B2English

Lost or Stolen Items

Use these phrases when you need to urgently report a lost or stolen item, contact local authorities, or manage the immediate aftermath of a theft.

Key Phrases

Voice
Reporting a theft · 2 ways to say it

Someone just snatched my bag right out of my hands while I was distracted!

casual

Use this to emphasize the suddenness of the event to a bystander or security guard.

I would like to report a theft, as I believe my wallet was stolen from my jacket pocket.

polite

Appropriate for opening a conversation with a police officer or official.

Reporting a lost item · 2 ways to say it

I can't seem to find my cell phone; I might have left it on the train earlier today.

neutral

US English — Americans use 'cell phone' rather than 'mobile'.

I've lost my mobile, and I have a feeling it might have fallen out of my pocket.

casual

UK English — 'mobile' is the standard British term.

Finding the lost and found · 2 ways to say it

Is there a lost and found where a missing item might have been turned in?

neutral

US English — the standard American phrase for where found items are kept.

Could you tell me if you have a lost property office I could check?

polite

UK English — the British equivalent of 'lost and found'.

Checking if an item was turned in · 2 ways to say it

Did anyone happen to turn in a set of house keys over the last hour or so?

casual

A natural way to ask staff if a recently dropped item has been recovered.

Has a black canvas backpack been handed in to the front desk by any chance?

neutral
Describing the missing item · 2 ways to say it

It's a dark brown leather satchel, which unfortunately contains my laptop and all my identification.

neutral

Provide details about the material and the valuable contents.

It's an older iPhone with a badly cracked screen, and it has a bright red case.

casual

Focuses on highly specific, visible damage to help distinguish the item.

Finding the police · 2 ways to say it

Is there a police station anywhere near here, because I need to report a stolen bag.

casual

Could you direct me to the nearest police station so I can get this sorted out?

polite

A respectful way to ask a local or staff member for directions.

Filing a police report · 2 ways to say it

I need to file an official police report so that I can make a claim on my travel insurance.

neutral

Essential phrasing since insurance companies require documentation.

Would it be possible to get a physical copy of the incident report for my records?

polite
Dealing with bank cards

I need to call my bank to freeze my accounts before someone tries to use my credit cards.

neutral
Contacting the embassy

Since my passport was in the stolen bag, I'm going to have to contact my embassy immediately.

neutral

Practice Dialogue

Traveler
Excuse me, I'm pretty sure my bag has been stolen, and I really don't know what to do.
Security Guard
I'm so sorry to hear that; are you absolutely certain you didn't just leave it somewhere?
Traveler
Yeah, I'm positive; I mean, it was sitting right next to my chair, and now it's simply vanished.
Security Guard
Well, have you checked to see if anyone turned it in at the lost and found desk yet?
Traveler
Not yet, but it's a brown leather satchel, and the worst part is that my passport was inside.
Security Guard
Let's check the front desk first, and if it hasn't turned up, you'll need to file a police report.
Traveler
That makes sense, and I guess I should probably call my bank to freeze my accounts too, just in case.
Security Guard
That's a good idea; come with me, and we'll see if we can get this sorted out quickly.

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