Q: I found money. Must I publicize it? If so, can I use it until it is claimed?

A: An individual bill or scattered money is generally considered a lost item without a siman, and you may keep it. Even if there is a name written on the bill, it does not serve as a siman, because the owner could have used the money to pay someone else.

However, a number of bills bundled together, a neat pile of coins, or money left in a specific location can serve as a siman, and you need to publicize it, as with any other aveidah (C.M. 262:11-13).

A person who finds money that he must publicize may not use it, but should keep it in a secure place (C.M. 267:25).

Nowadays, however, if you find a small sum and always have an equivalent amount readily available should the owner come to claim it, some allow using the money and recording the amount and relevant identifying features. (Hashavas Aveidah K’halachah 6:3).

If you find a check that was already made out and signed, you should return it to the payee, if it is uncommon to transfer checks to third parties. However, if the sum was not written, return the check to the account owner (Hashavas Aveidah K’halachah 12:2).