ICYMI: Uber Confessions—These Are the Weirdest Things California Riders Have Left Behind!
California Uber riders have left behind some seriously bizarre things—don’t miss this year’s wild Lost & Found Index! 🌐 #News #LosAngelesCA #California #WeirdNews
LOS ANGELES, CA — The backseats of Uber vehicles doubled as accidental storage lockers this past year, and the results were nothing short of outrageous. Every year, Uber tallies up what passengers in California (and across the nation) leave behind, and the 2025 edition of its Lost & Found Index brought jaw-dropping entries—like 10 live lobsters, a working urinal, and a stash of Ozempic. The roundup not only reveals what items Americans forgot most frequently, but also which cities were most prone to misplacing them and when forgetfulness tends to strike hardest.
Big Apple, Big Forgetfulness
New York City officially claimed the title of the most forgetful metro area in the U.S., narrowly beating out Miami, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The one day where items were most frequently reported missing was October 26—right in the middle of Halloween festivities. And late-night rides between 11 p.m. and midnight emerged as the prime window for forgetfulness to take hold.
Phones, Wallets… and Court Summons?
While phones, wallets, keys, luggage, and headphones remained the most common casualties of distraction, the data also revealed a growing list of oddly specific losses. Pilates socks, over 70 Nintendo Switch consoles, and even critical legal documents—like divorce papers and court summons—were among the unexpected items drivers found after drop-off.
Tech gadgets were frequently reported missing, with Apple devices topping the list: more than 1.7 million smartphones were left behind, whether iPhones or Androids.
Patterned Forgetfulness by Day of the Week
Certain days revealed distinct patterns in what riders tend to misplace. On Mondays, it was gloves. Tuesdays saw the most jackets left behind. Medicine was often forgotten midweek on Wednesdays, while umbrellas vanished most frequently on Thursdays. Cowboy hats were notably forgotten on Saturdays, and Sundays saw a spike in lost debit cards.
Most Bizarre Finds
Some items defied logic. Riders forgot a mannequin head with real human hair, a Ghostbusters ghost trap, a DNA testing kit, and even a mini fridge. But perhaps most eyebrow-raising was the inclusion of 175 hamburger sliders, a full bucket of feta cheese, and a Viking-style drinking horn.
Losing Something? There’s an App for That
Uber assures riders that retrieving lost items isn’t complicated. Through the app, users can follow step-by-step instructions to reconnect with their driver and, hopefully, their forgotten belongings.
Did You Know?
- Lobsters are surprisingly hardy travelers — They can survive for up to 36 hours out of water if kept cool and moist (Smithsonian Ocean).
- Ozempic, a Type 2 diabetes medication, has seen a surge in use for weight loss, leading to increased demand and occasional shortages (The New York Times).
- The Nintendo Switch has sold over 139 million units globally, making it one of the most popular consoles ever, and frequently misplaced as a result (Statista).
Moment for Reflection
It’s easy to misplace things when life moves fast—but sometimes those moments of forgetfulness bring us face-to-face with our shared humanity. We all carry burdens, distractions, and the weight of busy schedules. Yet in the simple act of trying to recover a lost item, we’re reminded that small acts of kindness—like a driver returning a prized possession—can brighten someone’s day. In a world that often feels hurried, let’s remember to look out for one another, and maybe check the backseat one more time before moving on.
RELATED TOPICS: Family | Humor | Lifestyle | Travel
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