Latest news with #Lost&FoundIndex
IOL News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
From lip gloss to luggage: Uber's lost and found index reveals the quirky things South Africans accidentally misplaced
Uber's logo is seen on a smartphone. Whether it's a forgotten pie on the way to a braai or a passport dropped en route to the airport, South Africans are proving that we're not only resourceful and resilient, but also hilariously human. Uber South Africa's recently released Lost & Found Index offers a glimpse into what happens when a little rush, a little chaos, and a whole lot of South African spirit collide in the backseat of a ride. South Africans are always on the move – sometimes so quickly that we leave behind everything from wallets to wigs, wedding veils and water bottles. SA's Most Forgotten Items Phones & Cameras top the list of the most forgotten items left in an Uber. And they're not alone. Here's what else South Africans said an accidental goodbye to: Keys – Because nothing says 'I've had a day' like standing outside your gate, whispering, 'I swear they were in my bag.' Backpacks/Bags/Luggage – When your entire week disappears with your gym kit, your laptop, and your leftover Woolies lunch. Wallets/Purses – Whether you were heading to the club or the carwash, losing your wallet is a surefire way to test your faith in tap-to-pay. Glasses – Ironic how we couldn't see this one coming. Headphones/Speakers – One minute you're vibing to Amapiano, the next you're asking your driver if they've seen your beats. Clothing – From scarves to shirts to that 'borrowed' hoodie you never returned, fashion has its own farewell tour. Passports – Proof that even seasoned travellers can get caught slipping. We just hope it wasn't en route to the airport. Vapes/E-cigs – We're not judging—but we are picturing the panicked pat-down in the Uber seat. Water Bottles/Thermoses – Hydration is key… unless you forget your flask while trying to save the planet. The Most Left-Behind Leftovers Food, it turns out, is another frequent victim of forgetfulness. From grocery bags abandoned during midweek dinner dashes to carefully boxed slices of cake left behind after family gatherings, South Africans are nothing if not optimistic about second servings. We don't just eat with love, we forget with love too. Whether it was meant to be a midnight snack, office lunch, or gran's lovingly packed leftovers, these tasty treats were left to ride solo: Groceries – Someone's dinner plans took a detour. Pie – Probably that one famous bakery pie you queued 40 minutes for. Ouch. Tea – A very South African tragedy: the rooibos never made it home. Cake – Somewhere out there, a birthday ended with candles but no crumbs. Oats – To the meal preppers: we admire your effort. Even if your overnight oats got a little too far ahead of you. When the Drip Doesn't Make the Trip South Africans also have a flair for misplacing the fabulous. From glam squads on-the-go to brides-to-be stuck in pre-wedding chaos, South Africans are clearly doing the most—even if our beauty bags aren't keeping up. Lip gloss, lipstick, lip balm – South Africans clearly believe moisturised lips are non-negotiable (even if we forget them regularly). Hair straightener – That sleek 'just-flat-ironed' look? Left behind faster than your morning coffee. Wedding flowers, heels, veils, suits – Whether it was pre-wedding nerves, a wardrobe change, or a runaway groomsman—we'll never know. But hey, love is patient… and so are Uber drivers. Toys, Tunes and Team Sports We move with rhythm, passion, and a little chaos. Whether you were off to rehearsal, a rugby match, or the school run, these beloved items just didn't make it to the final whistle: Musical instruments (keyboard, guitar, violin, cello, drums) – Somewhere, a budding band is missing its beat. Sports gear (gloves, golf clubs, ski gear, yoga mats, helmets) – Whether you're hitting the greens, slopes or savasana, don't forget your gear next time, champ. Toys (bikes, scooters, dolls) – Every parent knows: lose the Barbie, brace for impact. Uniquely South African moments And then, there are the items that can only make sense in Mzansi. Whether it's our energy solutions or just our vibrant chaos, these forgotten gems tell our real story: Portable inverter – When even your power backup needs backup. Air fryer – South Africans are taking kitchen convenience everywhere—except home. Pink stethoscope – Paging Dr. Forgetful… your rounds were cut short. Blinds – We don't know how. We don't know why. But we respect the mystery. Tent – That weekend getaway? Cancelled. Baby's pram – Hopefully it was just the wheels and not the precious cargo. Graduation gown – Imagine the drama of arriving in a cap and jeans. Their own number plate – Honestly? We love the commitment to being one with the ride. It's giving 'I am the car now.' If you've left something behind in an Uber, the easiest way to get it back is to contact your driver through the app: Open the Uber app Tap 'Account' Tap 'Trips' Select the relevant ride Tap 'Find Lost Item' Tap 'I need to contact my driver' Enter your number Tap 'Call' The app connects you directly to the driver, but if you can't reach them, the app lets you report the item and the Uber team will step in, usually within 24 hours. Forgot your phone in the car? You can use a friend's Uber app, or head to to log the lost item and request contact.
USA Today
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Ozempic, divorce papers, live animals: What Uber riders lost in cars last year
Ozempic, divorce papers, live animals: What Uber riders lost in cars last year Ever left something behind in an Uber? Bet none of them were as wild as some of the things in Uber's ninth annual "Uber Lost & Found" report. Ozempic, a chainsaw, divorce papers and a live turtle were among the unique things people have left behind in Ubers across the country, according to the ride sharing platform's report, released this week. "As Mercury finally comes out of retrograde, which astrologists say impacts forgetfulness, we're back yearly snapshot of the most commonly forgotten and most unique items left behind in Ubers," Uber said in its report. While Shrek ears, sticky boobs, 175 burgers and live rabbits were among the bizarre things people left behind in Ubers in the last 12 months, the top three most commonly left behind items were unsurprisingly phones, keys, and wallets, with 1.7 million riders accidentally leaving their phones behind last year. New York topped the list of most forgetful cities, with Miami and Chicago following closely behind. "Lost & Found Index celebrates the most unique and commonly forgotten items," Uber's VP of Operations Camiel Irving said in a statement. "From wayward mannequin heads to live lobsters, Uber riders have left behind some truly unforgettable items this year," Irving said. Uber Lost & Found Index 2025 Here are 50 of the most unique items left behind in Uber rides, according to the report: Mannequin head with human hair Viking drinking horn "Ghostbusters" ghost trap Chainsaw Breast milk Fine china My turtle Urinal Club promoter sign reading "Annie's married" Sticky boob bra Aviation headset Shrek ears Bermuda shorts A pink fan that has two hearts and the word "bimbo" DNA testing kit Pickleball paddles and ball 2 mattresses 15 hookahs Amethyst crystal Aquarium Witches broom Unicycle 100 DVD's Bouquet of 100 red roses Sea moss Traffic cone A very large portrait of myself in a brown box Yankees bobble head figure Plunger A photograph of me and my friend at Benihana Little cactus Peacock feather Lady Liberty crown Hoverboard and a mini fridge "Harry Potter" wand Sewing machine Orthopedic foot insoles Boiled eggs and a candle Divorce papers Ozempic Remy the rat doll Blue laminated paper with yellow smiley face Cornish hens A placard that says "it's a Philly thing" Fake blood 10 live lobsters Taxidermied rabbit Chicken sculpture Hannah Montana merchandise DJ mixing board Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle Uber ranks the 10 most 'forgetful' cities Cities which had the maximum number of lost items, in chronological order, according to the report, include: New York City Miami Chicago Los Angeles Washington, D.C. San Francisco Boston Newark, New Jersey Dallas Houston 2025 Uber Lost & Found trends Among the most commonly forget items were phones, wallets, keys, luggage, headphones, glasses, clothing, passports, vapes and water bottles. Red remained "the most lost color with over 8,000+ red items lost this year," Uber said, while Apple "took the crown as the most lost brand in Uber rides" this year. "Whether you're looking for your favorite red cardigan or cherry red lip gloss, maybe start your search in the Uber Lost & Found," Uber said. Other interesting items left behind included: Legal documents such as proof of residency, court summons and divorce papers Alcohol bottles and beer cans Vinyls 70+ Nintendo Switches Philadelphia Eagles merchandise, such as jerseys and foam fingers Workout accessories, like yoga mats and Pilates socks Disney merchandise, like Minnie ears and Simba stuffed animals Dental products, like gold teeth, Invisalign and even full sets of dentures While the Saturday of Halloweekend, Oct. 26, was the day the most items were lost, lost items were also on the rise during Mercury's retrograde in April 2024, with over 7,000 rides with lost items reported on April 5 alone, according to Uber. The most popular hours of the day lost items were reported were 11 p.m. and midnight. "From phones to wallets, it seems the later the night, the looser the grip," Uber said. See the full list of lost products here. What to do if you leave something in an Uber In case you forget something in your ride, Uber recommends following the below listed steps to retrieve a lost item: Open the Uber app and tap "Activity" on the bottom icon menu. Select the trip on which you lost the item. Scroll down to "Find lost item" in the Help section, and then select "Contact driver about a lost item." Select the item you lost from the options listed and where the item might be in the vehicle. Enter your phone number to call the driver. If your driver picks up and confirms that your item has been found, coordinate a mutually convenient time and place to meet for its return to you. If your driver doesn't pick up, leave a detailed voicemail describing your item and the best way to contact you. Forgot your registered phone? Sign in to to get help. Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Uber's lost and found items include live turtle, chainsaw
April 8 (UPI) -- Uber released its annual "Lost & Found Index," an accounting of items left behind in ride-share cars including a mannequin head with human hair, a live turtle and a 5-gallon bucket of beans. The 2025 Uber Lost & Found Index, released Tuesday, also revealed the most commonly left-behind items were phones, keys and wallets, with New York City being named "the most forgetful city." Some of the most "unique" items cited by Uber included a mannequin head with human hair, a chainsaw, a Ghostbusters ghost trap, fresh breast milk, a live pet turtle, a urinal, a set of Shrek ears, 15 hookahs, a bouquet of 100 red roses, Ozempic, 10 live lobsters, a Viking drinking horn, a taxidermied rabbit and a passenger's divorce papers. The food-related items on the index included a 5-gallon bucket of beans, 175 hamburger sliders, 108 eggs, 24 cans of corn and a "bucket" of feta cheese. "From wayward mannequin heads to live lobsters, Uber riders have left behind some truly unforgettable items this year," said Camiel Irving, vice president of operations at Uber. "Whether essential or totally unusual, we understand how important it is to be reunited with your lost belongings." "The Uber Lost & Found Index celebrates the most unique and commonly forgotten items, while reminding riders that getting support to retrieve their prized possessions is simple through the Uber app," Irving said.
