Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about TraceVault. Can't find what you're looking for? Join our community and ask!
TraceVault is a free, community-driven lost and found platform that helps people report lost items, browse found listings, and reconnect with their belongings. We're built on transparency, trust, and the belief that most people want to do the right thing.
Sign up for a free account, on the home page fill out the form with details like item description, and upload a photo. The more details you provide, the easier it is for someone who owns it to identify it.
Browse our 'Explore' page to search found items. When you find your item, click 'Claim' and provide verification details that prove it's yours (e.g., description, photos). The person who found it will be notified and can arrange a safe return.
Yes! TraceVault is completely free with no hidden fees, subscriptions, or paywalls. We believe reuniting people with their belongings shouldn't cost anything. It's free today, free tomorrow, free forever.
Once you submit a claim, we notify the person who reported the found item. They can review your claim and contact you directly through email to arrange a safe pickup or return.
You can report any lost or found personal belongings: phones, wallets, keys, bags, laptops, jewelry, clothing, ID cards, electronics, and more. If it's valuable to you, it belongs on TraceVault.
We take privacy seriously. Your personal contact information is never displayed publicly. Only verified claims are shared with the relevant parties, and you control what information you share. We use secure authentication and never sell your data.
Yes! If you've recovered your item or no longer need the listing, you can mark it as 'claimed' or delete it entirely.
Absolutely! TraceVault is built as an open-source project. Anyone can view our code, contribute improvements, report bugs, or fork the project for their own needs. We believe in transparency and community-driven development.
We welcome contributions! You can star our GitHub repository, submit pull requests, report issues, improve documentation, or share TraceVault with your community. Developers, designers, and users—everyone can make an impact.
Join our WhatsApp community to connect with other users, get support, share feedback, and be the first to hear about new features. Check our Community page for the invite link. We also have a GitHub Discussions for technical conversations.
Always verify claims before returning an item. Ask for proof of ownership like photos, receipts, or unique identifying details. If a claim seems suspicious, trust your instincts and reject the claim request. Safety first!
Yes! TraceVault is perfect for universities, schools, offices, apartment complexes, and communities. Since it's open source, you can even customize it for your specific needs. Contact us if you need help setting it up.
Join our WhatsApp community, follow us on Twitter/X, star our GitHub repo, or check back here regularly. We post updates about new features, improvements, and community news on all these channels.