The Absolute Strangest Things People Have Left Behind in an Uber
We’ve all been there. You’ve just Ubered home from a work happy hour only to have the driver pull away with your keys left on the seat. It’s a total bummer, but luckily, you’re not alone. Uber just released their 2018 Lost and Found Index which identifies the most popular (craziest) things left behind by passengers in the US. The list is based on both quantity and frequency of missing items and includes everything from the standard wallet to the elusive jetpack (yes, really). If you’re ready to be entertained, keep scrolling below to see all the highlights from the report.
The data shows that Sundays, and the hours between 10pm and 2am, are when where people are usually losing things. The most forgetful cities? DuBois, Pennsylvania; Athens, Georgia; and Stillwater, Oklahoma.
The most common things to be left behind include phones, wallets, and keys. While these items seem like no-brainers, there are certainly other misplaced possessions that seem like head-scratchers. In no particular order, and as reported by passengers, these include things like (and we promise, we didn’t make these up):
1. Gold grills with diamonds
2. Letter from my boyfriend who is in jail
3. Box full of hair extensions
4. Leaf blower
5. My brother
6. Butcher knife
7. Nuggets & large fries
8. College diploma
9. Divorce papers
10. Star Wars Encyclopedia
11. A green Birkenstock right shoe
12. Red cape
13. Ukulele
14. Bulletproof vest
15. Jetpack
As out-there as they sound, Greg Brown, Critical Support Program Leader at Uber comments that these lost proprieties just add to the character of the customers using the platform. “Every year, we see millions of riders from all walks of life ride with Uber, and the items that get left behind reflect that. There are no surprises when it comes to the most commonly forgotten items — phones, wallets, and keys are to be expected. But it’s the more unique items — like a ukulele, or a Star Wars Encyclopedia — that remind us of how truly diverse and delightful our riders are,” he said.
To prevent yourself from having your belongings appear on this list, the rideshare app offers few tips on what to do if you DO leave something behind:
- First, select “Your Trips” in the app.
- Then choose “I lost an item.”
- Hit “Contact driver about a lost item.”
- Enter an appropriate contact number.
- Next, your phone will ring once you’ve been connected with your driver.
- If the driver picks-up, coordinate a pick-up place and time. If not, leave a detailed voicemail.
If you want to see the rest of the missing items report, head on over to Uber’s blog to get the full look. Best of luck!
Have you ever left something important behind? Let us know @BritandCo.
(Photos via Getty)