost alone.

If you ever find yourself in danger of making Uber’s Lost & Found Index, they can help reconnect you with your belongings here.

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About the Contributors

Brady Boyd, Staff Writer

Giana Rawlings, Staff Writer

Giana Rawlings is a junior at Normal Community High School and participates in basketball, Best Buddies, I-Club and Freshmen Mentoring Program. This is her first year working with the Inkspot, and she is a staff writer. In my free time, I like to shop until I drop and hangout with friends. My all-time dream is to travel the world and experience different cultures. A slogan to live by is "don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket."

Kirsten Santana, Senior Staff Reporter

Kirsten Santana is a senior at Normal Community High School and involved in the internship program. This is her third year working on the Inkspot, and she is a senior staff reporter. My favorite film is either "Mamma Mia" or "Little Women." I am currently reading "On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous" by Ocean Vuong. One of my favorite quotes is "In the end, we'll all become stories." - Margaret Atwood

Ruth Oliveros-Gallardo, Staff Writer

Ruth Oliveros-Gallardo is a senior at Normal Community High School and is on the track and field team. This is her first year working with the Inkspot, and she is staff writer. After school and on the weekends, I enjoy working and spending time with my friends. My biggest pet peeve is people chewing with their mouths open. I am most comfortable when I am with my sisters or by myself.