You are walking through a store. Waiting for a bus. Standing in a parking lot. And then you see someone who doesn't quite fit — maybe they're disoriented, maybe they're being watched by someone who seems controlling, maybe something about their situation just feels wrong.
Most people freeze. They convince themselves they're overthinking it and walk away. That silence can cost critical time in a missing persons case.
Here is what to actually do.
Recognize the Signs
Not every missing person looks like a movie poster. Many appear completely ordinary until you notice one or more of these indicators:
- They appear lost or disoriented — in a place where most people would know where they are going, like a major transit hub or hospital
- They can't identify themselves or give a coherent story — especially children or young adults
- They're with someone who won't let them speak freely — controlling body language, speaking for them, visible discomfort on the missing person's part
- They match a description you've seen recently — a local news alert, a community post, a case on FindThem
- They're in an unusual place for their situation — someone clearly not homeless sleeping rough, a child alone at night, a person who seems to be avoiding certain locations
None of these alone guarantees someone is in trouble. But they are reasons to pay attention, not walk faster.
Prioritize Your Safety
Your safety comes first — always. Do not put yourself in a situation where you could become a second victim.
Do not confront anyone. If the person is with someone who may be holding them against their will, confronting that person can escalate the situation and put the missing person at greater risk. Note what you see from a safe distance and report it.
Do not follow them. If they leave the area, don't trail them in your car or on foot. You lose the ability to give an accurate location and you may spook anyone who is controlling the situation.
Do take a photo if you can do it safely and discreetly. A photo from across the street — no approach, no contact — can be enormously helpful to investigators. It does not put you at risk and it gives them a real reference point.
Document What You Saw
Before you do anything else, write down everything you can remember. Details fade fast from memory — within minutes you start filling in gaps unconsciously. Capture:
- Location — exact address, cross-streets, business name, floor or area if inside
- Time — what time did you see them?
- Physical description — approximate age, height, build, hair color and length, skin tone, any visible tattoos or scars
- Clothing — colors and styles of shirt, pants, shoes. Layers if applicable.
- Direction of travel — which way did they go after you saw them?
- Who they were with — describe anyone else present and their relationship to the person
- Any vehicle — make, model, color, partial license plate (don't chase it)
Even partial information helps. Investigators work with fragments all the time.
When to Call 911 vs. a Non-Emergency Line
Call 911 immediately if:
- The person appears to be in physical danger or medical distress
- You believe they are being abducted right now
- Someone is actively threatening you or others
In these cases, stay on the line with the dispatcher. Give them everything you documented. Stay available in the area if you can do so safely.
Use the local non-emergency number if:
- The person appears safe but you believe they may be missing or in distress
- You have a possible sighting of a missing person from a public alert
- You want to file a tip but there is no active emergency
Search "[your city] [police/sheriff] non-emergency number" to find the right line. Many departments also have online tip forms.
Report to National Resources
After contacting local law enforcement, submit a tip to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at missingkids.org or call their 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678). NCMEC forwards tips directly to the investigating agency — even if you don't know which agency is handling the case.
If you saw a specific case number or person with an entry in the NCMEC database, include that in your tip. It fast-tracks the connection to the right investigator.
Submit Your Sighting to FindThem
FindThem routes community sighting reports to the agency contacts on file for relevant cases. You can submit an anonymous report in under 60 seconds — no account, no personal information, no follow-up required.
The report goes to the investigators working the case closest to where you saw the person. Multiple independent sightings in the same area are actually valuable to investigators — they establish patterns and corroborate leads.
Get alerts for missing persons near you →
What You Should NOT Do
Don't post the person's photo on social media. Even if your intentions are good, a public post can alert whoever is with the missing person before investigators have a chance to act. Keep tips in official channels.
Don't assume someone else will report it. People often convince themselves someone else must have already called. That's how tips never get filed.
Don't wait until you're certain. You don't need to be sure. "I saw someone who might fit this description" is a perfectly valid report. Investigators would rather evaluate uncertain leads than miss confirmed sightings.
Don't worry about wasting anyone's time. There is no tip too small. A location you thought was irrelevant may be exactly where investigators have been searching. Report it and let them decide.
The 24-Hour Myth
You may have heard that law enforcement can't act until someone has been missing for 24 hours. That is mostly false for adults, and completely false for children and vulnerable adults. Most states have no waiting period for reporting a missing person, and agencies will take a tip about a possible sighting immediately regardless of how long the person has been missing.
If you saw someone today, report it today.
Stay Alert: Enable Proximity Alerts
The most useful sighting reports come from people who were in the right place at the right time. You can increase the odds of being that person by enabling FindThem proximity alerts — we'll notify you when you're near a location connected to an active missing persons case in your area.
It's free, anonymous, and takes under 30 seconds to set up.
Get alerts for missing persons near you →
If you see something, say something. That person may have family who hasn't given up — and your report could be the lead that brings them home.