Lady found my wallet. Should I ask her to hurry the hell up and give it back?

In My Humble Opinion
1

OK, I’m being slightly silly. But still, I want her to hurry up already.

Last night I discovered that my wallet wasn’t in my coat jacket after all (that’s where I usually keep it). After searching the house, I decided it must be in my car. As I approached the car, I saw a note on the windshield. It read, “I found your wallet on the ground. Give me a call at blah blah blah.”

Dayum. It was almost seven o’clock at night and all I had eaten all day was a piece of bread for breakfast. I was feeling light-headed and needed food…but without my wallet I was screwed (all I have in the house is some crackers and apple sauce). So I called the number. A lady picked up and said, yeah, she had my wallet. But she lived on the other side of town. She’d be able to drop it off today, though. She’d give me a call when she was on her way.

OK, fine. After a desperate search all throughout my apartment, I cobbled up enough cash to buy some fast food. In my mind, I thought about what today would be like. I would wake up early in anticipation of her call, clean up, work on some crafts, and perhaps around noontime, I’d have my wallet back in time to go grocery shopping. No problem.

But the woman hasn’t called yet. It’s not dark yet, but in an hour it will be. I have my driver’s license in my wallet–which I would need to have if I use a check at the grocery store. Plus, I’ve got my ATM card, insurance card, Subway gift certificate card :), and the lady said some money was even in there (which I don’t remember putting in there, but OK.)

At one point should I summon up the courage and call her again about my wallet? I don’t want to appear pushy or interupt her Sunday schedule, but…well…I want my wallet back so I can eat tonight. And buy kitty litter. And just have peace of mind.

(I still don’t know know why she didn’t just knock on my door when she found it. My car was parked right in front of my apartment (and my driver’s license would have helped her out even more). I was there the whole night. At least she could have slid it in my mail slot. Oh well. I’m just grateful she found it.)

2

Call her.

3

It’s a trap. Send a henchman in.

4

Maybe I should drive over to her place and get it? Maybe she doesn’t feel like driving back over here. And it is my wallet. She shouldn’t I have to burn gas on my account.

I feel so stupid.

I’ll call her right now.

5

Either she’s an airhead or a scammer. I’d suggest have someone with you when you meet her.

I’d call her now. My next call, when I was convinced I wouldn’t be seeing her and/or my wallet again, or within a reasonable timeframe, would be to the police.

6

I find it odd that she didn’t bring it to your apartment, yet she knew which car was yours. If I were in your shoes the next call would be “Hey, I’m out and about with a friend, why don’t you just give me your address and I’ll swing by and grab it.” If the answer is anything other then an un-hesitated “Ok” my next line would be “nevermind, just keep it, before I saw your note I had already canceled all the cards and reported it to the police as stolen.” Then cancel all your cards and then telling them you already called the cops a few days ago should keep any trouble at bay. Of course, she could just be lazy or busy, you’re the one that’s been on the phone with her, what do you think?

Also, think long and hard about the money. Is there any chance at all there was money in it? If you aer 100% sure there was no money in it (as in, you never, ever, keep money in there to begin with), I’d stay away, that sounds like someone trying to lure you in. If you think it’s possible, then nevermind.

7

I’d cancel the cards in it straight away. I’ve heard of cases where a wallet was lost (or maybe stolen, I don’t remember) and the person who had it kept reassuring the rightful owner that they would return it Real Soon Now - the owner, thus assured, didn’t cancel the cards - making it possible for the finder/thief to continue spending against them.

8

She could just be, you know, busy. She’s probably just at work or something.

9

But who tries to return a wallet, goes over to the persons house and leaves a note on their car instead of knocking? Unless, Monstro, is it possible that it was at some time that you wouldn’t have been able to hear a knock? TV or Radio up to loud? Vacuuming? Showering?

In the mean time, I’d keep an eye on my online accounts.

10

Keep an eye on the accounts.

If you start getting excuses and delays, CALL THE POLICE. Hell, I’d do it as early as noon on Monday if I hadn’t gotten it back by then. A good deed is one thing, but jerking you around on it is another.

Edit: Do not tell her, or threaten to call the police. You don’t want her throwing it away and claiming she never had it. Just call them and let them show up on her doorstep.

11

Call her and don’t be afraid of being pushy.

She’s not going to keep your wallet, and if she does, you can always give her note and phone number to the police.

I would have called her and said something along the lines of “Hi, Wallet Guy, are you on your way to deliver the wallet?” If the answer is “yes” then great job. No? “Well I need my wallet as fast as possible, do you mind if I drive over to your house and pick it up?”

It doesn’t have to get more complicated than this. You don’t need to explain why you want your wallet back as fast as possible. If she asks, then you can launch into your story - need driver’s license, need subway’s certificate, can’t buy food, blah blah blah…

12

Not to be a jerk at your expense, but you shoulda volunteered to go pick it up last night.

Best wishes, give an update,
hh

13

Keep on eye on your online banking statement(s).

14

She’s not a scammer. Yay.

I called her and at first got her voice mail. Uh-oh. But then she called back and said she’d drive over. Apparently, in Richmond, living across the James River is the same as “living on the other side of town”. Technically it is, but…I thought she meant she lived far far away. It took her ten minutes to get here. And everything was intact.

I felt bad for not having a “reward” for her, so I gave her some of my craftwork. Hope she doesn’t mind that it was kinda dusty. :slight_smile:

Thanks everyone for the words of caution and advice.

15

monstro, I’m glad everything worked out. I was just about to come down and straighten things out gangsta style.

16

Check your card and bank accounts now. As it stands, she’s got all the info she needs, and by leaving a note she has caused you to stall canceling anything.

17

That’s good that it worked out, but I think if it were me I’d still have canceled my cards and just gotten new ones. Also, won’t they let you access your account if you show some form of ID and tell them what happened? When my bag was stolen, I reported my card stolen and accessed my account at the bank that way…

18

Another vote for considering canceling the cards even though you got the wallet back A little bit of inconvenience is worth the peace of mind.

19

I’d not cancel any of the cards. You’re protected for fraud. I don’t know your circumstances, but any time an account number changes for me, it’s a royal PITA. If you don’t have to change account numbers, then that’s better. If there’s fraud, then you’re protected, and you change account numbers.

20

Even if you don’t want to replace the credit cards, would there by any sense in notifying your bank of the possibility that your credit information is compromised? Maybe let them keep an eye out for any suspicious activity they might normally be less concerned about.