Some People Say The TSA Is Stealing Their Things. Here's What To Do If It Happens To You

In the U.S., the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was created in 2001 to mitigate threats and keep air travelers safe. Even if the TSA's dreaded liquid rule and the confusing protocol on laptops can be frustrating to deal with, the agency and its security officers play a vital role in keeping American airports safe. That said, not everyone associated with the TSA does the right thing all the time.

Some fliers have come forward with complaints that TSA officers have stolen their personal belongings straight out of their luggage. On TikTok, @techbyantrell shared that $100 worth of items were taken from a checked bag, which he claimed TSA was responsible for. "They literally snitched on themselves by putting a ticket in my bag that said TSA inspected my, the contents of my bag," the content creator explained. Redditors revealed similar stories in a r/TSA thread, though some had doubts. One user, who identified themselves as a transportation security officer, even noted that there are cameras everywhere to discourage stealing.

Surveillance hasn't prevented all theft, however. Two TSA agents were arrested in 2023 after camera footage caught them stealing cash from bags at a security checkpoint. The officers distracted the unsuspecting travelers standing nearby while snatching hundreds of dollars from their pockets and wallets.

Luggage getting lost during travel is among many fliers' biggest fears, and having something stolen from inside your bags isn't much better. If the item in question was put through the airport security checkpoint, you might want to start by contacting the airport's lost and found department to see if it was accidentally left behind or misplaced. If that doesn't help you locate your belongings, it's time to file a claim with TSA through the agency's website. In the form, provide as much detail about your lost item(s) as possible. After submitting your claim, expect to wait up to six months before receiving a resolution.

An official claim can be submitted for both carry-on and checked baggage. However, if your stolen goods were taken from a checked suitcase, filing a report with the airline you flew with is a good idea. Sometimes, airline baggage handlers — not TSA officers — are responsible for lost and stolen property. Therefore, it's good to cover your bases and file a claim with both.

Finally, check any benefits available to you through travel insurance or credit card perks. You could be entitled to compensation for your lost items. Note that you may be required to file a police report first before being eligible.

Thieves can be sneaky, especially when they work inside the airport. TSA-approved luggage locks only make it easier for some unscrupulous security officers to get into your luggage behind closed doors, and security personnel even have the right to cut any locks that are difficult to open. Then there are the baggage handlers, who have access to luggage in places where few people are around. To put it simply, even the most careful traveler could become a victim.

Still, a few common-sense tips could keep your belongings safe from the rare bad apple. For starters, keep valuables in your carry-on when possible, rather than your checked luggage. Though TSA officers have been caught stealing from carry-on bags in the past, it's much harder to steal at the airport checkpoint compared to an employees-only screening room. Remain alert in the security line, and — as much as you can — don't let your bags out of your sight. To be extra safe, do a quick check of the contents of your bag after it's been scanned, and immediately report if something's missing.

It also helps to think like a thief and consider what could make your luggage more or less attractive to someone with sticky fingers. For instance, using flashy purses and luggage with designer labels could entice someone looking to steal expensive goods. Meanwhile, plastic wrap on your luggage can fend off a TSA agent or baggage handler just looking for easy loot.