Found Debit Card

[Kimberlee8]

We found a debit card in the bed when cleaning our Airbnb. Of course I would normally just contact the guest and return it. I’m reluctant, though, because this card bears the name of a person who does not appear to have any connection to the guest. (I checked both social media profiles.)

Would you contact the guest via the platform, contact the person named on the card via FB private message, or is there another option? 

[Ann783]

@Kimberlee8 I once found an entire wallet.... with bank card, Covid vaccination card, cash, Drivers license etc. The person was not on the list of registered guests. I suspected a "party guest." Oh well. I mailed the person the wallet at my expense. Then I raised my rates.

[Laura2592]

@Ann783 random wallets with IDs and vax cards do not invite themselves into anyone's home. If they did, I would be happy to welcome any and all with cash 🙂

[Sarah977]

@Kimberlee8 "So, there's no chance it was a gift or something along those lines."

Yes, there is a chance of that. There is nothing stopping, for example, a parent giving their debit card to their adult child to use if maybe the person they gave it to doesn't have a bank account themselves, is out of funds, etc. 

I had my  Canadian debit card stolen a couple years ago and as I was out of the country at the time and couldn't get it replaced, I had a friend who was coming down bring me my adult daughter's debit card for that account- she is joint on my account, but only to make things easy in case something happened to me- she could access the money. But she doesn't use that account for her own  banking, so doesn't use that debit card at all.

So I had a debit card in my possession with someone else's name on it (and her last name is not the same as mine) and there was nothing nefarious about it.

[Helen744]

Helen @744  Ring them and get an address and post it back . This is crossing a line that is not your business. If they deny knowing whose it is or refuse to give a postal address then drop it to the bank.Things end up in beds for all types of reasons . Some of which u will learn as you go along . It is not finders keepers or 'Hercule Poirot"

[Anonymous]

@Helen744   I agree that it's unnecessary to play detective or assume any foul play over the Case of The Cash App Card. But one doesn't put an activated bank card into the post or assume any kind of responsibility for its safe transfer. It's truly the cardholder's responsibility to have the card locked when it goes missing, so if @Kimberlee8  as the finder  isn't able to contact the bank, she would be better off destroying the card. Should the guest contact her to ask about it, she is then in a position to advise the guest to deactivate the card and have a replacement issued, rather than assume any kind of liability for it. 

[Helen744]

Helen@744 , maybe you guys are talking about a different type of card to ours but its not a live snake which I would be cautious to dispose of and I always have a guests mobile number so a piece of cake from where I sit. I deal with missing possessions all the time . Whats this about assuming to "advise the guest'. Keep it simple stupid . Kiss . advise them " oh hello your card is here , I will leave it in the letterbox in an envelope for u to collect . Cheers H.. Has the world around us truly collapsed to that extent

[Laura2592]

@Helen744 it depends on where you live. 

In my area, no one would return a single card, especially if it was not addressed to someone who had not stayed. The safest, simplest way to deal with this is to call the bank or card issuer. 

If I called a guest and handed over the card that did NOT have their name on it, I can fully expect that the rightful owner might contact me angry or even accuse me of theft or fraud.  People in my area love to sue. Likewise, if I somehow lost an item at a place where I was not registered as a guest I would not expect the stranger staying there to find me and return it. I would just cancel and request a new one. 

We do not contact guests about lost items. We have had all kinds of things left behind.  I would not make an exception in this case. I would only reach out if it were something very valuable (jewelry, a full wallet with cash, etc) or necessary (medication with the guest's name clearly listed.)

[Helen744]

Helen@744, how would they know it was you,there is no logic here. I always have guests mobile numbers and so I imagine do you. These things are always found during cleaning which at the moment has a few hours delay but otherwise occurrs on the day of departure. So unless the pixies have been in in that interval whatever is left in the house belongs to the previous guest or guests or they brought it with them . If i find a phone charger or a childs favourite toy or a ring or headphones or any random thing like baseballcaps or anything I will give the guest in charge a call and tell them i have it and if they are still in town I can pop it in the letterbox or if they wish post it . I of  course do not do this with leftover food or bits of marijuana. I have not found keycards but books or anything with anyones name on it I do not assume to be not belonging to them . This is out in the wilds of weirdom to me. H. I always text my guests both before staying, on arrival, and for something like asking them to put the bins out on bin night. I always have the phone numbers of every person and their names. I only text the bookee and I will ring if nothing is forthcoming from them in the lead up to their stay. I do not host criminals at least not deliberately and always believe in their honesty and as A friend used to stay.'talk softly and carry a big stick. "viva la difference'

[Anonymous]

@Helen744  I can totally see where you're coming from, but a lot of this advice is somewhat specific to the USA, a very litigious culture where you always have to be prepared for things working out very differently from the way we feel common sense dictates they should, and people with ill intentions exploiting any loophole that exposes your weaknesses.