Found one of those gift cards on the pavement

[Speicher]

Today on the pavement I saw what looked like a credit card dropped on the pavement. It turned out to be one of those gift cards that look like a credit card.

I was late to get where I needed to be, but picked it up and intend to find the owner. So far, I have told the owner of the shop closest to where I found it, that I have it, and they have my phone number.

It could have £5 on it, or £50, in which case someone will be looking for it, and trying to think how they will explain its loss, or replace the money, and be upset. So, yes I will go to the shop that issued it, one of the big supermarkets.

But, and this is a big but. How do I find out how much is on the card?
I want to find out how much there is. If there is nothing, then that is the end of that, no worries. But if there is a lot of money on it, whoever claims they lost it, would be able to tell me approximately how much is on it? If I go into the supermarket and say I found it, how will I know that the person who I ask, will return it to the rightful owner? I can see the temptation for someone to just use it themselves.

Should I just buy a small item, and pay for it with the card, and ask them to tell me how much is left? The card says on the back "Lost or stolen cards cannot be replaced". Am I alone in thinking that for some people it would be too much temptation, and they will say, "Oh yes, we will take care of that".

Once I know how much is on the card, I will know how much effort to put into finding the owner. In the same street as where I found it, is the Library and two other shops.

Feel free to tell me I am wasting my time. But I think that with Christmas approaching, I would like to find the rightful owner. Without a name on it tho, what would be your approach?

Helpful suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[jeltz]

Take it to the shop that issued it they will be able to tell you if there is any money on it, if there is treat it as you would do if it were cash and hand it into the police.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

if it's toys r us you can check the content of the card online (but ironically only use it in-store)…

 

[Speicher]

It is a George At Asda card. There is a small Asda here, but no clothing IIRC. There is a 16 digit number on the back of the card.

I am not even sure I know where the nearest Police station is.
We have a sort of "transport" division with lots of cars, but no public counter.

 

[Speicher]

Maggot, I tried that, without success.

 

[Speicher]

Thank you, Maggot, very kind of you to find that for me. Checked the number and it says the card is inactive. Which saves me further faffing about, feeling sorry for someone.

I have lost things in the past, several times , and they have been returned safely, which is why I was concerned about this.

 

[darkstar]

Nice to see you show concern, did anyone see the facebook group a couple of months ago, created by someone who found a camera full of priceless travel pics. The group gained in numbers until someone recognised a face from one of the pictures, got in contact with the guy who created the group. He posted it off and all were happy! As they said it wasn't the camera that was important, but the pictures

 

[Aperitif]

You're a good heart Speicher.
The devil in me says that it is a subtle marketing ploy to distribute such cards - 'lost' on the floor or at café tables etc - in the hope that the 'worry/search/anticipation/relief' might encourage people to buy such plastics for gift purposes.

Mean of me to think that eh?

 

[Crankarm]

It could have been a slob litter lout who couldn't be bothered to waddle to a near by bin having used it in store so chucked it on the pavement . You say it was an Asda George card, unlikely to have had a high value on it.

 

[lady_rider]

If it's on the floor, I reckon it's been used and there's nothing left on it. But just take it to the shop, they can swipe it and find out. I found an M&S one on the floor a few months back It had 73p left on it, so I used it

 

[Speicher]

Thanks to Maggot, I was able to check the amount left on it, and the card is inactive. As mentionned before, I have lost things in the past, and people have gone to efforts to return my property to me.

If it had a small amount left,(a pound or two) I would have spent it, but wanted to be sure there was not a large amount on it, spoiling someone's Christmas. Quite how I would have identified the rightful owner would be another matter altogether.

 

[Aperitif]

Thanks to Maggot, I was able to check the amount left on it, and the card is inactive. As mentionned before, I have lost things in the past, and people have gone to efforts to return my property to me.

If it had a small amount left,(a pound or two) I would have spent it, but wanted to be sure there was not a large amount on it, spoiling someone's Christmas. Quite how I would have identified the rightful owner would be another matter altogether.

A Co-op of a wise brain and a Lidl bit of common sense would have helped you checkout the options,Speicher. Add up aldi information and there asda be the answer...somewhere.

 

[Speicher]

Aisle try that

 

[Dan B]

Buy george, he's got it. Spending it all yourself would be a rather selfridge approach

 

[Crankarm]

Every little helps ................... .