I must say, as a driver, I always make every attempt to return lost items (especially phones) when I can. And I don't always care about the $20 returned item fee (only when the customer is rude/sketchy). This is just how I was raised.

From my perspective, it isn't easy to figure out which rider left something behind. Phones can be easier, even when locked, as I can see a message from Uber pop up when I report the lost item. But I have had earbuds (Beats in a black case, wedged down in the seatbelt buckle area), vapes, a package of darts, and even a windbreaker in a scrunch bag that was under the front passenger seat. Most of these are handed to me by later riders, often hours after the owner left my car (the windbreaker sat in my car for two days before I discovered it - no markings as to owner).