Will Covid Speed Up the Introduction of the Cashless Economy?

[Pucksoppet]

I use cash whenever possible because I like the anonymity. I'm still using cash for my one shopping trip a week; I can't see any risk because it's been sitting in my wallet for the last week so won't be contaminated, and I wash my hands promptly after handling my change.

I found 10 on the street today, do you think it is contaminated? How long should I leave it in my wallet before I spend it?

Send it to me, and I will dispose of it safely for you. You can't be too careful.*

*Actually, formally, I think you are supposed to hand it in at a police station in case someone who has lost it comes looking, and you have to wait six months before you can do anything with it. In principle, if you do not do this, you can be convicted of "stealing by finding".

[Herainestold]

I am not in the US, and I am not going to give it to you. Thanks for your advice.

[Pucksoppet]

I am not in the US, and I am not going to give it to you. Thanks for your advice.

In England & Wales, Section 1 of the Theft Act (1968) applies.

1 Basic definition of theft.

(1)A person is guilty of theft if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it; and “thief” and “steal” shall be construed accordingly.

(2)It is immaterial whether the appropriation is made with a view to gain, or is made for the thief’s own benefit.

https://criminaldefence.info/theft/

If you are accused of theft, the prosecution must prove that:

You dishonestly took property,
That property belonged to somebody else, and
That you intended that the true owner would never get the property back

It is not necessary for the property to be taken directly from the rightful owner, so if you find an item in the street and take it, that still qualifies as property belonging to somebody else.

At the same time, it is not necessary that you intended to keep the item yourself. If you pass it to someone else, or dispose of it so the original owner can not get it back, that will be enough to satisfy the intention needed for this offence.

[Herainestold]

Hmm. So I better not give it to you.