Lost and Found

Behind every great hotel stay is a team of dedicated professionals whose work often goes unseen. This National Hotel Employee Day, we’re celebrating the front desk associates, housekeepers, engineers, security teams, and lost and found staff who create exceptional guest experiences every day. We also recognize the important role they play in protecting guest privacy through the responsible handling of unclaimed electronic devices.

Auctions can be an effective way to dispose of many types of unclaimed property, but electronics are a different story. Cell phones, tablets, laptops, and smart devices contain sensitive personal data, depreciate quickly, and often generate far less revenue than organizations expect. Before sending your unclaimed electronics to auction, consider the hidden costs, potential risks, and why a secure donation program may provide greater value for your organization, your customers, and your community.

Selling unclaimed devices can look like a conflict of interest and damage guest trust. Learn a safer option with verified data erasure and donation.

Sustainability is top of mind for today’s travelers. More than 80% say it influences their hotel choice. One often-overlooked area where hotels can advance sustainability while reducing risk is in how they manage unclaimed items in lost and found, especially electronic devices…

Many organizations are looking for meaningful ways to give back to their communities. Whether you’re planning a year-end employee initiative, a customer-facing outreach effort, or simply want to make a local impact—here’s an idea that’s simple, powerful, and life-saving.

A recent study revealed that a staggering number of phones sold at online auctions still contain sensitive data. This highlights a hard truth: If devices aren’t securely and professionally wiped, your agency/company could be liable for breaches of privacy, data theft, extortion, or worse. This article addresses the best way to handle these devices without putting the public—or the agency/company—at risk.

What happens to the phones left behind in hotels, airports, or public venues? At 911 Cell Phone Bank, they’re transformed into lifelines for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. Our latest press release shares how we’re working with organizations nationwide to turn forgotten tech into frontline support.

Hotels across Florida are finding themselves in a legal and logistical dilemma when it comes to handling unclaimed items left behind by guests. Thanks to Florida Statute 705.185, which outlines strict requirements for disposing of lost and abandoned property, hotel operators must now navigate a maze of compliance, liability, and ethical responsibility.

What happens to your unclaimed lost and found items matters. Instead of selling them for minor profit, more organizations are choosing to donate—protecting their reputation, simplifying compliance, and making a real impact in the lives of others. Here’s why donating unclaimed property is the smarter, more socially responsible choice.

Over the past 20 years, we’ve worked with law enforcement agencies, victim service organizations, and countless businesses across the country to collect, wipe, and repurpose unused phones and electronic devices. Here are 6 powerful lessons we’ve learned—delivered in 5 minutes or less.

A smartphone walks into a lost and found and mutters, “Last thing I remember was falling between the hotel bed and the nightstand.” If lost phones could talk, oh, the stories they’d tell…

As businesses strive to meet Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, many overlook a crucial opportunity: sustainable technology disposal. Properly managing electronic waste (e-waste) is not just about environmental responsibility—it’s also a chance to create positive social impact and strengthen governance practices. Here’s how to identify gaps and take action.

If your business is holding onto unclaimed devices without a proper disposal plan, you’re exposing yourself to data security risks, legal compliance issues, and operational inefficiencies. The key step to successful lost & found management? Implementing a secure and ethical device disposal strategy.

At 911 Cell Phone Bank, we take unclaimed or donated electronic devices and turn them into lifelines for victims in crisis. Today we spotlight our nationwide network of supporters and agencies working together to make a difference. Read on to learn how every donation—from a forgotten phone to an outdated tablet—helps save lives.

Florida Statute 705.185 guides venues on managing unclaimed property, ensuring compliance, and enabling community impact through donations.