Please call MIT Police at (617) 253-2996 anytime 24 hours a day/7 days a week to find out if your property has been turned in.

Lost Property Definition

Lost property is an item missing from its rightful owner by means of forgetting where it was left. Lost property differs from stolen property in that stolen property is something that has purposely been removed from the rightful owner. Lost property, however, can become stolen property if someone finds something, but intentionally does not return it to its rightful owner or turn it over to the police.

Lost An Item?

MIT Police maintains a Lost and Found at the MIT Police Station located at Building W91, 565-570 Memorial Dr., Cambridge, MA 02139. Students, Faculty, Staff and Visitors are encouraged to inquire about lost or misplaced articles in person by visiting our station or calling us at (617) 253-2996. Anyone claiming lost and found property at the MIT Police must show positive identification such as an MIT ID, Driver’s License, or Passport.

There are other departments around campus that collect Lost & Found items. If items are turned into these departments there may be a delay in reporting these items to MIT Police. Please consider contacting one of the below listed departments to inquire about your item.

MIT Lost & Found Locations

MIT Custodial/Building Services: 617-253-7923

Campus Activities (W20-Student Center, W16-Kresge Auditorium, W11-Religious Center, W15-Chapel, M50-Walker Memorial): 617-253-3913

Sloan School Student Services: 617-253-5049

Gym/Fitness Areas

Zesiger Sports and Fitness Center: 617-452-3690

Alumni Pool: 617-253-2005

MIT Libraries

Barker Library: 617-253-0968

Dewey Library: 617-253-5676

Hayden Library: 617-253-5671

Rotch Library: 617-258-5592

MIT Class Rings: Alumni Office, Office of Records 617-253-8246

DID YOU FIND AN ITEM SOMEONE MAY HAVE MISPLACED?
Items found should be delivered to the MIT Police Department. If you are unable to deliver the item please call the MIT Police at (617) 253-2996 and we will make arrangements to have an officer pick up the item.

WHERE DOES UNCLAIMED PROPERTY GO?
Unclaimed items will be held for at least 30 days, after which time items will be returned to the finder, auctioned, donated, or destroyed. Auctioned items will be delivered to Property Room.Com, Inc. and sold by internet auction posted on http://www.propertyroom.com/.

HOW DO I LEAVE MY CONTACT INFORMATION IF MY ITEM IS TURNED INTO MIT PD LATER ON?
If you have contacted us and there is no record of your item being turn into our department you may fill out the form below. This form will be retained in our records and we will contact you if your item is turned into us. Please note that this online submission form is not monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Inquiries for Found Property should be made in person at the MIT Police Department or by calling us at (617) 253-2996.

Your Name or that of the person who lost an item
Phone number where you or the owner can be reached
Email address for owner or someone we can contact
e.g. "Phone", "Car Keys", "Laptop"
If available, please leave the serial number
Please leave a detailed description of the item lost to help speed up the process in case there happen to be other, similar items turned in
Please let us know the date you last seen your lost item.
Please let us know the location you last seen your lost item if possible.