In episode 40, I talked about how to get your camera back if lost, but what about a cell phone or PDA (or even your laptop)? Here's a quick tip to improve your chances of getting it back:

If your phone has a "Welcome message" available, use the message, "Reward if found, (your home phone number)." That way, even if not altruistic, they'll call your home phone (or whatever number would work best--not your spouse's in case they're lost together!) hoping for the reward. Make sure you actually do give them a fair reward--they've earned it. I suggest the used/ebay value of the device.

If your smartphone or PDA has a password screen, for the password message, use the same "Reward if found, phone #" message as your password hint or display message, depending what's available.

I also recommend an address label on it somewhere, just in case the battery's dead when found. A phone number next to that wouldn't hurt, either.