Q: If I find a credit card or ring of keys, what should I do with them?

A: If you do not recognize the name on the card, you should publicize that you found a credit card, and require that the claimant identify himself by name. Alternatively, you can mail the card to the company’s address listed on the card.

If time passed since the card was lost, so that the owner certainly canceled the card, you can destroy it and dispose of it (see Shulchan Aruch Harav, Metzia #30; C.M. 262:1; Sema 261:2).

If you find a ring of keys, you should publicize it, and the number of keys or an identifiable key ring serves as a siman.

If the key is a loose one, if the person can show an identical key, that serves as a siman. It is also possible to give him the key to check if it fits his door; if not, he should return it to you.

If a long time passes and no one comes to claim the key, so that the owner likely changed the lock, some authorities allow you to dispose of the key (C.M. 262:3, 16; Hashavas Aveidah K’halachah 12:14-15).