Rewarding honesty

If-Found MD, Steve English, says the tags present an honesty incentive for people who find missing valuables. "I strongly believe the majority of people want to do the right thing and return lost items. This product gives them the opportunity to do so and be rewarded in the process," he says.

The tags, which are available at participating retailers, Dis-Chem and Game, have unique codes that are linked to the user's name, contact details and the relevant item when he or she registers online or via sms.

Lucky draw rewards finders

While tag owners can offer a nominal reward to the finder if they wish, English says people who report missing items can enter into a monthly reward draw and stand a chance to win prizes valued between R10 000 - R20 000. "They will also go into an end-of-year draw and be in line to win R1 million."

To date, the company has given away a 15" MacBook Pro worth R18 000 and a Marantz surround-sound system with speakers worth R18 500 to two good Samaritans.

There are three types of tags - iron-on tags (R29.95), sticker tags (R39.95) or stainless steel "key ring" tags (R59,95). Each single pack incorporates a one-year subscription.

English says he came up with the idea for tags when he nearly lost a valuable item at an international airport. "I realised that whoever found my valuable wouldn't have a clue how to return it to me - that's when the concept was born." After conducting thorough research, he discovered similar products around the world. "This is South African and I believe it will show that most people in this country have honesty as one of their core values," he concludes.