# Found "private" SD card... how to return it? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 24, 2013, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-private-sd-card-how-to-return-it/648184 "2013-01-24T04:03:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2013, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-private-sd-card-how-to-return-it/648184/41 "2013-01-28T02:32:39Z")
> [@Danja](#): > > I disagree with **astro** ’s conclusion that I’m reaching for excuses to contact the person. In fact, I would really like it if he/she didn’t contact me so that I could destroy the card guilt-free. However, I know that would be in a bad state if I lost a similar item and would appreciate someone letting me know that they had destroyed it (or if they returned it to me). It would give me at least some degree of closure and peace. But I’m very wary of potential stalking/revenge/etc, so I would much prefer if the person just didn’t show. If I found the SD card, I probably would have just tossed it right from the beginning. But if you really want to let them know, after you destroy it you could amend the sign by tearing off your email address and writing “For your peace of mind I destroyed the card”. It’s all you can do. Also, if you do end up giving it back to them (and that’s pretty unlikely), don’t say “BTW, I didn’t look at anything on it”. IMO, that’s the same as saying “I saw the nudie pix!!!”. If it was just normal family photos, would you tell them you didn’t look at it? No, you would just hand it back to them, they’d say thanks and that would be it. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2013, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-private-sd-card-how-to-return-it/648184/42 "2013-01-28T03:58:01Z")
> [@Danja](#): > > My girlfriend was doing laundry today at the shared apartment laundry complex and found a microSD card in front of the dryer she was using. Thinking it had fallen out of my pants (I’m both a techie and forgetful, so the assumption was valid), she brought it to me. I have a few microSDs floating around and while I haven’t noticed any going missing I didn’t think it was outside the realm of possibility, so I loaded it onto my computer. > > The card looked like it came from a phone like my Android. To confirm, I went to the DCIM folder and found, to my surprise, loads of naked pictures of a lady who presumably resides in our complex. I’d like to know what the best way of returning the card is. The way I see it, I have the following options: > > 1. Put it back where it was (my least favorite; someone less scrupulous than me may find it and possibly upload the pictures online or otherwise distribute them). > > 2. Put up a sign saying I found a microSD card, along with my email. I don’t like this option either because the eventual result would be an uncomfortable encounter with the owner, and possible subsequent unpleasantness. > > 3. Destroy the data on the card and then follow option 1 or 2. I’m iffy about this one as well because there may be other important data on the phone. > > How would you handle this situation? I’d turn it in at the management office, with an explanation of the circumstances, and post a note that you found the card, which can be claimed at the office. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2013, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-private-sd-card-how-to-return-it/648184/43 "2013-01-28T06:32:30Z")
Anyone who takes nude pics of themselves has to be aware that somebody, at some point, who is not the intended recipient, will see them, even if accidentally. Embarrassing maybe, but not a big deal in the overall scheme of things if she’s the kind of person who would take the pics in the first place. Preemptively, this is not to say I endorse the public dissemination of such things (without the permission of all involved), but I can’t see why anyone would have pics taken of themselves and then not expect anyone to subsequently see them. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2013, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-private-sd-card-how-to-return-it/648184/44 "2013-01-28T11:46:56Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > I’d turn it in at the management office Thus increasing the likelyhood the pics wind up online 500%. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2013, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-private-sd-card-how-to-return-it/648184/45 "2013-01-28T13:36:41Z")
I am amazed that people are so worried about the interactions with the card owners. I would post that I found a card, please identify the size and brand for return. No one ever has to know that you looked at the contents, nor are they likely to care. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2013, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-private-sd-card-how-to-return-it/648184/46 "2013-01-28T14:39:46Z")
Is it obvious that the person in the photos knows that she is being photographed? Is it blaringly, unmistakably obvious that she is over the age of 18? I f the answer to either of these is “no” you need to turn it in to the police. In fact, that’s pretty much my advice any way. In fact, I advise your girlfriend to do it, as she’s the one who found it. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2013, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-private-sd-card-how-to-return-it/648184/47 "2013-01-30T13:38:11Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Also, if you do end up giving it back to them (and that’s pretty unlikely), don’t say “BTW, I didn’t look at anything on it”. IMO, that’s the same as saying “I saw the nudie pix!!!”. If it was just normal family photos, would you tell them you didn’t look at it? No, you would just hand it back to them, they’d say thanks and that would be it. I was thinking of something a little more subtle, like “Thank goodness you saw the sign. I wasn’t sure if it would be noticed and I was going to pick up a microSD reader on Friday to see if there was anything on the card that would help find the owner.” ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2013, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-private-sd-card-how-to-return-it/648184/48 "2013-01-30T13:47:51Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > If I found the SD card, I probably would have just tossed it right from the beginning. But if you really want to let them know, after you destroy it you could amend the sign by tearing off your email address and writing “For your peace of mind I destroyed the card”. It’s all you can do. > > Also, if you do end up giving it back to them (and that’s pretty unlikely), don’t say “BTW, I didn’t look at anything on it”. IMO, that’s the same as saying “I saw the nudie pix!!!”. If it was just normal family photos, would you tell them you didn’t look at it? No, you would just hand it back to them, they’d say thanks and that would be it. I agree. Maybe I’m just a paranoid mofo, but all the posts about mentioning you didn’t look at the contents says to me, shit, you looked at the contents. ---
**Author:** ![Danja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@Danja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danja)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2013, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-private-sd-card-how-to-return-it/648184/49 "2013-01-30T22:35:35Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > Is it obvious that the person in the photos knows that she is being photographed? Is it blaringly, unmistakably obvious that she is over the age of 18? I f the answer to either of these is “no” you need to turn it in to the police. In fact, that’s pretty much my advice any way. > > In fact, I advise your girlfriend to do it, as she’s the one who found it. The person is clearly in her late 20s at the _very_ youngest. I suspect early to mid thirties. She is definitely not a minor. Also, all of the pictures appear to be self-portraits so I have no reason to suspect any exploitation. Does anyone else think this is a police matter? It has been a week and I haven’t received any emails so I was planning to format the card. Is this something worth going to the police over? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2013, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-private-sd-card-how-to-return-it/648184/50 "2013-01-30T22:39:40Z")
> [@Danja](#): > > The person is clearly in her late 20s at the _very_ youngest. I suspect early to mid thirties. She is definitely not a minor. Also, all of the pictures appear to be self-portraits so I have no reason to suspect any exploitation. > > Does anyone else think this is a police matter? It has been a week and I haven’t received any emails so I was planning to format the card. Is this something worth going to the police over? What’s the rationale behind going to the police? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2013, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-private-sd-card-how-to-return-it/648184/51 "2013-01-30T23:10:19Z")
> [@Danja](#): > > Does anyone else think this is a police matter? It has been a week and I haven’t received any emails so I was planning to format the card. Is this something worth going to the police over? No, for the love of god, don’t call the police. I don’t know what you think that’s going to do. Honestly, at this point, that’s sounds like you’re _trying_ to create drama. Well, trying more then you were before. Do you want to keep the SD card and have the police forward the contact info to you if someone contacts them about it? Guess what. No one is going to call the police to tell them they lost an SD card full of naked selfies. Pull the sign down, throw out the card and move on with your life. You’ve put far too much energy into this project to begin with. As soon as you found the nude pictures you should have said “no one is going to claim this” and thrown it out then. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2013, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-private-sd-card-how-to-return-it/648184/52 "2013-01-30T23:10:54Z")
> [@Danja](#): > > Is this something worth going to the police over? It’s a lost SD card, what possible reason would you have to go to the police? ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-private-sd-card-how-to-return-it/648184/53 "2013-01-31T00:02:06Z")
> [@Danja](#): > > Does anyone else think this is a police matter? It has been a week and I haven’t received any emails so I was planning to format the card. Is this something worth going to the police over? I wouldn’t go to the police about this. God NO! The images on the card may be blackmail shots of the mistress of an up-and-coming Senator. A Senator who is planning his run for the Presidency. A Senator who has a shadowy military background and is prepared to do _anything_ to achieve his objective. I’d mail it to a small-town lawyer in Nebraska with the instructions “Post it to every damned newspaper in the country if I don’t contact you by the next Republican primary”, and then I’d head for Mexico. Good luck, Danja. You’ll need it. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-private-sd-card-how-to-return-it/648184/54 "2013-01-31T00:09:10Z")
Or just dump the stupid thing down a drain. ---
**Author:** ![Danja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@Danja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danja)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-private-sd-card-how-to-return-it/648184/55 "2013-01-31T00:15:49Z")
Whoa, we have some snippy people on the boards this afternoon. Sheesh. As I stated in the previous post, I was planning to destroy the data on the card. However, **TruCelt** suggested going to the police so I wanted to know if there was any reasonable rationale for doing so, because I didn’t see any. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-private-sd-card-how-to-return-it/648184/56 "2013-01-31T00:50:42Z")
> [@Danja](#): > > The person is clearly in her late 20s at the _very_ youngest. I suspect early to mid thirties. She is definitely not a minor. Also, all of the pictures appear to be self-portraits so I have no reason to suspect any exploitation. > > Does anyone else think this is a police matter? It has been a week and I haven’t received any emails so I was planning to format the card. Is this something worth going to the police over? Don’t stop there. Call the FBI and the fire department too. CIA might also need to be in the loop. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-private-sd-card-how-to-return-it/648184/57 "2013-01-31T00:56:06Z")
> [@astro](#): > > Don’t stop there. Call the FBI and the fire department too. CIA might also need to be in the loop. Craigslist and Anonymous would probably find the rightful owner the fastest. ---
**Author:** ![jacobsta811](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jacobsta811/32/2893_2.png) [@jacobsta811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacobsta811)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-private-sd-card-how-to-return-it/648184/58 "2013-01-31T01:46:08Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Craigslist and Anonymous would probably find the rightful owner the fastest. Thumbs up. I guarantee that if you post the pictures on 4chan someone will helpfully put them on her facebook page by the end of the day 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-private-sd-card-how-to-return-it/648184/59 "2013-01-31T02:22:16Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > Is it obvious that the person in the photos knows that she is being photographed? Is it blaringly, unmistakably obvious that she is over the age of 18? I f the answer to either of these is “no” you need to turn it in to the police. In fact, that’s pretty much my advice any way. And yet again, the meddling attitude found on this board is astonishing. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-private-sd-card-how-to-return-it/648184/60 "2013-01-31T02:37:40Z")
> [@Blackberry](#): > > And yet again, the meddling attitude found on this board is astonishing. I like to call it “The land of no middle ground”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-private-sd-card-how-to-return-it/648184.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-private-sd-card-how-to-return-it/648184.md?page=4)