Finding money in Qantas terminal...what happens to it?

[The Rok]

If I found a couple of thousand dollars in a dark drug infested lane way I might be tempted to splash out on something, but if I found it in an airport terminal it would suggest to me that someone is off on a family holiday and has lost all their spending money.

People who carry that much cash are usually one of two things:

1. Up to something illegal and don't want to be traced

or

2. Of such a financial standing that credit cards are alien to them, i.e they might not even have a credit card.

I think in this case it is more likely to be option 2. I would follow this one up throughly with the POLICE and Qantas as it may very well ruin a holiday for a family. I would make a report to the police and ask them to look into it to ensure that the person who rightly owns this money finally gets it returned to them.

We could be talking about a couple with 3 young kids and no credit card have just flown to a holiday hot spot for their first holiday in 5 years only to land and realise that they have absolutely no money at all.

I would not let this one go my friend.

 

[Major]

I would think that each checkpoint would have a security camera recording all movements. If you have the time and other details of this incident it should be relatively easy to trace back and maybe locate the owner.
The camera may also have recorded your kind samaritan act, for further action

 

[blackcat20]

I think in this case it is more likely to be option 2. I would follow this one up throughly with the POLICE and Qantas as it may very well ruin a holiday for a family. I would make a report to the police and ask them to look into it to ensure that the person who rightly owns this money finally gets it returned to them.

I would not let this one go my friend.

The amount was between $100 and $200, so probably not criminal, and hopefully not enough to ruin a holiday. The bills were folded so Id say it probably fell out of a pocket or money clip as someone was preparing to go through security.

I would think that each checkpoint would have a security camera recording all movements. If you have the time and other details of this incident it should be relatively easy to trace back and maybe locate the owner.
The camera may also have recorded your kind samaritan act, for further action

I rang the number that markis10 listed and the guy there wasnt very helpful either. He didn't know the official answer either, but said he assumed it would be donated to Unicef if unclaimed, and that the cameras as security could be used to confirm the owner if they did ring up to say they'd lost the money. So yes, I'm sure there is footage of me picking up and then handing in the money. I was also travelling with someone who could confirm all the details.

He also questioned why I gave it to security rather than the police if I had hoped to claim it; I explained that I really wasn't given the option once security were aware of the money. Then he asked me why I was wasting my time chasing this up and didn't I have better things to do! I made it clear that I wanted to be sure the money was being dealt with properly rather than just being pocketed for QF's profit. He wrapped up the call with "I've got work to do".....

I've emailed Customer Care so hopefully they have something more positive to add...

 

[samh004]

People who carry that much cash are usually one of two things:

1. Up to something illegal and don't want to be traced

or

2. Of such a financial standing that credit cards are alien to them, i.e they might not even have a credit card.

While the figure has been downsized from what you thought it was, when my parents get to Australia they usually find the nearest ATM and withdraw around $500, and they have plenty of CC’s, they just don’t want to pay the exchange rates I guess. They’re also not up to anything illegal!

 

[Justinf]

I am not sure on what happens, but I wanted to say good on you for handing it in. A lot, and I mean a LOT, of people would not have been so honest.
Hopefully some good karma follows.

 

[blackcat20]

Hopefully some good karma follows.

I hope so too! The last year or so has been pretty coughpy so I could do with a bit of good luck

 

[AVC]

First time Ive ever travelled out of sydney on QF so I wouldnt have had a clue where to find the police.

Last time I was there (the airport police)(I was on official business!) the "station" was down some side corridoor. Not exactly easy to find. Prolly designed that way.

Not impressed by the lack of compassion by the various people you spoke to though. Could have been some young kid's life savings. "I've got work to do" what a cop-out.

 

[blackcat20]

I finally have the official answer from QF. The money is kept for three months to give the owner a chance to find it, then is passed on to charity.

 

[markis10]

I finally have the official answer from QF. The money is kept for three months to give the owner a chance to find it, then is passed on to charity.

Does QF get to claim the donation on Tax? I think this is poor form, it should be returned to the finder as per handing it in to the Police IMHO.

 

[whatmeworry]

In Victoria, somebody found something like 100k under a train platform and handed it in to Police. After an elapsed time passed by (6 months or a year I think) the finder was given the amount found.
I think it is wrong that QF gives it to charity on their behalf. It should at least be on your behalf so you can least claim it back on Tax.

 

[blackcat20]

It should at least be on your behalf so you can least claim it back on Tax.

I'm really not fussed; I don't pay enough tax for it to be much of an issue

At least it doesn't go into a slush fund!