If you found a wallet full of cash, be honest, would you take it?

Question

tbh I’d probably take it….💀
I’d feel bad because I imagine losing all that cash would obviously suck. But at the same time…. that’s their own fault.

Because A) who in this day and age, walks around with stacks of cash? Put that shit in a bank account, you’re ASKING to be robbed

and B) they should be more responsible with their shit. If you know you have a wallet with hundreds or even thousands of dollars in it, than why are you just leaving it places?

TheorionMage · Accepted Answer

Two conflicting issues exist. FOREMOST, is there a means to identify the wallet's owner? IF NOT, the second issue come into affect.

'Legal tender' is in fact what is known as a 'bearer bond', ... it is a ARBITRARY placeholder of 'worth' 'X' amount of anyone's time / efforts. Its inedible and without an agreed-upon 'value'... is in and of itself intrinsically WITHOUT 'worth'', which is HOW its vulnerable to be illegally duplicated (counterfeit-ed)

I once worked for the Radisson Hotel Burlington and on a late weekend night after the hotel's in-house nightclub had closed. Myself, the Night Mgr and the Night Auditor were gathered on the hotel's Mezzanine. We'd been there about fifteen minutes in the wee hours and I happened to look down and saw a $100 bill lying upon the floor near my foot. Casually, I moved such that my foot covered it. It was apparent that NONE of us had accidentally dropped it. As they walked off, I stooped down and scooped it up to their chagrin.

Later I'd learned that the night manager reported the incident to the HR Mgr, believing I should have surrendered it. I in turn queried the HR Mgr. if any guest or patron had. reported the loss of CASH, if so, I WOULD return this 'BEARER BOND'.

Procedurally, both the HR Mgr and myself knew pragmatically it would have been held 24-48 hrs and then been made 'property' of the hotel, placed in misc. funds, rather than returned TO ME!

The hotel had done NOTHING to warrant its 'ownership' as the bill was discovered in a COMMON PUBLIC AREA... not some 'privy' staff only back of house.
HR was upset, even though I offered to have said 'worth' deducted from my paycheck. They KNEW legally I was on firm legal precedent! ;)

MrOracle · Accepted Answer

I've found and returned a couple of wallets, but the most memorable example was one night, I was driving on a busy street a few towns away, and I saw some money ($20 bills) in the road. I immediately pulled over and started picking them up - and there were quite a few more than I initially saw. But as I continued to look, I found a wallet with a few more $20s inside of it, along with a driver's license and some other stuff.

It took 2-3 days (this was in the early 90s, before anyone but universities and defense contractors had Internet access) to track the guy down, but I got him back his wallet and money. I think it ended up being $40 short - I guess a couple of bills got by me, with all of the traffic on that busy road - but needless to say he had no idea where he'd lost his wallet (he'd been on a motorcycle), and never expected to see it again.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I’d turn it in. Because
A) I wouldn’t want that to happen to me
B) I feel like God and the Angels are always watch me
C) I find more honor in not stealing someone hard earned cash
D) I wouldn’t want someone to do it to me
E) I Prefer to be respectful of other’s property than not to be
D) I’ve come across this situation in real life while working at a very busy mall full of tourists. Tourists tend to bring stacks of literal cash/dollar bills of Brazilian or EUROS, then all exchange it for U. S dollars and carry STACKS. They’ll take thousands with them and go shopping in American Malls. Well I found a wallet with Literal Thousands of dollar bills and a Brazilian Mans information and everything in this one enormous wallet. I went and turned it in. At the HELP CENTER we all tried to contact the man through Facebook and we found him. He got all his money back.

(Everything in this 3rd dimensional material world is all nice BUTT. We’re all only here as a test. The plants witness our actions. The animals witness our actions. The angels witness our actions. You can believe me or not. Nothing is a secret in Gods eyes. No Abu$e, No An! mal Torture, No R4pe. We can have our doors closed all we want. But everything, absolutely everything is being watched)

SkyCastle90 · Accepted Answer

Yes, I've done it before.

Went to a Wells Fargo atm after closing and saw a wallet on the number pad. Of course, my fiance was nosy and looked for identification. He found it and realized the guy lived just up the road and wanted to deliver the wallet.

Speaking from a women's perspective, I was like, "That's unsafe, we dont know what this man is about."

So fiance research the name and saw public records that this guy is a criminal with a lengthy past and recent arrest. Fiance had a troubled past as a minor and wanted to give this guy the benefit of the doubt. I found the empathy sweet, but where my fiance troubles with the law stopped, this man continued.

I called non-emergency and an officer volunteered to come by. The officer saw the name and wanted to know details where the wallet was found, so I told her everything.

Sonorous · Answer

Unless I'm somewhere starving to death, I'd always try to return it. I know what it feels like to have stuff stolen from me. Doesn't feel good. Especially when you've worked hard for it.

Plus, you could make a wealthy ally! That could prove to be more beneficial in the long run if you play your cards right!

SphynxUK · Answer

If I found a wallet, which I have twice, I would hand it in or return to owner if the address was close.

When I was about 6, I found a small envelope in the street. I opened it out of interest, and money was inside. I felt really scared, and gave it to my mum. It was apparently a wage packet, but had no name, company or identifying detail. She kept it. I’m glad about that to be honest, as we were really poor, and it put food on the table. Years later she told me she felt really about it, but needed to feed us….

theothersider · Answer

Back when the pandemic started my husband and I went to the ATM to draw some money out ( didn't know at that time how things were going to shake out) my husband walked up to the machine he then turned around and flagged me down not wanting to get out of the truck since our kids were in the back. he came back over and told me some one left their money sticking out of the dispenser slot on the atm. so I asked how much is it. He counted it it was $400... I told him to take it back into the bank.

I mean we could have likely kept it. but I couldn't help but think it was some little old lady that got confused and forgot her money or a mom distracted by her kids lost her rent payment so I just couldn't keep it.

Screenwriter · Answer

If there was a name and address, I'd make every effort to contact the person and hold on to the wallet using driver's license etc enclosed.

I'd give it a week or 10 days for a response and if there were none, then you've done everything that could be done without a phone number.

My name and phone are listed and if you find my DL, you can get in contact with me and my wallet "FULL OF CASH!"

HA! I never have a wallet full of cash for more than two days, and have never dropped or lost one... So this is a doubtful scenario...

OpenClose · Answer

I mean I would certainly be tempted. But at the same time, I always return a wallet it send it to lost and found. Either way, if I'm the one returning it and cash is missing, it traces directly back to me. Chances are, it isn't nearly enough money to ease my conscience anyway.

Mind you, if it were some like super expensive name brand wallet and had 5k in cash, and I really needed the money, I might take a grand if they don't ask me for my ID when I return it. Then give fake info. But like it would have to be pretty obvious they aren't hurting for cash.

Otherwise, not worth it for risk of getting caught or having my conscience eat away at me.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

I've already found lots of money and saw to it that the owners got it back. One time, it was a check or two ad a couple money orders totaling a few hundred dollars. I tracked down the guy that owned them and he came to pick them up. Another time, I found a wallet at the library and got ion touch with the owner and set up a time to meet her where she works to give it back to her. There was a $10.00 in it when I found it and it was STILL there when I gave it back! She checked the wallet when I gave it to her and I hung around for a moment to see if she had any issues about its contents and then she decided to give me the 10 spot! I refused to take it and told her I didn't do it for a reward, I just wanted to see to it she got her wallet back. And then I left.
Now, had there just been money by itself and no way to track down who it belonged to, yeah! I'd keep it!
If I could total up every bit of money I ever found in my life, I'd say I found a couple hundred, so far.

Anonymous · Answer

Your username contracticts your thoughts and actions. You're being a lesser thief, not 'great'.
My conscience won't let me do that. I will rather work hard than being a beggar only for some cash. You're even a bigger douchebag if you steal huge amount of cash. You'll also face losses in future one way or another. It's their money, not like they dropped it on purpose.
What if the one who lost his wallet comes back to check and you get caught? Or if other people make a scene for you getting spotted while stealing a wallet? I hope your stuff gets stolen, then you'll realize how it feels to loose something valuable.

Anonymous · Answer

I used to work at a museum and I'll never forget finding this backpack with about 1,000 in cash, and a couple of game systems in it. Turns out one of the teachers for the school group WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO BE WATCHING THIS BAG TO MAKE SURE THE KIDS DIDN'T LOSE THEIR STUFF just left it behind. I returned it to her immediately. I have returned wallets, purses, credit cards, you name it and I've had my credit card returned to me by a restaurant. You literally do not know people's situations. The money may be the only they have to pay their light bill, or medications for their kid, or they've been saving up for a while for something, or it's just their hard earned money. Knowing how bad it sucks to lose your stuff and not have it returned to you, always return.

DWornock · Answer

Perhaps when I was younger but not anymore. I might if it was enough to make a real difference in my life. For example, if I found a bag of cash of $1 million that fell out of a Brinks truck, I would keep it. That would be a difference maker in my life. However, a wallet with a couple thousand dollars would not change my life in any meaningful way. Therefore, if I could identify the owner, I would return it. If I couldn't find the owner, after making a reasonable effort, I would keep it. I certainly would never turn it over to the police because, since police are dishonest, they would keep it.

Anonymous · Answer

I voted B. When I was younger, I used to take some money out of it, before turning it in. I figured I deserved a little something for finding the dude's wallet. Now, with so many people being honest and getting nothing in return, I'd probably just take some and put the wallet back. But at the same time, you never know these days if someone's setting you up or not.
My co-worker found $100 bill once and turned it in. I would've kept it. I found a bag of $100 in quarters once and kept it. I agree with you, they are stupid for carrying it and losing it, and who's gonna pass up free money especially in this day and age?

I once found a brand new cell phone on the trail, and I tried to keep it, but the ATT people said they couldn't transfer my chip into it, so I made a few international calls and threw it in the garbage. The guy must've been pissed, I personally would have been, but at the same time, people should watch their shit.

Cutegirlselvi · Answer

It would never be possible for me to accept it. Also, some people keep photographs of their loved ones or deceased ones in it as a souvenir, and their hard-earned money may have been needed for something truly essential, so if I take it with me knowing that someone will be running around looking for their wallet/purse, I will undoubtedly feel guilty.

Jasmine-Darkfire · Answer

This is confusing cause the law says here to turn it in, then after two years if no one claims it, then it is yours. They will not let you know though if someone claimed it because if no one claims it, or you do not go back and get it, law enforcement gets to keep it.

I would turn it in, if they contacted me and said no one claimed it, its yours but there is no way I am going to remember to check back in two years. Life is busy and I will lose track of time and forget.

ChrisMaster69 · Answer

When I was a kid we played this ‘game’ where we would get a purse (usually) and fill it with dog shit.

Then leave it where there were only the odd person walking, so they could spot it, pick it up and walk round the corner.

the number that walked round the corner and without looking put their fingers inside…

we would then run out and laugh at them.

Anonymous · Answer

2 years back, i did find a wallet... about 80 bucks, bankcard (pin code on a little piece of paper in the back), credit card and driving licence

To get it into comparison, at that point i lived 2 years on the street

I took a 5 bucks bill and the coins...

I didn't copy the credit cards number or took money from the bank account... i turned the wallet at the next police station in...

I thought sometimes maybe i wouldn't be on the street anymore if I used all in the wallet... but then, I wanna live in a better world, and the world can't get better if I do not start by myself...

ArrowheadSW · Answer

Turn it in ASAP. I found a thick fat wallet in a store parking lot a couple of years ago and I only opened it long enough to see where the owner lived from his driver's license. Coincidentally there were two policemen arresting someone on the sidewalk near me, (and it was in a nice part of town also which was odd), so I waited for them to put the guy in the car. Then I handed the wallet to one of them. The policeman actually seemed grateful that someone would turn it in... LOL

Innocently_Pure · Answer

Even if I need a lots of money, I would take it, "BUT" I will gave it back. Leaving it in the same spot is a bad idea. What if after not taking it, the person behind you will take it and steal the money? It's not like, when the owner comes back, the money is still there. There are many selfish people in this world. So taking the wallet and look for the owner, or, if you have time, wait for the owner at the exact spot where you found the wallet is the best thing to do. Look for some business card or anything that can help you contact the owner. You never know, what if the owner of the wallet is Elon Musk, or Bill Gates, if you gave it back to them full, maybe they'll give you a price as a thank you gift.

MCheetah · Answer

It really does depend on who it belongs to. If it's some rich asshole, I'm taking 100% of the cash. If they're working class and it's not that much money, like say $500, then I'll return all of it, and try to let them know I found it by telling nearby businesses.

Lliam · Answer

The wallet would probably contain ID. I'd try to contact the owner and return it.

I've found $20 bills before and kept them. And once I found a $100 bill on the floor in the super market. I figured anyone with a $100 bill was a seasonal trimmer pot trimmer so I didn't feel bad about quietly pocketing it.
Sometimes you just get lucky.

Socal99 · Answer

What goes around comes around first you would feel like such a smock if you actually had a fucking heart and plus what if that person that dropped it that it was full of money and credit cards was going through something in life maybe he had that money in there something in his family or maybe to put it down payment for his daughter who's in the hospital or maybe he pulled it out to help one of his friends out who's struggling with money and then you go and steal it that's fucked up

Levin · Answer

I'd hand it in. I mean, who gives a shit about even a £1000 anyway. Can't buy anything with that unless you're destitute. Are you destitute or something?

I'D hand it I'm even if it had 10000s in it. I'm just built that way. And in any case, karma is a bitch.

I also find the concept of handing the wallet in but keeping the cash funny. Does that really absolve a conscience?

Seinna · Answer

If there was a document I would always return, no matter how much was in it.

If there was no way of determining the owner, I'd take it. I don't see how police could do anything more noble about it than to just take it themselves in those circumstances.

NathanDavis · Answer

yes, I take it and I have returned it a couple of times... but smartphones are way more common and easier to return to their owners

funny that you say it but... the two times If found a lot of cash, it was from people who lost it on their way to the bank... lol

Belgie · Answer

I couldn't take it and feel like me. I would make every effort to return it to its owner.

I've had the good fortune to find, let's say something valuable, in the past, and managed to get it back to its rightful owner. Their look of surprise and joy at getting it back, has stayed with me over the years, in a way that mere money couldn't.

RobT312 · Answer

I have been on both sides of this... do what’s right and give it back.

i have been in a hotel and found a wallet in the lobby in a lounge chair. I brought it back to the Front desk and it went to the owner

on a plane I lost my iPhone in a lavatory. And someone who went in afterwards took it for themselves. Flight attendants even made an announcement. Accidents happen and would be nice if honesty was more popular than greed

magiusX26 · Answer

nope. not for feeling bad either. not only do i say i would try returning the wallet, have actually done this a few times throughout my life. 1st time i was about 5 or 6 years old. found a whole purse full of stuff. turned it in. turns out it was a wiman who had had her purse snatched at a store (out of the seat i think) but the criminal dropped it while running away and i found it.

AviatorTom · Answer

No, I wouldn't.

Several years ago, I found a man's wallet on the sidewalk outside a store. It had several credit cards and about $100 in cash inside. I looked inside and found the owner's identity, contacted him, and returned the wallet to him. He offered me a $20 bill as a reward, which I respectfully declined.

Surely · Answer

I found a young woman's wallet once and was accused of stealing it! When I went to return it.
Next time I will let it lay or put it in a post office mail box. Unless there is a police officer around.
by the way. The money and wallet was taken by someone that she worked with and thrown out the window of a car.

Moose304 · Answer

Because so many people are shit testing and putting these videos up on youtube I think I would simply walk past it. I could see a wallet on a store check-out counter or in a parking lot being an accident! But one just out on a walkway etc? NO! Most police will make a half-hearted attempt to contact the owner. Just too much potential trouble! I would ignore it!

Slartybartfast · Answer

I lost my wallet in 201 while moving across country. someone went to a lot of effort to track me down on Facebook with my driver's license and return it , I told them to keep all the cash in it but they gave it all back intact.

Djmbbasgerd · Answer

what kind of law abiding goodie 2 shoes dork wouldn't take it? lol i laugh at u idiots, cos il be the one walking away with extra money, why the fuck would u give a shit about the person who lost it? thats so soft lol, im by no means a evil psychopath, i hate to watch online murder videos because i feel bad for the victim, but taking their cash, so what? how soft can u be... theyl jus make it back anyways, its not the end of their life, u absolute fairy wimps LOL.

Staximus · Answer

I used to be a busboy at a big restaurant. One night I found a customer's wallet under the table. It had 300 dollars and 2 paychecks in it. The guy didn't make a lot of money. I gave it to the manager to put in the safe. One of the waitresses told me a couple weeks later that one if her regular customers came in and got it, he was really happy that I didn't take his money.

dustybiker · Answer

I’ve had situations like this. I always make an effort to return the items or take them to the police. Zero interest in creating negative karma.

Jessica405 · Answer

Thankfully I am as honest as I can be. I would go through it to try and find an address. If not, hand it in to local police station.

Z1pTD · Answer

One time I found a wallet with like $150 in it and I was like 10 and really wanted the money for a hobby grade rc car but I have it to my parents to give to the police and instead they gave it to themselves because they said that was the best way the money would be used 🙄

Kiran_Yagami · Answer

It has nothing to do with feeling bad. If you can't be bothered to have character when it's easy, you won't have any character at all when shit hits the fan. You can't just turn backbone on and off. Check the ID, find the owner, return the wallet and all contents there-in.

noohair · Answer

I actually did find a wallet at work and turned it in to the office. It had all the vacation pay that this woman got that week. I do not regret doing that at all. She was making minimum wage and I was a department manager. The factory manager actually told me that he was not sure that he would have turned it in.

ninaneedshelp · Answer

Your thought process is incorrect. Suppose the person was going to a place that was cash only? Or what if they were headed to the bank? How would you feel if you lost a wallet full of hard earned cash?

ohshee · Answer

Yes or if there is an ID I will try to locate them and let them know that I have it I've done that a couple times at the same time I have lost my wallet a couple times and I never got a return and that's because it had cash in it

FictionalCharacter · Answer

I remember a guy found my purse at a target parking lot. Well, he returned my purse but took my cash 😑.

I was more upset with my mom than the Samaritan. Cause she was the one who lost my purse while I was loading groceries in the car.

redcheeks · Answer

If there's any ID. Or I know whom it belongs to, then return. We struggle in life other people struggle too.

Unless there's really no ID, at a random place (not your workplace etc cause you can narrow it down)
Then yes I would take.

Wraith_Cemetery · Answer

Happened to me before. Found a wallet full of money. I brought it into a nearby building where the owner was eventually located and gave it back to them. They were ecstatic that I was able to bring it back to them and treated me to a free meal.

chapawapa · Answer

I'd turn it in... Anything less is unethical, rude, selfish, and dishonest... I like to to live a happy life that I am proud if... Stealing from someone doesn't make me proud

Youryeodongsaeng · Answer

I'd feel bad for taking it because thinking about me being in their shoes would honestly suck. But at least I'd have some money. I'll just take all the money and leave the wallet where it was before.

anon171999 · Answer

Yes. If there is an ID or card with a name in it, I'll shout the name. If someone answers, I'll hand them their wallet. Otherwise I'm keeping the cash and leaving the wallet there.

Angie221994 · Answer

I wouldn’t assume it’s their own fault. I’ve seen a lot of car accidents victims lose their things. I used to be a Paramedic. If it’s an emergency (like they’re not stable) we do not try to go back for their things.

Jasmine2121 · Answer

Duh I’d take it if I didn’t see who dropped it and they didn’t have a id or anything like that inside. However I would give it back if I saw who dropped it or if they have id.

TommyMountainFigure · Answer

My job is based on the trust of the public, so yes. I'd take the wallet and hand it in to the police station. In fact I have done so among many other items.

humanearth · Answer

Depends on, if I was homeless and needed food and shelter. Yes, I would take the money.

Otherwise, I would take the wallets to the address in the wallet or take it to the police station, place an add-in the paper for a found wallet

Cathy7734 · Answer

I knew a guy that worked at a gym. Someone turned in a wallet that he found on the floor. It had $40 in it with no ID. This gym worker took the cash, pocketed it, and threw the wallet away.

TruthBringer · Answer

No, I once found a wallet, with cash, an ID and a bunch of other important cards in it. Never did I take anything from it and I made that clear when I handed it to the police office in my town.

mobiusforniner · Answer

Neither, I'd open it, find out who it is, and find a way to return it. Without taking the cash.  Actually had someone do this for me once. Nice to know there are good people in the world.

ItsyBitsySpider · Answer

If I lost it, I'd hope someone would be truthful enough to hand it in or try find me (Id etc), so I'd do the same.

Aakash_Hangargi · Answer

Never have never will , once i even saw a guy next to me in bus dropped his mobile 60,000 INR

And was leaving i had to leave the bus to return the phone to him and i have to wait 2hrs for the next bus 😂🤷

Subarugirl · Answer

I would return it... what goes around comes around.

JDAC2209199 · Answer

I'd take it all without a second thought, I know it's wrong but at the same time I'd see it as the good luck I've been lacking tbh

AndrésC64 · Answer

I don't think that I would. I would hope that if I lost my wallet that someone would be honest enough to return it to me without stealing anything. I know how bad I would feel if I lost my wallet and or money.

MelonSoda · Answer

I would want to take it, but I know my conscious wouldn't let me, so I would end up turning it back in.

Sasha_Gee · Answer

ID? I will turn into a detective and find the owner. But if there is no ID... Finders KEEPERS.

Anonymous · Answer

I would’ve taken the cash after a few hours of no one reporting the wallet. I mean luck is on my side. For those of you who wouldn’t well bless your heart.

purplepoppy · Answer

Take the cash but hand the rest of the contents in to the police

If you found a wallet full of cash, be honest, would you take it?

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