The MTA is really bad at returning your lost items, says new undercover study

If you’ve ever left your AirPods wedged between subway seats or your tote bag forgotten on the Q, don’t hold your breath waiting for the MTA to give it back. A new undercover study by the agency’s own inspector general reveals what New Yorkers already suspected: The MTA is basically a black hole for your belongings.

Here’s what went down. In early 2024, investigators planted 24 “lost” items with transit workers across subway stations and buses. Months later, only one—yes, one—ever made it back to the Lost Property Unit. (And that was a keychain with an email address practically screaming “return me.”) The rest? Gone. Vanished. Possibly in the wild, possibly in someone’s junk drawer.

The inspector general’s office didn’t mince words, warning that employees may be discarding—or even keeping—passengers’ lost property. Ouch. Things weren’t much better on the Long Island Rail Road, where only 47-percent of test items resurfaced.

That’s alarming when you consider the scale: In 2023, the MTA’s Lost Property Unit logged more than 68,000 items, while straphangers filed over 31,500 claims trying to get their stuff back. The process is so clunky that even when items do show up, matching them with claims can take weeks.

The MTA insists it’s tightening up protocols with better tracking, improved storage and clearer record-keeping. But for riders, it’s pretty clear that if you lose something, assume the odds are stacked against you.

So what should you do if your MetroCard slips out of your pocket or you leave your laptop on the F? 

First, check the scene of the crime—station booth agents sometimes hang on to small items and bus depots can stash whatever gets left behind. Staten Island Railway riders should start their search at St. George Terminal. 

If luck isn’t on your side, the next step is filing a claim online or by calling 511. Be as specific as possible: “blue umbrella with a chipped handle” stands a better chance of being found than just “umbrella.” If your item turns up, the MTA will contact you and you’ll need to prove it’s yours with ID and a lost property receipt before you can reclaim it.

But patience is key. You’ll get automated updates at five, 10 and 21 days, and if nothing turns up, a final notice at day 30. Items that do make it to the Lost Property Unit are held for anywhere from three months to three years, after which they’re auctioned off or tossed.

Bottom line? Keep your belongings close—and maybe don’t bring anything you’re not willing to say goodbye to on your commute.