February 3, 2005
SMS to find lost or stolen property
Text messaging technology can help find the owners of lost and stolen property, according to an article today in The Register.
"The Possessions Reunited service (from UK firm First Point of Contact) provides users with stickers, key rings and luggage tags (each containing a unique code) that can be easily attached to high value or sentimental items.
If an item is found, or premise vandalised which contains a firstPOC sticker, members of the public can text a six digit code to First Point of contact (firstPOC).
The owner instantly receives a coded text message containing the finder's mobile number, enabling them to make contact and arrange for the goods to be returned."
This reminds me of a service blogged about in October, which claims to help get misplaced or lost items back with a simple label, called StuffBak. They are uniquely numbered labels which attach to portable items that could get lost; like cell phones, cameras or laptop computers. cf Registered Labels Attach To Portable Items
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