Put a phone # in your purse
 

Today, My son and I went to DC. We took the DC metro. As we were getting off I noticed a purse. The purse had money, lots of credit cards, and a new batch of unwritten checks. No phone nor anything with a phone number on it. All I could do was leave it with the station manager. I know if it were me, I would be sick and it would probably ruin my whole trip.
So whatever you do, please- please PUT A Phone Number on the inside of your purse.

How nice of you to turn it in. Identification with contact information is really important! Might not want to put an address in case someone not as nice as you would find the purse.

I wouldn't put a phone number in my purse. Anyone could use the phone number to find your home address, (using Google).

If you carry house keys in your purse, you have just opened your home to anyone who might find your purse.

I know you mean well, but unfortunately, everyone cannot be trusted.

You did the right thing. Hope they go back and look. My husband left his expensive camera on the train from NYC one time. Someone turned it in and we were able to take the train back into NYC the next day and go get it. We were so thankful someone was honest.

Friend of mine lost her driver's license. It showed up in the mail from someone who had found it and mailed it back to her. I don't know what the line is between being able to retrieve your things and not open yourself up to crime. The secret is to never lose anything, but ... Perfect World is not where I live!

I lost my bill fold years ago and went straight to the police to report it. They told me that when people find your things, they could drop your ID anywhere and you could be charged with a crime. I did get it back with everything in tact.

Her purse had a new package of checks with only 3 checks written/used. Her checks had her name and address but no phone number. She had 15 credit cards in one wallet and another hand full in a rubber band in the side pocket. It had her drivers license, money, and cash cards. The only thing the purse didn't have was keys, a cell phone nor a phone in it. I felt sick for her. I knew when she realized she didn't have it, panic was going to hit.

I was torn between just sending back by mail or leaving it with the train/metro station manager. In the end my thoughts were she was on vacation since the address said California. She would need her purse to get back home. I really wasn't sure what was best. I was torn.

There's also the thing in this day and time, if you are in a public place and you see some package/purse/book bag left- do call police or pick it up. It was an experience.

I sure hope she thinks to check with metro.

If you carry checks or a license, they have your address.

"I was torn between just sending back by mail or leaving it with the train/metro station manager. In the end my thoughts were she was on vacation since the address said California. She would need her purse to get back home. I really wasn't sure what was best. I was torn. "

If you left the station with it, you could have been charged with theft. Even if your intentions were honorable. You did the right thing, hope the train station people are as honest as you.

OTOH, WTH was she doing carrying that many credit cards!! That is CRAZY! I have a lot of credit cards but only one or two are in my wallet at any time, the rest are at home. Just because your wallet has all those slots, doesn't mean you have to fill them up with credit cards!!

You are a good Samaritan, indeed. But DO NOT pick up packages, book bags, backpacks or any other unidentified objects in a public place. This is how the Boston bombers delivered their mayhem, and it has become all too common practice. If you see an item left behind by someone, get away from it, and please notify authorities, but don't put yourself and others in danger by picking them up. Also, if you see a plastic bottle left anywhere, even your lawn, be aware that small bombs are being made by kids or whoever, and left around. All it takes is a few ingredients and a small ball of aluminum foil. They are motion activated and can go off if you pick them up. http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/bottlebomb.asp Better to move it first with a long stick, or notify authorities. I know it sounds paranoid, but what happened last week can happen again.