How Lost Luggage Is Going Viral on TikTok: Prevent This Alarming Trend

How Lost Luggage Is Going Viral on TikTok: Prevent This Alarming Trend

April 17, 2025
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It's a common nightmare for travelers boarding a plane: the dread of potentially losing their cherished possessions forever.

Now, an alarming new TikTok The trend has instilled a fresh dread among frequent travelers due to an increase in what’s called "lost luggage auctions." This involves unclaimed suitcases being sold at auctions and subsequently opening these bags on video.

In a widely shared clip with over 14 million views, Becky Chorlton from Lymm in Cheshire invested £80 in discarded baggage found at an airport. London 's Heathrow Airport.

Although the airport retains passengers' belongings for as long as three months, items that remain unclaimed for extended durations are occasionally handed over to auction houses. These establishments subsequently offer the luggage and their contents for sale to the top bidders.

Becky turned to TikTok to showcase some recently bought products only to discover that the Delsy suitcase she had won in an auction, typically priced at about £275 at Selfridges, was filled with items like undergarments and a navy blue Tommy Hilfiger women’s waterproof jacket, which retails for approximately £100.

Audiences swiftly flocked to the comment section of the broadly shared video to voice their indignation over this emerging trend. One viewer commented that they felt 'intruded upon' knowing a stranger could acquire their misplaced possessions, while another added: 'A new level of anxiety has been reached: seeing an influencer joyfully dismantle my lost baggage on TikTok.'

After the success of her latest acquisition, Becky decided to share on Instagram the contents of another discarded suitcase she had purchased.

To her astonishment, she discovered a white iPad.

Even though the influencer was uncertain about the specific generation, Apple started phasing out the middle button in 2021.

Since this iPad features a home button, it suggests that it is likely at least four years old and might sell for approximately £150 as a used device.

Currently, as many as 100,000 bags vanish each day, leading more individuals to attempt purchasing discarded suitcases in pursuit of financial gain. To help prevent this issue, Alicia Hempsted, a travel insurance specialist at MoneySuperMarket, has provided valuable advice to keep your belongings safe during travels.

Initially, and well before setting foot on an aircraft, Alicia recommends that travelers pay close attention to the details of their baggage insurance.

She stated, "Regardless of whether you're going on a family vacation or a business trip, ensuring that your belongings are insured can help alleviate stress and reduce costs."

Although she claims that much of the travel insurance probably comes with ' baggage coverage as standard,' it is crucial to examine exactly what this coverage entails. The travel expert suggests obtaining additional protection for individuals who are traveling with expensive possessions.

Alicia similarly recommends buying a gadget cover, typically an extra option, for costly devices such as laptops or smartphones, and suggesting that you declare valuable possessions like jewelry or designer clothes since they might necessitate extra coverage.

When preparing for your highly anticipated journey, the insurance specialist recommends setting aside some time to catalog your essential items. Take pictures of your clothing so that you can maintain an accurate record of what’s inside your luggage.

She stated: "Photograph your belongings to record their state prior to packaging them, and whenever feasible, add receipts to substantiate their worth. Such documentation might be crucial if you have to file a claim later."

Ms. Hempstead also recommends adorning your bags with distinctive decorations and labels (and remembering to verify these details when retrieving them after traveling), while crucial belongings should be kept in your carry-on luggage.

Ms. Hempsted suggests that for individuals who are extremely concerned about the possibility of their belongings getting lost, purchasing a GPS tracker could be both a practical and comforting solution.

In November 2024, a minimum of 15 prominent U.S. airlines, including United Airlines has announced the introduction of a new 'Share Item Location' feature designed for Apple AirTag users, aimed at helping travelers locate their misplaced belongings.

In conclusion, vacationers should steer clear of brief stopovers, as tight connections and hasty transfers can heighten the chance of luggage being misplaced.

Even with these preventive measures, should your luggage still disappear in the worst-case scenario, Ms. Hempsted emphasizes that 'prompt action is crucial.'

She commented, "Promptly reporting the loss, maintaining all relevant documents, and providing evidence of your possessions will significantly streamline the claims procedure."

Although numerous travelers might feel discouraged when considering filing a claim, Ms. Hempsted likewise insists that you shouldn't 'abandon all hope,' as your belongings could potentially be recovered.

Meanwhile, along with coordinating with the airline and understanding their particular policies, she suggests verifying whether your travel insurance includes coverage for urgent needs such as clothes and toiletries to help you get through the situation.

What is the process for purchasing lost luggage?

As per the Money Saving Expert blog, numerous auction houses deal with abandoned baggage and operate in various ways.

Wellers and Mulberry Bank exclusively deal with empty cases; the contents within these cases are removed and sold individually.

While Greaseby’s and BCVA do sell empty suitcases, they also provide some that contain clothing and various other items.

Certain auction houses may allow you to inspect the contents of a lot before buying it, while some only provide descriptions like 'women's clothing.'

The cost may range from £10 to £80, based on whether the cases are filled or not.

Prior to selling them off, airlines will open the cases, take out all forms of identification like IDs, and ensure that everything inside the case complies with regulations.

Auction houses will subsequently exclude high-value items like electronics, jewelry, and perfumes, as mentioned in the blog.

As stated by Money Saving Expert, if an airline misplaces your baggage, you must file a claim within seven days. Should they fail to locate it within 21 days, your suitcase will be considered officially lost.

Source: Money Saving Expert

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