I remember driving in an Uber while on vacation in the beautiful Cape Town, South Africa. We were driving along the coast on the Atlantic seaboard, staring into the beauty while my mind started running on potential business ideas. Then, as we were approaching my drop-off location, I picked up my bag and noticed a wallet on the floor.
It was a beautiful leather wallet that seemed to be handmade. Inside the wallet was a noticeable amount of cash, about three credit cards, perhaps another four membership cards, and a driver’s license. As I looked through the wallet’s contents in the hopes of finding contact information or an address, I noticed that this person was also a tourist visiting from abroad.
This was during COVID, when all flights out of South Africa were temporarily blocked by almost all other countries. I felt overwhelming sympathy for the owner of this wallet and its contents, knowing that he would not be able to get another driver’s license while there, and not knowing how long he would have to stay. Lastly, and potentially most importantly, the owner of this wallet had a very old photo in it, in black and white, slightly tarnished, and obviously sentimental.
I so badly wanted to help this person return their wallet to them. I am an honest person, and even though I know from experience that most Uber drivers are honest people too, I must admit however, that in this specific circumstance, I wanted to be the person who would return the wallet. I was reminded how awful I felt when I lost a wallet before. Yes, losing cash is never fun, but the torturous feeling of being continuously reminded of the fact that you lost the wallet, while you struggle through the process of replacing all of its contents was the worst.
That day, I had no way of being able to return the wallet to its rightful owner, no matter how much I wanted to. The owner did not leave any information or a way for me to contact them, and I had no choice but to leave the wallet with the Uber driver and hope that this driver would have the same desire as me, and that the owner would know to contact Uber, and hopefully, a connection could be made.
I also knew I never wanted to experience what I did, and what this wallet owner was probably experiencing too. I knew there had to be a better way. At first, I vowed to start marking all my personal items with my name and number, which I quickly decided against. One, it wouldn’t look good to have a sharpie mark on my sleek-looking laptop, for example, and secondly, I would be displaying my personal information to everyone. Something that I didn’t want to do in today’s day and age when keeping private information private is so essential for digital security.
This is when I started researching all the different options available out there. I read every single review available on each to understand all the best features and decided on an initial idea. This idea, I then discussed with everyone willing to listen, and adjusted based on feedback. I also tested this in work groups, and came up with a solution that solved the majority of the problems, and called it LostIt Tag. With LostIt Tag, no one will ever need to lose their wallet or other personal items again without a way for honest finders to return them, in case they wanted to. And this is how it works:**
How to Use LostIt Tag to Find a Lost Wallet
If you’ve ever lost your wallet, you know the sinking feeling that comes with it. But with LostIt Tag, finding a lost wallet becomes much easier and more secure. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use LostIt Tag to ensure your wallet can be returned to you if it ever goes missing.
1. Attach a LostIt Tag to Your Wallet
The first step is to attach a LostIt Tag to your wallet. You can get your LostIt Tag here. LostIt Tags are discreet and stylish, designed to be branded in with a professional look, without being obtrusive to your wallet or other personal items. The tag contains a unique QR code that you can link to your account in the app.
2. Activate the Tag in the LostIt Tag AppOnce your LostIt Tag is attached, activate it using the LostIt Tag mobile app. You can customize the settings, such as linking the tag to your contact information, adding special instructions for anyone who finds your wallet, or adding an optional reward amount. Importantly, your personal details are never displayed directly to the finder; instead, the QR code links them to a secure, anonymous communication platform.
3. Lose Your Wallet? Don’t Panic
If your wallet goes missing, LostIt Tag has you covered. When someone finds your wallet, they can simply scan the QR code using their smartphone. Clear instructions on what to do with the qr code, will be visible to the finder. The QR code will direct them to a secure web page where they can communicate with you anonymously via the LostIt Tag platform. You will be automatically notified that your wallet has been found, with a location of where your item was found, so you can start heading in that direction.
4. Communicate Securely
From there, you can communicate directly with the finder through the LostIt Tag app, without revealing your personal information. This feature is especially useful in scenarios where your wallet might be found in a restricted area, like an airport, where direct access is limited, and you need to communicate with someone to meet at a specific pickup location.
5. Block Unsolicited Scans
In the event that your wallet is not truly lost, for example, when you are having a drink at a bar and someone scans the QR code out of curiosity, LostIt Tag allows you to block unsolicited communication requests. This ensures that you only interact with genuine finders who are trying to return your wallet.
6. Retrieve Your Wallet
Once you’ve confirmed the location and details with the finder, you can arrange to retrieve your wallet. Whether it’s meeting in person or having it sent to you, the LostIt Tag system makes the process straightforward and stress-free.
With LostIt Tag, the frustrating experience of losing a wallet can be significantly reduced. The secure, anonymous communication system protects your personal information while giving finders an easy way to return your lost items. How to find a lost wallet is no longer a question of luck; with LostIt Tag, it becomes a matter of simple and secure communication.
LostIt Tag was born out of a desire to solve the very problem that once left me feeling helpless. Now, with this simple yet powerful solution, you can protect your wallet and other valuable items, ensuring that they find their way back to you, no matter where they might be lost.