Lost something on vacation? How likely is it to be found?

You're back from vacation, unpacking, when that sinking feeling hits.

You've left something behind.

It happens to the best of us. So you call the hotel or rental car company, hoping your missing item will be in the lost and found — but often, it isn't.

So where does it go? To find out, Rossen Reports purposely left iPads behind at major hotels and rental car companies, then returned to try and reclaim them — with hidden cameras rolling. The results were revealing.

Below, TODAY national investigative correspondent demonstrates how to remotely wipe personal data from a lost iPhone or iPad.

To suggest a topic for an upcoming investigation, visit the Rossen Reports Facebook page.