When can you claim found money as your own?

Question

I found some money in with some litter at the edge of the street. No way to tell how long it was there.

If it was just some coins, no one would think it was stealing to pick it up and keep it.

If it was thousands of dollars an Honast man would turn it in for the owner to claim it.

How much would it have to be before it becomes stealing to just take it?

What is the cut off?
$10? $20? $50? $100?

Answer 1

It seems to me that if ther is no obvious owner, then you should take any sum over 50$ to the police, and if it is unclaimed you will get it back.

I say 50$ because this is about a day's wages on minimum pay, and it's conceivable that a person might be caused serious difficulties by losing it.

Below that it will increase police administration needlessly.

Answer 2

When my son was little he found a $ 10 dollar bill on the ground and at the time there was one of the bell ringer's out infront of the store . He asked me if he could put it into the bucket I told him he could do what he wanted with it and he put it in the bucket I was proud of him he was only 4 1/2 at the time. Small amounts aren't steeling its the large amounts that are you never know what that money was ment for it could have been for food or medical needs something really important think about how you would feel if it were you who lost the money.

Answer 3

I like T D's cut off at the $50 mark.

I'd just like to add that if if it a huge amount of money - call a few witnesses over before you even touch it. Or just call the cops over. No sense in having you implicated in any theft. What is to stop a person from saying he is missing double the amount you report and then sending you up the creek?

Answer 4

Even if it was $1million,then you turn it over to the police. You might have to answer the question of where did you find it.If no one comes to claim it in thirty days,then it's yours.

Answer 5

I would suggest that you take it to your local police station ~ hand it in , leave a forwarding address, you may find that it is not claimed , hence making it yours. Good luck! :)

Answer 6

if you were honest , I think that you are, you would count it in front of a police officer and if no one claimes it after I think a week or two , I guess it is yours , but only if you share it with me,,,

Answer 7

$0.01: I'd keep it
$0.10: I'd keep it
$1.00: I'd keep it
$10.00: I'd keep it
$100.00: I'd keep it
$1,000.00: I'd keep it
$10,000.00: I'd keep it
... get the point?
And I'm completely honest about it.
Your money is your responsibility.

Answer 8

keep it...no wallet or identification..its yours.